Scenic trail areas near northern NJ?

Hey all!

I’m looking for any places that’s at most two hours driving distance away from Bergen County, NJ that have some 4x4 trails with some scenic views. Looking for a nice day trip to stretch my taco’s legs since it’s so congested here living so close to the city.
I’ve been to the Pine Barrens a couple times with my lone truck with a couple friends along for the ride. I know it’s expansive, but we can’t seem to find anything there but narrow dirt roads.. Nothing picturesque or open areas to take in a view.

Recommendations are very appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

Pine Barrens about 3 weeks ago.

 

You’re in the wrong state if you’re looking for 4x4 trails and scenic views.

 

yup, I clearly haven’t done enough exploring. Can I get there from the Batsto camp grounds?

and yes @JLink I’ve realized that around NJ it’s very hard to achieve that in my area, unfortunately. unless I drive several hours away which I’m willing to take into consideration.

 

AOAA

 

how’d you like it there? Are you able to go by yourself?

 

@JoviTV it's pretty bad ass there, you can challenge yourself to whatever degree your comfortable with, all the trails are graded on difficulty. Two truck minimum, lmk when you're going and I'll show you around.

 

Anyone have any experiences around the Delaware water gap?

 

A nice ride can be found in Pohatcong township NJ on River Rd. You start in Carpentersville and can ride along the Delaware River on River road to Milford NJ.It is best to go in the spring or fall. Some stretches are one lane only.

 

@kjttaco thanks! I’ll be sure to keep that location in mind once it gets warmer around here

 

Hey. I met you with gso in the pine barrens a while ago. Good to talk to you again. The Delaware water gap area is a really nice place to drive around. There’s nothing challenging really. There’s a couple washouts here and there if you feel like driving through them. But there’s just miles and miles of dirt roads for you to explore. A lot of the roads are gated off right now for the winter. They should open up in a couple weeks I would think.

 

Hey @Tacoclifford! nice to see you again haha. Yeah I heard there’s some nice trails around the water gap. I think we enter through the Old Mill or Mine Road or something like that. I plan to make a trip there sometime in late spring.

 

very nice. I’m there Atleast once a month Maybe I’ll see you around!

 

Hey OP sounds like you might be in my area (Bergen). I am looking for people to explore with around northern NJ and NY. Have you been able to find anything?
I took a wack at some power lines today! I’ve been looking over maps and forums, I bet there are some spots in the Catskills, it has DEC land. More akin to forest service than state park land. At the moment I doubt there is access though.
I have been wanting to check out the Pines, but that too is closed at the moment.
I like the sound of the road the @kjttaco mentioned, going to try and find that. Is that part of the TNJT?

 

when this whole virus thing clears and parks open up, give me a shout. I’m always down to explore. I’m in rockland county.

the pines is a really nice place to drive around and explore

 

Cool, will do. Haven’t heard about any trails in rockland. I wonder about if 202 through Pomona

 

There’s a couple spots in stony point. But they aren’t exactly legal. But aside from that, there’s nothing in rockland. All those power lines have trails that a lot of guys ride their atv’s and dirt bikes on. The closest legal spot is the Delaware water gap area. There are some hunter access roads in sterling forest. But there’s only 3 that I know of and they’re all under a mile long.

 

Grew up in Stony Point. Used to hunt Sterling Forest too. Not much in the way of 4x4 trails as you’ve stated.

 

Hey @JW-Fabrication, yeah I haven’t really had any luck in looking upstate but as people have recommended, the Pine Barrens is a great place to start. It is fairly expansive and at the time I started this post I’ve only known about the Batstow campgrounds. After going on a trip with an overland/offroad group I realized that there is so much to explore and find there. I also plan to try out the Del Water Gap area too later this year, as apparently you can reach a place with a nice waterfall to appreciate.

 

You mean Milford Pa ?