3 Fall Outdoor Adventures Near Kinnelon: Hiking, Hawkwatching And Camping

KINNELON, NJ — If cooler fall weather has you itching to get outside, Kinnelon and nearby North Jersey have several options. From miles of trails close to home to hawk migration and an overnight camping trip, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the season.

Kinnelon residents can find a fall hiking adventure without venturing beyond their own backyard. Silas Condict County Park spans 1,513 acres right in Kinnelon, giving residents 10 miles of trails to explore close to home. Hikers can follow trails with connections to several overlooks or make the park’s seven-acre lake part of their outing. With the park open daily from sunrise to sunset, residents have plenty of flexibility to fit in anything from an early start to an afternoon on the trails — without having to travel beyond Kinnelon for their fall outdoor fix.

Kinnelon birdwatchers looking for a fall outing can head to New Jersey Audubon’s Montclair Hawkwatch, where fall migration is underway. The organization says the hawkwatch is turning 70 and that its one-acre lookout became New Jersey Audubon’s smallest sanctuary on Sept. 18, 1959. Hawk watching continues through Nov. 30, but September offers a particularly timely reason to visit: Peak Broad-winged Hawk flights usually occur during the third week of the month when weather conditions cooperate.

Kinnelon residents looking to turn a fall day outdoors into an overnight adventure can head to Wawayanda State Park in Hewitt. Group camping is available through Oct. 31 for visitors who want a more rugged experience. The state describes it as “rough camping,” meaning there is no running water, electricity or showers at the sites. Campers can also make hiking part of the trip, with more than 60 miles of trails throughout the park. Reservations can be made through the state’s online reservation system, allowing Kinnelon residents to check availability before planning their fall getaway.

For Kinnelon residents, these fall outings offer a timely reason to explore the outdoors both close to home and across North Jersey before the season slips away.

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