HomeNew JerseyClinton › Spruce Run Recreation Area

Spruce Run Recreation Area

4.4 ★★★★☆ 2,113 Google reviews · Running trail in Clinton, New Jersey · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Spruce Run Recreation Area'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.

ScenicDog-friendlyRestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

What runners say about Spruce Run Recreation Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (2,113 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 20 mentions

“Great campsite and grounds, well maintained bathrooms and picnic areas, beautiful vistas with the sunsets and even moonrise over the reservoir.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 12 mentions

“Great campsite and grounds, well maintained bathrooms and picnic areas, beautiful vistas with the sunsets and even moonrise over the reservoir.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“It has great view and really quiet area for family gatherings, the bathrooms and park areas are clean.”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“Definitely family friendly, I would recommend to anyone looking for a good state park.”

The beach has been shut down for swimming for a number of years. You can't rent boat's anymore either, but it is a decent place for a day trip. There is a good amount of roadway and walking paths, plus you can take some beautiful pictures of the water and trees.

★★★★★ — Philip , Oct 2024

Great campsite and grounds, well maintained bathrooms and picnic areas, beautiful vistas with the sunsets and even moonrise over the reservoir. Such a shame that the officials and government of NJ are allowing this place to go to waste, literally We are the Garden state after all but instead let areas fall apart and…

★★★★★ — R , Sep 2025

Nice location very few people around that day. There are picnic benches scattered all over. Nice views overlooking the water. Nice shaded picnic areas with seating and room for friendly gatherings. You can bring the whole family and there's plenty of space. Large grass fields for picnicking and relaxing.

★★★★☆ — Bk , Sep 2021

What a great park. The playground has a large variety of activities. There are three slides, making the wait shorter, as kids have an enormous amount of patience. The drop pole is a nice challenge as is the mini rock wall. From the parkinglot is a long walk for the little ones and circuitous route with a stroller.

★★★★★ — T , May 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 2,113 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 20 mentions

“Great campsite and grounds, well maintained bathrooms and picnic areas, beautiful vistas with the sunsets and even moonrise over the reservoir.”

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🚻 Restrooms 8 mentions

“Great campsite and grounds, well maintained bathrooms and picnic areas, beautiful vistas with the sunsets and even moonrise over the reservoir.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“It has great view and really quiet area for family gatherings, the bathrooms and park areas are clean.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“Beautiful green open areas, plenty of picnic spaces and anole parking.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 3 mentions

“Also, dog's and alcohol are prohibited from the campground.”

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Plan your run at Spruce Run Recreation Area

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • 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
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitenj.gov
  • Phone+1 908-638-8572

Hours

Monday 8 am–8 pm
Tuesday 8 am–8 pm
Wednesday 8 am–8 pm
Thursday 8 am–8 pm
Friday 8 am–8 pm
Saturday 8 am–8 pm
Sunday 8 am–8 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 Spruce Run Recreation Area

68 Van Syckels Rd, Clinton, NJ 08809

Get directions

Running trails near Clinton

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

Walking trail

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Columbia Trail (High Bridge)

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15 miCrushed gravelShadedScenic

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Hunts Mills Park

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Ken Lockwood Gorge Wildlife Management Area

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Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Picturesque forestland offering hiking along the Columbia Trail, mountain biking or stream fishing.

3.6 miles away

Landsdown Meadow and Trail

4.5 ★★★★★ 30 reviews

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Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

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All running trails in Clinton, 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.