Ringwood State Park

Ringwood State Park covers 4,444 acres in the Ramapo Highlands of northern New Jersey, offering a combination of colonial and industrial history, glacial lake recreation, and forested ridge trails that sets it apart from most parks in New Jersey. The park is divided into three distinct sections: Ringwood Manor, Shepherd Lake, and Skylands Manor, each with its own character and draw. That variety makes it one of the more rewarding parks in the state, capable of filling a full day or providing a focused afternoon depending on what you come for.

Ringwood Manor and Skylands: The Historic Core

The park’s most distinctive feature is its pair of historic manor properties, which together tell a long story of iron production, industrial wealth, and landscape design in northern New Jersey.

Ringwood Manor was the center of an iron-making operation dating to the mid-1700s. The manor house grew substantially over the following century and a half, ultimately becoming a sprawling 51-room structure associated with the Cooper and Hewitt families, prominent figures in American industrial history. The grounds include a collection of iron artifacts, ornamental gardens, and outbuildings. Interior public tours are currently closed during an exterior restoration project, but outdoor tours, events, and the carriage barn exhibit operate seasonally. Check current scheduling through the park or New Jersey State Parks.

Skylands Manor, located in the Ringwood section now associated with the New Jersey Botanical Garden, sits within New Jersey’s official botanical garden. The grounds include formal and informal garden areas planted across decades, including a lilac garden, a peony garden, and a crabapple collection that draws visitors in spring. The manor house itself is a Tudor Revival structure built in the 1920s. Even without entering any buildings, the gardens alone merit a dedicated visit.

Shepherd Lake and Water Recreation

Shepherd Lake is the recreational heart of the park during summer. The lake has a sandy swimming beach with lifeguards on duty during the summer season, along with a bathhouse, picnic areas, and a snack facility. Rowboat and paddleboat rentals are available when the concession is operating.

The lake also draws anglers, with largemouth bass, pickerel, and panfish present. A valid New Jersey fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.

Trails Through the Highlands

The trail network at Ringwood connects to the broader Ramapo Mountain State Forest and extends into the surrounding ridge terrain. Trails range from easy walks near the manor properties to moderate ridge hikes with rocky stretches and elevation gain. The Crossover Trail and the Ringwood-Ramapo Trail corridor pass through the park and connect to longer-distance routes for those looking to cover more ground.

Views from higher elevations open up across the Highlands terrain, especially in the colder months when the canopy is down. Trail footing can be uneven, and some sections involve scrambling over exposed rock. Sturdy footwear is strongly recommended.

Pet Policy

Leashed pets are welcome on trails and in most open areas of the park. Pets are not permitted on the Shepherd Lake beach or in any swimming areas. Keep dogs under control at all times, both for the safety of other visitors and because wildlife encounters, including bears, are a real possibility in this park. Clean up after pets throughout the park.

Wildlife to Be Aware Of

Black bears are present throughout the Ringwood area and the surrounding Highlands. Bear activity increases in spring and fall but can occur year-round. Store all food in your vehicle or in designated containers, and never approach or attempt to feed a bear. If you encounter one on the trail, make noise, back away slowly, and do not run.

Deer ticks are common across the entire park, including along trails, at trailheads, and in grassy and brushy transition zones. Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses are a genuine risk in this region. Wear long pants and closed shoes when hiking, apply insect repellent, and do a thorough check of your skin and clothing when you return to your vehicle. Remove any attached ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers.

Copperhead snakes live in the rocky outcrops, ledge areas, and log piles that characterize much of the Highlands terrain. They are not aggressive but will strike if surprised or cornered. Watch where you place your hands and feet, especially when scrambling over rocks or stepping over logs. Give any snake you encounter space and do not attempt to handle it.

White-tailed deer are abundant throughout the park. They are most active at dawn and dusk, which are the times when vehicle collisions are most likely. Slow down on park roads during those hours and be prepared for deer to cross without warning.

Practical Information

Ringwood State Park is located at 1304 Sloatsburg Road in Ringwood, New Jersey, in Passaic County. The nearest towns are Ringwood and Wanaque. Access is straightforward from I-287 exit 57, following signs to Ringwood State Park, or via Greenwood Lake Turnpike from the New Jersey side. GPS coordinates for the park office and Ringwood Manor area are approximately 41.1363, -74.2561.

General park entry is free. Parking fees apply from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. At Ringwood Manor and Skylands, weekend and holiday parking is $5 per vehicle for New Jersey residents and $7 for nonresidents. At Shepherd Lake, parking is $5 for New Jersey residents and $10 for nonresidents on weekdays, and $10 for New Jersey residents and $20 for nonresidents on weekends and holidays. A New Jersey State Park annual pass covers parking. The Shepherd Lake beach and lifeguard service operate seasonally, and Skylands Manor tours are offered on selected Sundays and require separate admission. Ringwood Manor interior public tours are currently closed during restoration. Confirming current hours before visiting is recommended, particularly for the Skylands botanical garden programs.