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Mountainside Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 191 Google reviews · Running trail in Pompton Plains, New Jersey · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Mountainside Park'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.
Park with trails and Boy Scout encampments leading to a summit offering NYC views on clear days.
What runners say about Mountainside Park
“Trails are well maintained and marked clearly.”
“From there, a well-marked trail leads you over a few small streams and through two boy scout encampments before making the ascent up to top of the Pequannock Nob.”
Mountainside Park is an excellent park for hiking and exploring. The terrain is diverse and offers both well walked trails, as well as some tricky to navigate and steep rocky inclines. The trails are very well marked and easy to identify. Most of the trails link together into two large loops.
Great easy to moderate hiking park. It offers different loop options. Please keep it clean.
Love this mountain! Well maintained and clean . Come more times to try all the trails definitely!!!! Att my hiking track FYI. I took yellow, orange, then blue trail this time. Parking lot is tiny, only fit for six or seven cars.
Pretty great moderate-length hike for a great overlook. We basically walked around the perimeter of the park through the blue, then orange, and then red trails. Note that there are kind of 2 overlooks.
Trail conditions & character
“The view from the summit is excellent; one of the best in the state, allowing a 180-degree view of Pequannock valley out to the NYC skyline.”
“Also, the parking lot fits maybe 5 cars, but you can park on the side of the road that leads to the parking lot.”
“Back then, one had to start their ascent from West Parkway where the dog park is currently located, adding another 150 feet or so to the climb.”
“Good trail, some parts are rocky but it's very easy to navigate due to the blue markings which are located in the trees.”
“Back then, one had to start their ascent from West Parkway where the dog park is currently located, adding another 150 feet or so to the climb.”
“From there, a well-marked trail leads you over a few small streams and through two boy scout encampments before making the ascent up to top of the Pequannock Nob.”
Plan your run at Mountainside Park
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.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–8 pm |
Running trails near Pompton Plains
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Pequannock Valley Park
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