Off The Trails: A Hiker's Guide to the Outdoors

Located in Bergan and Passaic Counties, this 4,200 acre state forest offers hiking, canoeing, mountain biking and horseback riding. In the winter months ice fishing, cross country skiing and snow shoeing are popular activities.

There is an extensive network of trails that hikers can experience. These trails lead to a variety of different attractions. One of the biggest attractions in the forest is the 120 acre Ramapo Lake. Originally this massive lake was only 25 acres in size. In the late 1800’s the Dutch named the lake Rotten Poel (Rats Pond). In the late 1800’s Jacob Rogers (a locomotive engineer) purchased the land and the lake. He began to deepen and widen the lake into the size it is today. Rogers also built a stone dam across the tributary, creating the large lake that is there today. Ramapo Lake is a popular spot for fishing and birdwatching; however, swimming is prohibited!

Another attraction serviced by the trail system is Van Slyke Castle, previously known as Foxcroft. William Porter was a stockbroker who built the structure in the early 1900’s. He named the mansion Foxcroft, since it was constructed on Fox Hill. Porter died in 1911 in a car accident. His wife Ruth Porter remarried Warren Van Slyke in 1913. The mansion was renamed to Van Slyke Castle shortly after. Van Slyke passed away in 1925 and Ruth in 1940. The property was abandoned for 9 years until it was purchased by a young couple who resold it to Suzanne S. Christie in 1951. For unknown reasons, Christie abandoned the property shortly after the purchase. The property sat vacant until 1959 when vandals broke in and set fire to building. The stone ruins are all that remain of this once luxurious mansion.

Aside from the man-made lake and castle ruins, there are plenty of trails for hikers to choose from. Some trails lead to an overlook offering a view of the forest and, on clear days, the New York City skyline. Trails range from .3 miles to over 6.5 miles in length and can vary in difficulty. Trails around the lake and leading to the castle ruins are the most popular. As you venture further away from these attractions, other hikers become scarce and it will feel like you’re in the remote forest.

Parking: 67 Skyline Drive, Oakland, NJ, 07436

AllTrails: https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/new-jersey/ramapo-mountain-state-forest