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South Mountain Trail Access

5 ★★★★★ 4 Google reviews · Running trail in Short Hills, New Jersey · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from South Mountain Trail Access' 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.

Open 24h

What runners say about South Mountain Trail Access

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (4 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

Great parking area to access trails in South Mountain Reservation and the factory ruins a mile to the south. No bike riding on these trails. No bathroom facilities at this area. Parking large enough for a dozen cars. Garbage cans stationed here.

★★★★★ — Cdk007 , Mar 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 4 reviews →

Plan your run at South Mountain Trail Access

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • 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.

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

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 South Mountain Trail Access

PPX2+23, Short Hills, NJ 07078

Get directions

Running trails near Short Hills

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

Hemlock Falls Trail Head

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under a mile away

Hemlock Falls

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Park with kid-friendly hiking trails, tree markings, and a waterfall.

under a mile away

Hiking Trail - South Mountain Reservoir

4.7 ★★★★★ 23 reviews

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Scenic

under a mile away

South Mountain Conservancy

4.5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews

West Orange, NJ

under a mile away

Tulip Springs

4.6 ★★★★★ 261 reviews

West Orange, NJ

LoopNatural surfaceScenic

Relaxed recreation area for hiking, picnics, camping and waterfalls.

under a mile away

Loop

South Orange Village, NJ

Loop

under a mile away

All running trails in Short Hills, 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.