Home › New Jersey › Ringwood › Shepherd Lake Recreation Area
Shepherd Lake Recreation Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 191 Google reviews · Running trail in Ringwood, New Jersey · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
We have not been able to confirm the surface, distance or shape of Shepherd Lake Recreation Area yet from its own listing, the park's website or runner reviews — so those cells stay blank rather than guess. What is below comes straight from the listing and from reviewers' own words. 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 featuring picnic tables, trails and a playground, as well as a lake.
What runners say about Shepherd Lake Recreation Area
“Beautiful lake in the Ringwood state park Very nice and clean lake area with plenty on parking space You can day camp or bbq here Lots of things to do with family and friends”
“Beautiful lake in the Ringwood state park Very nice and clean lake area with plenty on parking space You can day camp or bbq here Lots of things to do with family and friends”
Beautiful setting! Playground, boat rentals, picnic tables, a lone basketball hoop, and hiking/biking trails. Plenty of parking. Fee charged seasonally. Unfortunately, swimming is not allowed due to a lack of lifeguards.
Nice place to have a relaxes time with your family and Friends. Place has a nice biking and hiking trails which you will enjoy. There are picnic areas and tables ,some part of the picnic areas need shade tho. If you are planing to picnic there in a busy weekend consider bringing something for shade.
Agree that it is a nice gem in NNJ for picnicking, boating, hiking and mountain biking. Just be aware that the shooting range is there. On weekends I hear gunshots every few seconds. Doesn’t really fit with the tranquility of the lake and woods, but that’s just me.
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful lake in the Ringwood state park Very nice and clean lake area with plenty on parking space You can day camp or bbq here Lots of things to do with family and friends”
“Beautiful lake in the Ringwood state park Very nice and clean lake area with plenty on parking space You can day camp or bbq here Lots of things to do with family and friends”
“Beautiful area, wide open grounds, lots of benches and grill, bathroom facility.”
Plan your run at Shepherd Lake Recreation Area
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- 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, restrooms — reported by runners
Running trails near Ringwood
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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