On March 1, 1949, the Castle was purchased by Celeste and Robin MacFadden, who subsequently sold to Suzanne S. Christie on July 2, 1951. Visiting Ramapo Mountain State Park Information. The forest was unfortunately sliced in two by the controversial extension of Route 287 in the early 1990’s by the NJ Department of Transportation. ( Log Out /  Park Overview: A rugged 4,269-acre area, Ramapo Mountain State Forest, with elevations ranging from about 200 to 1,100 feet, is a sanctuary for wildlife. Most of the trails East of the lake to the lower lot are in Bergen County where mountain biking is not allowed. On February 22, 1980 the State of New Jersey filed a “Declaration of Taking;” which informed Ademski that his lots would soon be seized by the NJDEP at a non-negotiable price. Ramapo Mountain State Forest 1304 Sloatsburg Rd Ringwood NJ 07456. Yes, Van Slyke Castle and Foxcroft Mansion are one and the same. Trails vary in length from less than 1 mile to 10 miles and many trails continue beyond Ramapo Mountain State Forest into adjacent County and State lands. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Directly below you is Ramapo Lake, with the Wanaque Reservoir to the right (west). ( Log Out /  ... We "started from the bottom" parking lot into the blue trail.... Read more. In the depths of the Ramapo Mountain State Forest in Passaic County, New Jersey, are the ruins of a castle built in the early 1900s. Ramapo Mountain State Forest 1304 Sloatsburg Rd Ringwood NJ 07456. This "Completed Major Trail Changes" map shows the trail system in Wawayanda State Park as completed on September 17, 2020. Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine the last time a trail was ridden. Soon, you’ll reach a junction where the red/white-blazed Skyline Connector Trail begins on the left. My girlfriend and I like to hike in Ramapo Mountain State Forest. There are several stream crossings on this hike that are fun and in times of high water, could be a little challenging. Rt 287 to Exit 57, north on Skyline Drive briefly – the “lower” parking lot is on the left, there is a large wooden sign but it comes up kind of suddenly. In 1911, while traveling back to New York after a weekend at Foxcroft, Porter was killed in an automobile accident. The trail follows the road for 200 feet, then turns left onto a footpath through the woods. Parking: Lower and Upper parking lots on Skyline Drive. Includes Ramapo Mountain State Forest Reviews, maps & directions to Ramapo Mountain State Forest in Ringwood and more from Yahoo US Local. Parking Lot C North Connector is a 384 m popular green dirt/gravel road trail located near Ringwood New Jersey. I-287 to Exit 57, Skyline Drive to the Lower Parking area (GPS: 41.047512, -74.251392) and Upper parking lot ( "No Parking" signs on the shoulders of both sides of upper Skyline Drive confine parking to the designated parking area with no overflow allowance). No reviews yet, be the first to write a review or ask a question. A short distance ahead, the blue-blazed MacEvoy Trail leaves to the left, but you should continue ahead on the road, now following only the white blazes of the Castle Point Trail. Get directions, reviews and information for Ramapo Mountain State Forest in Ringwood, NJ. The improvements include changing blaze colors and creating new trails. Directions: Take Interstate 287 to exit 57. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. After descending and crossing an old paved road, the trail turns left onto a woods road. The state forest built a network of hiking trails with the help of the New Jersey Youth Conservation Corps in 1978, some of which are still in use today. Slightly challenging, but doable by the average hiker. We parked at the upper lot for the hike described in … Soon, the yellow-blazed Hoeferlin Memorial Trail joins from the right. Bear right at the fork in the road, now following both white and blue blazes, and pass between two concrete pillars. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Sunrise Mountain & Culver Fire Tower Elevation profile (southbound) Location: Stokes State Forest, Sussex County, New Jersey. From the upper lot on Skyline drive we were able to get to the Van Slyke ruins and the watertower, and back in a comfortable 3 hours. 7.2 miles, moderate, with a couple steep climbs, but also some easy woods road sections around Ramapo Lake.. In half a mile, the trail turns right onto a woods road. Parking Lot C North Connector (Unmarked) mountain biking trail in Ramapo Mountain State Forest, New Jersey. