Home › New Jersey › Phillipsburg › Merrill Creek Reservoir I/O tower
Merrill Creek Reservoir I/O tower
4.8 ★★★★★ 118 Google reviews · Running trail in Phillipsburg, New Jersey · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Merrill Creek Reservoir I/O tower'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.
Hiking trails, bird watching, boating, fishing, and kayaking are offered at this serene lake area.
What runners say about Merrill Creek Reservoir I/O tower
“Beautiful view of the lake which is especially spectacular when snow geese are present.”
“Very calm and quiet place so relaxing u can enjoy almost everything here from sitting and watching the lake to hiking”
This is one of my favorite places around Pburg area. It doesn’t matter the season: Merrill Creek is always beautiful and peaceful. For the bird lovers they have some special spots to observe them. For fishing lovers the reservoir is stocked with trout and salmon. For nature and hiking lovers, you can’t go wrong here!
This is a fantastic place for a hike. The reservoir is a very serene and picturesque place, highly recommended!
Serene atmosphere. Come here for a hike or fishing or just for a peaceful walk
As a young child, I had the chance to go right to the bottom of the reservoir. It was an incredible sight then...the vastness of what was to come. I remember as I got older, my then fiancee and now husband and I would walk the trails. My daughter is an amateur photographer.
Trail conditions & character
“Though it circles the reservoir, about a mile of it on the west side has no view of the water.”
“Very calm and quiet place so relaxing u can enjoy almost everything here from sitting and watching the lake to hiking”
“Some sections are narrow and rocky, while others are a wide, smooth gravel road.”
Plan your run at Merrill Creek Reservoir I/O tower
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- Websitemerrill-creek.poi.place
Hours
| Monday | 6:30 am–6:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 6:30 am–6:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 6:30 am–6:30 pm |
| Thursday | 6:30 am–6:30 pm |
| Friday | 6:30 am–6:30 pm |
| Saturday | 6:30 am–6:30 pm |
| Sunday | 6:30 am–6:30 pm |
Running trails near Phillipsburg
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Warren Highlands Trail: Ragged Ridge
5 ★★★★★ 3 reviews
Gollub Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 84 reviews
Park featuring a walking trail through the woods and an overlook.
Roaring Rock Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 108 reviews
Park with kid-friendly hiking trails, jogging paths, and wildlife.
Walters Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 468 reviews
Spacious park with a playground, sports courts and a pool, plus picnic tables.
Morris Canal Greenway
3.6 ★★★★☆ 8 reviews