Ringwood State Park — Ringwood Manor Loop

The Ringwood State Park Manor Loop is a 10-kilometer circuit trail in northern Passaic County, New Jersey, accessed from the park entrance at 1304 Sloatsburg Road in Ringwood. The trail system encircles Ringwood Manor — a National Historic Landmark ironmaster mansion set in the Ramapo Mountain foothills — while ascending to panoramic ridge overlooks above the Wanaque Valley. Parking at the visitor lot costs $5 per vehicle on weekends in season.

The loop begins near Ringwood Manor and climbs steadily through second-growth mixed hardwood forest on the Ringwood-Ramapo Trail, gaining 250 meters over the first 4 kilometers. The ridge section traverses open rocky outcrops with views northeast toward the Ramapo Mountains and, on clear days, toward New York's Harriman State Park across the state line. The descent returns through sheltered forest valleys before passing back through the Ringwood Manor estate grounds, where visitors can view the exterior of the 51-room Victorian mansion. Interior tours of the mansion are offered on weekends from May through October and require a separate fee.

Trail surfaces include compacted dirt, exposed schist outcrops, and rocky ridge paths; hiking boots are required for the upper ridge sections. The full loop is rated moderate and typically completed in 3 to 4 hours. A shorter option follows only the manor grounds and lower trails for approximately 5 kilometers with minimal elevation gain. Free trail maps are available at the visitor center.

Ringwood State Park also contains Shepherd Lake, accessible via a short connector trail from the manor loop, where swimming is permitted in summer for a nominal fee. The park borders New York State and connects to the Sterling Forest State Park trail network, offering extensions for experienced walkers. Ticks are present from April through November; DEET repellent is advised. Dogs are permitted on leash throughout the park trails.