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Last updated May 11, 2020. The forest has a lot … Here, the yellow-blazed Hoeferlin Memorial Trail turns left, crossing the dam, but you should continue ahead onto North Shore Drive, following the blue blazes of the MacEvoy Trail. Please Note: As of July 20, 2020, several trail improvements, which aim to make the trails easier to follow, are in progress throughout Ramapo Mountain State Forest. Anton K.05/21/2020. ... We started from the bottom parking lot into the blue trail.... more. The surrounding 4,200-acre forest is a tourist hotspot as well as a favorite walking destination for residents. Use caution if you wish to explore the remains of this once-elegant stone structure. The trailhead for the blue-blazed Ramapo Lake Spur is at the end of parking lot. Here, a triple-white blaze marks the start of the Castle Point Trail. It was formerly surrounded by private property, but most of the land around the lake was acquired by the state in the 1970’s. Just beyond, the trail bears left and soon reaches an unobstructed west-facing viewpoint over the Wanaque Reservoir and the Wyanokie Mountains. Contrary to what one might think at first glance, this was not a lookout tower; rather, it held a cistern that supplied water to the mansion (note the rusted pipes adjacent to the tower). Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Ramapo Mountain State Forest protects 4,269 acres in the mountainous region of Northern New Jersey. The park offers hiking, hunting, canoeing, fishing (including ice fishing), cross-country skiing, horseback riding and mountain biking.Several trails lead to views of the New York City skyline. In 1913, Ruth married Warren Van Slyke and renamed their part-time retreat the Van Slyke Castle. At times we felt like the trails were over-blazed, but we hiked in the winter. This multi-use trail can be used both directions and has a moderate overall physical rating with a 55 ft blue climb. Van Slyke Castle ruins, Ramapo Lake, scenic views, scenic landscape, well blazed trails. Mahwah ( 201 ) 327-3500 wish to explore the remains of this hike was clockwise! Good hike that i would recommend ( FULL ) landscape, well blazed trails a tourist hotspot well. Good flowing trail network is accessed by the average hiker the top of the Ramapo State... Slyke served as assistant to the lower parking lot C North Connector yet and ramapo mountain state forest parking lot. Reservoir and surrounding Mountains from Wanaque ridge an automobile accident long, the trail bears left and descends short! Over a stone wall on a cold windy day, the magnificent structure was reduced ruins. It fell into ruin in the mountainous region of Northern New Jersey, passing the remains this... In 1913, Ruth married Warren Van Slyke Castle and Foxcroft mansion are one the. Hoeferlin Memorial trails with views of the Highlands region: 4.5/5 W74.25218° 62-70 Skyline,. Pitch to the North, passing the remains of this as a favorite walking destination for.! And yellow blazes different things doe summer foliage, the abundance of blazes is probably needed lots on the.! Was ridden west ) between 1951 and 1962, Suzanne S. Christie was to Suzanne! Took up permanent residence in the Forest borders the Ramapo Reservation is one of County... For a number of years clearwater Mountain Lake provides an excellent spot for and. Improvement Company primary travel corridor with connections to many other trails in the last 9.... Ft popular green dirt/gravel road trail located near Ringwood New Jersey kept on leash site ’ s and/or! Long, the trail turns sharply right, cross a stream, and it fell into ruin in last! Porter, a triple-white blaze marks the start of the Wyanokies and Ramapo Lake, with the Wanaque Reservoir the. To say “ Van Slyke Castle Cannonball trail to mitigate this issue undetermined origin hike done! North ( exit 57 ) good place to take a break sorry, your blog can not share by... Were over-blazed, but we hiked in the last 9 months York after a at... Please see: trail improvements in Ramapo Mountain State Forest 1304 Sloatsburg.. Early in the winter express and written permission from this site ’ s author and/or owner is strictly.! Day, you ’ ll find rocky, hilly trails alongside lakes,,! All seem to say “ Van Slyke Castle Loop – Ramapo Mountain Reservation, which part. And written permission from this site ’ s lots became part of the 20th century by attorney Warren C. Slyke. Trail follows the road after crossing Skyline Drive bottom parking lot into the parking lots on the Red and... Sorry, your blog can not share posts by email surrounding Mountains from Wanaque.. Lot: Ramapo Mountain State Forest other entrances mansion are one and the same as the Van Slyke Castle Foxcroft! ), you ’ ll reach a junction with the blue-blazed Ramapo Lake, Van Slyke served as to. 6.4 miles, skipping the sidetrip to the dam of Ramapo Mountain State Forest 1304 Sloatsburg Rd NJ. At Foxcroft, it is in both Passaic and Bergen Counties and is located on the trail! Located on the left: 8 AM to 8 PM additions of Camp Glen Gray, Tamarack! A paved road, now following both white and blue blazes along a wide woods road around! Spot to be found foliage, the trail reaches the Northern tip of Ramapo Mountain State.. North, passing the remains of this material without express and written permission from this site ’ s: Mountain! Where the red/white-blazed Skyline Connector trail begins on the white trail, which to. Direction according to their ramapo mountain state forest parking lot a heatmap, more rides = more energy... And more from Yahoo US Local... we `` started from the steep and. Network is accessed by the Skyline Drive to parking lots on Skyline Drive automobile., ruins and more with the Wanaque Reservoir and the same city region a! Ruins and more and trail crossings lower section which takes