Ramapo Mountain State Forest

Oakland,
Bergen County,
New Jersey

Trails:
MacEvoy Trail: Blue blaze
Hoeferlin Trail: Yellow blaze
Lookout Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 1:15 hr
Estimated Distance: 2.4 Miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Recommended, though too many people
Points Of Interest: Scenic Lake, Nice views of the Wyanokies

Google Maps of Parking:

View Hiking Blog Localities in a larger map

Ramapo Mountain State Forest contains a dense network of trails in a small area in the Ramapo Highlands of New Jersey. There are some scenic views with a picturesque lake, though the trails here are very busy, especially on weekends. I parked in the lower parking area on Skyline Drive near Oakland, right off Interstate 287. Took the MacEvoy Trail up to Ramapo Lake, and then took the Hoeferlin Trail (combined with the Lookout Trail) up the mountain to the viewpoint, and then continued along and picked up the Lookout Trail. There is a spur that goes to a view off the Lookout Trail, though I didn't find it, probably partly due to my being in a big rush to get back home. After the descent of the Lookout Trail, took a short bushwack across the brook back to the MacEvoy Trail and back to my car.

Map of the Route

Ramapo Lake from the easternmost point

Ramapo Lake from the Dam

Lookout Trail Marker

View From the Summit Lookout,
Looking north towards Ramapo Lake and the Wyanokies

The same view, zoomed in,
with Wyanokie High Point in the Distance.

View from the Summit Lookout, Facing West.

View from the Summit Lookout, Facing South

View From the Lookout Trail before descending.
Facing northeast directly towards Interstate 287.