Abram S. Hewitt State Forest sprawls across 2,001 acres of rugged highlands in West Milford, Passaic County, offering one of North Jersey’s most rewarding escapes into wild, undeveloped terrain. Established in 1951, this state forest sits within the New Jersey Highlands and delivers a landscape defined by rocky ridgelines, glacial wetlands, and dense hardwood forests that feel worlds away from the suburbs just miles to the south.

The Bearfort Ridge Trail is the park’s crown jewel — a challenging loop that climbs through rhododendron tunnels and across exposed rock slabs to sweeping views of Greenwood Lake and the surrounding highlands. The trail rewards hikers with dramatic pitch pine barrens perched atop puddingstone conglomerate rock, a geological formation rarely found elsewhere in the state. Surprise Lake, a pristine glacial lake nestled along the ridge, makes an ideal rest stop and a quiet spot for fishing.

Beyond Bearfort Ridge, the forest connects to a broader trail network linking Wawayanda and Long Pond Ironworks state parks, making multi-day backpacking routes possible across the Highlands. Birders will find the mixed habitats productive, particularly during spring and fall migration when warblers move through the canopy.

Fall is the standout season here, when the hardwood forests ignite with color and cooler temperatures make the steep climbs more comfortable. Spring wildflower displays along the lower trails are equally worthwhile. Summer hiking is doable but expect humidity and rocky footing that demands sturdy boots.

Come prepared with water and a trail map — this is a forest that rewards self-sufficiency.

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