Hackensack Reservoir Number Two

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Hackensack Reservoir Number Two is a popular destination in New Jersey for hiking, fishing, and bird watching.


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Summary

Located in Bergen County, the reservoir offers scenic views of the surrounding woods and wildlife. Visitors can explore the reservoir's hiking trails, which are open year-round, and enjoy fishing for trout, bass, and panfish in the reservoir's clear waters.

The reservoir is also home to a variety of bird species, including bald eagles, ospreys, and great blue herons. Visitors can spot these birds from the reservoir's observation decks, and can even participate in guided bird watching tours offered by local organizations.

Interesting facts about Hackensack Reservoir Number Two include its history as a source of drinking water for the surrounding communities. The reservoir was built in the early 20th century to supply water to the growing population of northern New Jersey, and was used until the early 2000s when a newer water treatment plant was built nearby.

The best time of year to visit Hackensack Reservoir Number Two is in the spring, when the reservoir's woods and meadows are in bloom with wildflowers and migratory birds can be seen. However, the reservoir's hiking trails are also popular in the fall, when the surrounding woods are ablaze with autumn colors.

Overall, Hackensack Reservoir Number Two offers a peaceful and scenic retreat from the hustle and bustle of nearby cities, with opportunities for outdoor recreation and wildlife viewing.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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