HomeNew JerseyNorth Arlington › Sawmill Creek Trail & Transco Trail

Sawmill Creek Trail & Transco Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 67 Google reviews · Running trail in North Arlington, New Jersey · Dawn to dusk

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
1.2 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Dawn to dusk

Confirmed from Sawmill Creek Trail & Transco Trail'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.

Mixed1.2 miScenicDog-friendlyFlat & fastRestroomsTrailhead parking

Park with a 1-mi. trail surrounded by water, good for walking and bird-watching.

What runners say about Sawmill Creek Trail & Transco Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (67 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“Nice place to have walking, well maintained trails with beautiful small bushes and flowers.”

Anyone who has driven along the northern section of the New Jersey Turnpike will be familiar with the large salt marsh known as the Meadowlands, and those wishing to explore this area may think their only option is a small boat, but unbeknownst to many there are a series of trails from which one can explore, bird…

★★★★★ — Cdk007 , Nov 2025

A fantastic little dare I say hidden gem in the meadowlands area. I recently discovered this and now I’m there at least once a week, taking a walk or riding my bike. Great place for bird watching and photography too! I could do without the smell but hey you’re in the meadowlands!

★★★★☆ — Kc , Sep 2021

a lot of trails and space to run, bike, and walk Great views and very peaceful. The only caveat is the safety: be careful walking on the trails! There are no fences and it’s up to the individual to be cautious

★★★★★ — Elaine , Mar 2025

The best place to go in nature during this covid times! The place is also very good for photoshoots. There you will get to see lot of birds. Different flowers and a very pleasant trail for a long walk. At a small patch there are flies which might bother you but just walk fast. It is pretty safe and serene

★★★★☆ — Madhavi , May 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 67 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 6 mentions

“These twin trails provide marvelous views of opposite sides of Kingsland Creek, an inlet of the Hackensack River and the wildlife within.”

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🪨 Crushed gravel / limestone 3 mentions

“We'll maintained path with some parts fine gravel and some larger loose gravel.”

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Flat & fast 3 mentions

“They were built on drained land from Kingsland Creek, and while several feet above water level, the trails at extremely high tide, can be impassable.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“Parking for these trails is just north west of the trailhead along Disposal Road.”

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🪵 Boardwalk

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🚻 Restrooms

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🐕 Dog-friendly

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Plan your run at Sawmill Creek Trail & Transco Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • Distance1.2 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitenjsea.com

Hours

Monday 6 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–9 PM
Thursday 6 AM–9 PM
Friday 6 AM–9 PM
Saturday 6 AM–9 PM
Sunday 6 AM–9 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Sawmill Creek Trail & Transco Trail

North Arlington, New Jersey

Get directions

Running trails near North Arlington

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Richard W. DeKorte Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,385 reviews

Lyndhurst, NJ

BoardwalkScenicDog-friendly

Estuary park with walking paths plus an environmental center & observatory access on select days.

under a mile away

Riverside County Park–South (North Arlington Area)

4.6 ★★★★★ 107 reviews

Lyndhurst, NJ

Scenic

Park with a playground and picnic tables, plus space for baseball, running, and other sports.

1.6 miles away

Price Path

4.5 ★★★★★ 13 reviews

North Arlington, NJ

1.6 miles away

Gunnell Oval

4.6 ★★★★★ 373 reviews

Kearny, NJ

ShadedScenic

Green space offering baseball fields, soccer fields, a basketball court & a play area.

2.2 miles away

Riverside County Park Joseph Carucci Area

4.5 ★★★★★ 1,079 reviews

Lyndhurst, NJ

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Open space along the Passaic River with a dog park, picnic facilities & sports fields with a track.

2.2 miles away

Glotzbach Memorial Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 103 reviews

Nutley, NJ

Lit

Popular, maintained recreation area featuring 2 baseball diamonds and a playground.

2.2 miles away

All running trails in North Arlington, NJ →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.