5 Magical Spots Near North Jersey That Feel Worlds Away

NEW JERSEY — Summer has unofficially begun in New Jersey and with pandemic restrictions lifting more people are looking to getaway. Whether it's for a week, weekend or day trip, you don't need to travel far to find a magical retreat.

Here are 5 spots in and around North Jersey to check out on your next road trip:

• Camp Taylor Campground

Nestled in the mountains of northwest New Jersey at 85 Mount Pleasant Road in Columbia, the campground has 150 sites on 400 acres of forest land. The sites range from primitive tent sites, electric and water sites, cabins, or onsite RV rentals.

The campground is right off the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Appalachian Trail and even has a wolf preserve on the property.

The Lakota Wolf Preserve offers educational talks, photo opportunities, and a chance to see wolves howl in action.

• South Mountain Fairy Trail

Located at 197 Glen Ave. in Millburn, there are tiny, yet magical, little fairy houses that line a stretch of trail in the South Mountain Reservation park in Essex County.

The miniature houses were built and placed on the trail beginning in 2011 by Therese Ojibway, a special education teacher. The homes are complete with teeny tiny chairs, beds, and more.

The houses can be found off the 1-mile loop of the Rahway Trail.

• Bear Mountain State Park

Just over the border of New Jersey heading into New York State, you will encounter a wooded paradise with mountain peaks overlooking the Hudson River.

The park features a large playfield, shaded picnic groves, lake and river fishing access, a swimming pool, Trailside Museums and Zoo, hiking, biking and cross-country ski trails.

The Perkins Memorial Tower atop Bear Mountain offers spectacular views of the park, the Hudson Highlands and Harriman State Park. Guests can get to the tower by car or hiking up the mountain. The tower is open from April through late November, weather permitting.

The park also offers a Merry-Go-Round with hand-painted scenes of the park and 42 hand-carved seats of native animals including black bear, wild turkey, deer, raccoon, skunk, Canada goose, fox, swan, bobcat, rabbit and more.

In the winter months from late October through mid-March, there is also an outdoor rink open to ice skaters.

• Lake Wallenpaupack

Situated in the Poconos in Pennsylvania, the man-made lake covers 5,700 acres and 13 miles in length with 52 miles of uninterrupted shoreline.

The lake has six public recreation areas featuring hundreds of acres of forest lands, wildlife, walking trails, campsites and boat slips. Kayaks, water skiing, wakeboarding, jet skies and boats are also available to rent.

One of the biggest events at the lake is the Wally Lake Fest held annually in late August where tons of boaters celebrate on the water. There are also fireworks over the lake on the Fourth of July.

• Round Valley Reservoir

Tucked away in Clinton Township in Hunterdon County, the Round Valey Reservoir is a great family-friendly place to retreat too.

The reservoir covers about 2,350 acres and is about 180 feet deep, making it the second deepest lake in New Jersey.

It has a beach for swimming, boat launches and is stocked with lake trout for the avid fisherman. There are picnic areas, trails, and campsites.

Round Valley is the only state park that offers wilderness camping. Located on the eastern side of the reservoir the campsites are accessible only by hiking or boating.

Cross-country skiing and sledding are also available at Round Valley in the winter months.

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