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Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
4.5 ★★★★★ 47 Google reviews · Running trail in Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- 27 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Mahlon Dickerson Reservation's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Relaxed park featuring a pond and trails for hiking and biking.
What runners say about Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
“The portapotty was very clean, considering its a portapotty and in the woods.”
“Beautiful park with miles and miles if both easy hiking and biking trails as well as challenging mountain bike terrain.”
“Beautiful quiet place for a walk at any pace”
Had a great time camping with 2 families at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation in August 2020. This review is mainly about our experience camping at the shelters (not the tents). MDR is a fairly secluded place, even if it's only 15 min from Rt. 80 in Jefferson. Pros: + secluded, private place.
Make sure you read the fine print. The RV sites do NOT allow ground fires. But that was our fault for not reading that. Beautiful campsites. I love that we arnt on top of our neighbor. Nice paths to the clean and maintained bathrooms. Nice council fire ring where you can have a fire and a large field to play on.
First time visiting - Nice RV Sites – Electric and water hookup available at each site – VERY clean bathrooms and showers (that was awesome) – Fire Wood available - Hiking trails - very helpful and friendly staff. A+++
Beautiful park with miles and miles if both easy hiking and biking trails as well as challenging mountain bike terrain. Places to camp and picnic as well.
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful park with miles and miles if both easy hiking and biking trails as well as challenging mountain bike terrain.”
“The lack of a full bathroom (there is one at the RV site about 1/4 mile away, not sure if it's open right now) was a drawback for some members of my family.”
“These 2-3 trails have to be the most technical and challenging trails in NJ!”
“Nice flat rail trail for easy hiking or biking plus plenty of other normal hiking trails.”
“Though there is a short walking path from the parking lot to the shelters, be prepared to carry your gear a couple hundred feet from the car to your shelter spot.”
“Weather cooperated and made a 3 mile hike into 6 miles .”
Plan your run at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Distance27 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitemorrisparks.net
- Phone+1 973-326-7631
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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