A Guide to the Bergen County Parks System
The Bergen County Park System covers 9,800 acres and serves nearly a million residents from Lyndhurst to Mahwah and everywhere in between. Since 1946, these parks have offered majestic views of rivers and lakes, various sports courts and fields, dog parks, and playgrounds. Read on for a guide to 15 parks in the Bergen County Parks System.
Artesian Fields County Park | 211 Mola Boulevard, Elmwood Park
Artesian Fields County Park encompasses over 40 acres in Elmwood Park. This heavily wooded park has walking paths and baseball fields.
Read More: 65 Bucket List-Worthy Activities in Bergen County, New Jersey
Belmont Hill County Park | 79 Botany Street, Garfield
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The Belmont Hill County Park is a quaint 10-acre park atop Belmont Hill in Garfield. Construction on this spot began in 1959. It provides a sprawling lawn, playground, and views of Manhattan.
Borg's Woods Nature Preserve | Allen Street + Fairmount Avenue, Hackensack
Borg's Woods Nature Preserve is a 15-acre nature preserve with woodlands and wetlands located in Hackensack. Some trees here may be over 200 years old. The spot was named for John Borg, founder of the Bergen Record.
Campgaw Mountain Reservation | 200 Campgaw Road, Mahwah
Campgaw Mountain Reservation is a 1,373-acre wooded park with archery, disc golf, skiing, picnic areas, snowboarding, snow tubing, and even camping. Campsites are available yearly from April to November by permit.
Dahnert's Lake County Park | 411 Midland Avenue, Garfield
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Nestled in Garfield and just a few blocks from the Plauderville Station, the Dahnert's Lake County Park provides a green oasis in the heart of a dense suburban community. This park includes a lake with two gazeboes, a playground, and a hockey rink. Just across the street from the Garfield Public Library and near several pizza spots, Dahnert's Lake County Park is the ideal place for nature lovers looking to read and get a quick slice.
Darling County Park | 600 Darling Avenue, Mahwah
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Darling County Park, Mahwah’s prime summertime spot, encompasses 127 acres featuring a swimming lake, a splash zone, volleyball courts, basketball courts, biking and walking paths, grilling spots, and picnic areas.
Hackensack River County Park + Pathway | 65 Central Avenue, Hackensack
The Hackensack River County Park covers 28 acres. Located adjacent to the Hackensack River, the pathway stretches from the Riverside Square Mall in River Edge to Johnson Municipal Park in Hackensack. Running across the Hackensack River is a bridge connecting the park to Teaneck and Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Overpeck County Park | 40 Fort Lee Road, Leonia
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More than 50 years ago, Englewood, Leonia, Palisades Park, Ridgefield Park, and Teaneck came together and donated hundreds of acres of land to Bergen County. This land, surrounding Overpeck Creek, overs over 770 acres with athletic tracks and fields, a playground, a calisthenics gym, a dog park, pickleball courts, a football field, picnic and fishing areas, a canoe/kayak launch, a grass amphitheater, and miles of trails. Those living in Leonia and Palisades Park can easily reach Overpeck County Park on foot.
Pascack Brook County Park | 150 Emerson Road, Westwood
Located in Westwood, the Pascack Brook County Park has several tennis courts, a playground, baseball fields, and a small pond. A path connects it to nearby Hegeman Park, Westvale Park, and West Woof Dog Park.
Ramapo Valley County Reservation | 608-610 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah
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Ramapo Valley County Reservation is Bergen County’s largest park by area. Visitors can hike, admire nature, ski, and even camp between April and November. This park also features the Saddle Ridge Riding Center, a county-owned facility privately operated by Saddle Ridge Riding Center, Inc.. This organization provides a full-service equestrian facility.
Riverside County Park | 26 Bogle Drive, Lyndhurst
Located in Lyndhurst and North Arlington, Riverside County Park covers over 85 acres along the Passaic River. The part is split into two. The northern portion of the park is in Lyndhurst and the southern in North Arlington. Amenities here include tennis courts, bocce courts, a dog park, a calisthenics gym, picnic areas, pickleball courts, a cricket field, a track, a football field, walking paths, a state-of-the-art Rowing Center, and an amphitheater. Belleville residents can ditch the car and reach either portion of the park by crossing Route 21 on foot.
Saddle River County Park | 760 Saddle River Road, Saddle Brook
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Saddle River County Park stretches 577 acres through Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Paramus, Ridgewood, Rochelle Park, and Saddle Brook. It consists of several areas: Wild Duck Pond Area, Fair Lawn Area, Glen Rock Area, Dunkerhook Area, Otto C. Pehle Area, and Rochelle Park Area. These areas are linked by multi-use paths equipped for walking, running, biking, and wheelchair use. This spot features a scenic waterfall at Dunkerhook Park and has three ponds, picnic areas, pavilions, playgrounds, basketball courts, tennis courts, and athletic fields. History lovers can stop by the Jacob Vanderbeck Jr. House and Naugle House, which borders the park.
Samuel Nelkin County Park | Rose Street, Wallington
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Tucked against a hillside in Wallington, Samuel Nelkin County Park features a variety of options for visitors including a large playground, dog park, pickleball courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, a dog park, and tennis courts.
Van Saun County Park | 216 Forest Avenue, Paramus
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Located in both Paramus and River Edge, Van Saun County Park includes picnic areas, baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, soccer fields, a playground, and the Bergen County Zoological Park.
See More: A Guide To The Essex County Parks System
Wood Dale County Park | 100 Prospect Avenue, Woodcliff Lake
Developed in the 1960s and tucked in a residential neighborhood, the Wood Dale County Park is a 118-acre oasis with a pond, a gazebo, tennis courts, a picnic area, and a playground. It is also a quick walk from the Woodcliff Lake Station.
