Garret Mountain Reservation

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Garret Mountain

Garret Mountain Reservation sits atop 568 acres on First Watchung Mountain in Passaic County, New Jersey. The Passaic County Parks Department operates the park and it was designated a National Natural Landmark as part of the Great Falls of Paterson-Garret Mountain listing in 1967.

The Watchung Ridge served as a natural barrier between George Washington’s Troops and the British during the American Revolution. Catholina Lambert built a Medieval Revival-style castle up here in 1892. He owned a silk mill in nearby Paterson. Lambert Tower overlooks the area from the park.

Trudy and I met up here with Pooky’s Dog Walking Club. Together with a pack of friendly, leashed doggies, we walked past the pond to the overlook. We took a much-needed water break. The view is not too scenic from the ridge: Paterson, Route 80 and NYC off in the distance.

Somehow we managed to get a group photo with most facing the camera. Then, we continued around the loop past the tower and the equestrian center. We saw some deer along the way who didn’t even flinch at all the 4-legged traffic. We enjoyed socializing with other dogs in the nice urban oasis.


Location: 8 Mountain Ave, Woodland Park, NJ 07424
Designation: County Park
Date designated/established: 1967
Date of my visit: July 3, 2022

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