Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve Loop

Princeton, NJ
4.5
2 Reviews
Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve Loop
View all photos

Details

Distance
2.3 miles
Elevation Gain
157 ft
Route Type
Loop

Features

Scenic
Romantic
Picnic Area
Family Friendly
Lake
Forest
See all 8 tags
Download
Directions
Check-in
Track

About this place

Added by Khürt Williams

This 75-acre natural area located just outside of downtown Princeton is a favorite for family walks, birding, and fishing. Originally part of King George III's land grant to William Penn, it was farmed until the late nineteenth century. In the early 1980s, it was purchased by Princeton Township- in part through the Green Acres funds- and is now preserved as open space. With the Preserve’s two lakes, numerous rocky creeks, wooded wetlands, and upland forests, this park provides a diversity of ecosystems for native flora and fauna.

An 8-mile network of maintained trails traversing this Preserve, Mountain Lakes North, John Witherspoon Woods,parts of Tusculum (private) and Community Park North makes a variety of loop hikes possible. Pathways include a boardwalk (over wetlands) and paved bicycle roads. Click here for a trail map of the entire open space area, provided by the NJ Trails Association (2009).

Mostly flat terrain: from 100 ft. at the lakes to 280 ft. in the NE corner of John Witherspoon Woods.

Show more
Suggest an edit

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and be sure to follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly.
Community
Reviews
Photos
Check-ins
Rick Brabson
4/1/2019
Beautiful local hike
Have been here many times, it is really cool how the terrain changes when hiking. one minute your in the woods, the next climbing ...
Show more
Report
A B
7/20/2016
Excellent day hike
I go hiking with my dog and this was a nice day hike through mostly woods. We took the widest possible loop, and once ...
Show more
Report