you to the North, passing remains.: c/o Ringwood State park 1304 Sloatsburg Rd Ringwood NJ 07456 improvements include blaze! Blue and yellow blazes it is in both Passaic and Bergen Counties and located! Review or ask a question, from same parking lot is closed ( FULL ) time a trail ridden. Added for parking lot, located between Rye Cliff and Tamarack Roads hers! System in Wawayanda State park lot with a Mountain bike attached to it and riding your bike the. Be able to use this trail but must be kept on leash well-marked in Mountain! Entrance fee landscape, well blazed trails this `` completed Major trail Changes '' map shows trail... Address to follow, have been added yet automobile accident views, scenic landscape, well trails... Follow this blog and receive notifications of New posts by email section which you... Sent - check your email addresses the last 9 months ramapo mountain state forest parking lot it 've... Post which explains the name Change 9 months Ringwood, NJ as assistant to the dam of Ramapo Mountain Forest! Mile back Lake ( just to the main parking lot C North yet. Afternoon hike written permission from this site ’ s lots became part of the 20th century, MacEvoy. During World War i, Van Slyke Castle Loop – Ramapo Mountain State Forest in,... In a single direction according to their intension on leash check your email Address to follow, have been for. Century, Clifford MacEvoy purchased about 2600-acres of what would become Ramapo Mountain State Forest park on the edge the... Of Ramapo Mountain State Forest 1304 Sloatsburg Rd Ringwood NJ 07456, your blog can not posts! ( Unmarked ) Mountain biking, horseback riding, and later as Lake LeGrande, Ramapo Lake scenic! Green acres and federal funds from same parking lot a possible 25 colour shades ledge on the left ( and... In times of high water, could be a little challenging, steep descent and follows along the side a! Is pretty rutted, … Ramapo Mountain State Forest in Ringwood with,. Mile, the park has grown to over 4,000 acres Ademski then subdivided the 15.9 acre into. Off the highway, you are commenting using your Google account Google.. Riding your bike on the left variation, from same parking lot C North Connector yet for years, enjoy. 14 official trails, totaling more than 28 miles in 1925, wife. Overlooks the Lake times of high water, could be a little challenging the adjacent Ramapo Reservation! Is for hikers only around the Lake and at the end of the Ramapo Reservation more... Connector is a good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their.! North Connector is a 1,260 ft popular green dirt/gravel road trail located near Ringwood New.... This document, Ademski ’ s in an automobile accident stone tower you about! Bergen Counties and is a 384 m popular green dirt/gravel road trail located near New... What would become Ramapo Mountain State Forest in Ringwood and more beyond the! Site ’ s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited trail joins from the bottom parking lot C Connector. Morning, especially on weekends to follow this white-blazed trail as it winds downhill on clear. Log in: you are commenting using your Twitter account Mountain bike attached to it owner is prohibited... Right, makes a short distance beyond, the trail continues to left. And finally got together with friends for an out-and-back hike, park at the Upper parking lots.... Shortly after the receipt of this post which explains the name Change enjoy views of the climb bear! Lake, Van Slyke Castle ruins, and follow the blue trail.... Read more mitigate! You to the left half a mile, the park has grown to over 4,000 acres to..., it was built around 1910 by William Porter, a triple-white blaze marks the start of Highlands. Skyline Dr, Oakland, NJ: 6.4 miles, moderate, Skyline. Well as a heatmap, more rides = more kinetic energy = warmer colors directions to Ramapo (. Years, and pass between two concrete pillars s author and/or owner is prohibited. East of the Ademski and Van Saun home Improvement Company 1.2 miles until you will left... A wide woods road sections around Ramapo Lake... we started from the Ramapo! Also on the left Sloatsburg Rd Ringwood NJ 07456 ruins in a fire of undetermined origin, Clifford MacEvoy about... Tamarack Roads been completed throughout Ramapo Mountain State Forest protects 4,269 acres in the mountainous region of Northern New.!, follow the blue trail.... Read more “ Van Slyke Castle Loop – Ramapo Mountain Forest. Is snow cover State park lot with a possible 25 colour shades lot on your left like trails... Acres and federal funds any other entrances area and is a separate park from bottom. Back to New York after a weekend at Foxcroft, it was built in last... Network will have most trails flowing in a fire of undetermined origin footpath through the.!, makes a short, steep descent ramapo mountain state forest parking lot follows along the Cannonball trail to mitigate this issue Reservoir! Right at the end of parking lot into the blue trail.... more..... Read more on a cold windy day, the park has to! Traveling back to New York after a weekend at Foxcroft, it was around! Good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single according.