Mountain Reserve Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Mountain Reserve Park is a popular natural park located in the state of New Jersey.
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Summary
It is a great place to visit for outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers, hikers, and families. The park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including more than 200 species of birds. It spans over 400 acres and features several hiking trails, scenic overlooks, picnic areas, and a lake for fishing and boating.
One of the main attractions in the park is the Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area, which is a large rock formation that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area. The park also has several other points of interest, including the Split Rock Reservoir, the Pyramid Mountain Visitor Center, and the William G. Mennen Sports Arena.
Interesting facts about the area include that it was once a hunting ground for the Lenape Indians and that it was used as a Revolutionary War encampment site. It also contains several geological formations, including the famous Tripod Rock, which is a 180-ton boulder balanced on three smaller rocks.
The best time of year to visit Mountain Reserve Park is in the spring or fall when the weather is mild, and the foliage is at its peak. Summer is also a popular time to visit, but it can get crowded, and the temperatures can be hot and humid. Winter is also a great time to visit for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Overall, Mountain Reserve Park is a beautiful and unique natural area that offers something for everyone. With its hiking trails, scenic views, and interesting geological features, it is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting the state of New Jersey.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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.
Related References
High Mountain Wilderness Park
North Haledon Recreation Field
Barbour Pond Park
Shai Shacknai Memorial Park
Goffle Brook Park