Ringwood Manor was built by the Cooper and Hewitt families, who played a major role in the American Industrial Revolution.
The park contains remnants of the historic Long Pond Ironworks.
Skylands Manor contains 44 rooms and was designed to look like an old English manor house.
The park's iron mines provided essential supplies for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
The Botanical Garden features a rare collection of crabapple trees and an extensive lilac garden.
A portion of the Ringwood-Ramapo trail system connects directly to the larger Highlands Trail.
Ringwood State Park is a 4,000-acre wilderness area located in the Ramapo Mountains of Passaic County, New Jersey. The park encompasses the historic Ringwood Manor, the New Jersey Botanical Garden at Skylands Manor, and the Shepherd Lake Recreation Area. Its landscape features varied terrain ranging from deep forested valleys to rocky ridges. The area served as a significant site for iron mining during the 18th and 19th centuries. Visitors can access an extensive network of multi-use trails suitable for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The New Jersey Botanical Garden is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park provides critical habitats for diverse wildlife, including black bears, bobcats, and migratory birds. Shepherd Lake acts as a central hub for non-motorized boating and seasonal swimming. The estate grounds showcase distinct architectural styles including the Tudor Revival architecture of Skylands Manor.
The formal terrace gardens located directly behind Skylands Manor.
Download offline maps, as cell service is inconsistent throughout the dense forest areas.
Check the official park website for specific area closures, as the Manor and Botanical Garden may operate on different schedules than the trail systems.
Carry tick repellent, as the park is located in a high-incidence area for Lyme disease.
Do not attempt to swim in areas outside of the designated, lifeguard-monitored beach at Shepherd Lake.
The historic mansions and Botanical Garden visitor center often observe seasonal hours and may be closed on certain weekdays during off-peak months.
Stay on marked trails to protect sensitive ecosystems and prevent erosion; pack out all trash to adhere to Leave No Trace principles.
