The Washington Rock State Park is one of the oldest in New Jersey, first acquired by the state in 1913. The 52-acre park on a Watchung Mountain in Green Brook is now a popular scenic outlook in Central Jersey. This easy to access, easy to hike trail is perfect for beginners because it comes with a huge payoff; making it one of The Best NJ Hiking Trails.
The area of the mountain surrounding Washington Rock is named after George Washington. He used the spot as an outlook during the Revolutionary War, allowing him to monitor enemy troop movement. But in modern times, the area attracts families and friends for short hikes and picnics.
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In particular, Washington Rock State Park offers a quarter-mile hiking trail called the Orange Mountain Trail. This trail leads into a paved path loop, which is roughly another third-mile. Parking for the trail and overlook is at the intersection of Washington Ave and Rock Road (County Road 529).
Starting the Trail
At the northwest corner of the lot is an interpretive information panel, and the Orange Mountain Trail starting point. The trail is easy to track, but be sure to follow the trail right upon entering the woods. (Continuing straight leads to a residential backyard.) From there, simply follow the orange blazes on the trees, which appear often throughout the trip. The footpath is generally flat, with only a few rocks along the way. Otherwise, the path to Washington Rock is mostly flat with no real significant incline or drop.
After about a quarter mile, the trail leads to a fork with a paved path on one side. Both directions end up in the same place, because this part of the trail is a loop. The paved path continues to Rock Road East, across the street from Washington Rock. A word of caution for this path: the road is hilly with limited visibility around the bends. (There’s also a parking lot here along Rock Road East. So it’s possible to dramatically shorten the hike by just parking here and walking to Washington Rock.)
The View from Washington Rock
Once across the street, take the single path leading up to the flag. There will also be two large Washington Rock signs right out front. This part of the park offers picnic tables throughout as well as plenty of open space for picnic blankets. Meanwhile, the area around the flag is a platform made of stone and concrete. This platform provides two levels with views of the Somerset County and Middlesex County greenery that lay ahead. It even offers a view of the New York City skyline, 25 miles northeast from Washington Rock. In fact, on clear days it’s possible to see the Statue of Liberty in the Hudson River.
My favorite time to visit the park is during the winter. The view is beautiful during all seasons, but during winter (without the foliage), the view extends much farther. Plus, it tends to be less busy from December through February. In addition, since the hike is quick, it’s great to revisit during different seasons and weather conditions. While I don’t suggest driving up the mountain in the snow, the view after snowfall is incredible. For those planning a day trip, there are also plenty of shops and restaurants farther down the mountain.
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All Photos: © Patrick Lombardi / Best of NJ
