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The Meadows
4.5 ★★★★★ 29 Google reviews · Running trail in Highland Park, 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 The Meadows 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.
What runners say about The Meadows
“Adjacent to Donaldson Park and along the Raritan river, the Meadows is a small section of woods with a well marked hiking trail.”
“Quiet, peaceful and not crowded.”
An easy, pleasant walk through the woods along the river. Right next to Donaldson Park, you can access the trail there or there’s a small outlet at a nearby apartment complex. There is often a group of deer that can be spotted. A good spot to clear your head.
Great little walking area, dog friendly. The route I took was about 0.7 miles. I was quite surprised to see lots of active wildlife in the area, i.e., squirrels, deer, lots of birds: yellow-rumped warblers, ruby-crowned kinglets, carolina wrens, and the usual cardinals, grackles, robins.
Enjoyed a lovely walk on this well kept trail with my 4 year old. Kid friendly and well marked and maintained. Handsome local guide that was tending to a bridge was very knowledgeable about flora and fauna which added to the experience.
Adjacent to Donaldson Park and along the Raritan river, the Meadows is a small section of woods with a well marked hiking trail. It's a nice place to take a stroll. We saw quite a few deer along the way.
Trail conditions & character
“Adjacent to Donaldson Park and along the Raritan river, the Meadows is a small section of woods with a well marked hiking trail.”
Plan your run at The Meadows
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.
Running trails near Highland Park
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Donaldson Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,433 reviews
90-acre riverfront park provides sports fields & courts, picnic groves, a dog park & 2 playgrounds.
Valley Place Ravine
4.3 ★★★★☆ 18 reviews
Rutgers Gardens Via Helyar Woods Trail
4.4 ★★★★☆ 19 reviews
Rutgers Eco Preserve Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 23 reviews
Johnson Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,036 reviews
Spacious green space with tennis courts and a mini zoo featuring goats, deer, sheep, birds, and horses.
Johnson Park - Grove 4
4.5 ★★★★★ 144 reviews
Public and family-friendly recreational zone for walking and picnicking along the Raritan River and lake, plus a zoo.