Ringwood New JerseyATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Ringwood, New Jersey.
1. Ringwood State Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Ringwood State Park offers visitors extensive outdoor recreation opportunities with hiking trails, picturesque landscapes, and historic sites. The park features a lake with boat rentals including paddle boats, row boats, and canoes for visitors to enjoy the water. Its natural beauty and diverse attractions make it one of the most popular destinations in the area.
2. Skylands New Jersey Botanical Gardens
STUNNING FORMAL GARDENS
The New Jersey Botanical Garden at Skylands showcases meticulously maintained formal gardens spread across 96 acres within Ringwood State Park. Visitors can wander through various garden styles including perennial, annual, and specialty gardens that change with the seasons. The botanical garden provides a serene escape with its manicured landscapes and diverse plant collections.
3. Ringwood Manor
HISTORIC IRON MASTER'S ESTATE
Ringwood Manor is a 51-room Victorian mansion that served as the summer residence for the owners of the successful Cooper and Hewitt Ironworks Company. The fully-furnished historic house museum sits on a low hill overlooking a picturesque landscape and has been designated a National Historic Landmark District. Tours of this impressive estate are generally available Wednesday through Sunday from April through October.
4. Norvin Green State Forest
WILDERNESS HIKING DESTINATION
Norvin Green State Forest offers hikers and nature enthusiasts miles of trails through rugged wilderness in the Highlands region. The forest features dramatic views, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife habitats throughout its extensive acreage. Visitors can enjoy challenging hikes to viewpoints like Wyanokie High Point that provide panoramic vistas of the surrounding countryside.
5. Skylands Manor
ELEGANT HISTORIC MANSION
Skylands Manor is a magnificent 44-room mansion built in the 1920s featuring English Jacobean architecture constructed of native stone and half-timbers. The impressive country house contains rooms with antique paneling, 16th-century stained glass medallions, molded plaster ceilings, and an elaborately carved staircase. Its weathered stone facade blends beautifully into the surrounding landscape of the botanical gardens.
6. Shepherd Lake Recreation Area
FAMILY-FRIENDLY LAKE ACTIVITIES
Shepherd Lake Recreation Area provides a perfect setting for family outings with swimming, fishing, and picnicking facilities. The lake offers rental boats including canoes and paddle boats for exploring the tranquil waters. Visitors can enjoy the sandy beach area during summer months while taking in views of the surrounding highlands landscape.
7. Long Pond Ironworks
INDUSTRIAL HISTORY SITE
Long Pond Ironworks preserves the remains of an iron making community that operated from 1766 to 1882, playing a vital role in the American Industrial Revolution. Visitors can explore ruins of blast furnaces, water wheels, and worker housing that tell the story of early American iron production. The site offers guided tours and living history demonstrations that bring this important historical period to life.
8. Highlands Natural Pool
NATURAL SPRING-FED SWIMMING
The Highlands Natural Pool is a unique spring-fed swimming facility nestled in the woods near Ringwood. This chemical-free swimming destination provides a refreshing alternative to chlorinated pools with its natural stone basin and surrounding deck areas. Members and day visitors can enjoy swimming in pristine waters while being surrounded by the natural beauty of the highlands region.
9. Wawayanda State Park
PRISTINE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE
Wawayanda State Park sprawls across over 34,000 acres of pristine wilderness just minutes from Ringwood with diverse recreational offerings including swimming, hiking, and camping. The park features the scenic Wawayanda Lake with a swimming beach and boat launches for non-motorized watercraft. Hikers can access a section of the Appalachian Trail that passes through the park, offering challenging terrain and spectacular views.
10. Greenwood Lake
SCENIC LAKE RECREATION
Greenwood Lake is a seven-mile-long glacial lake straddling the New York-New Jersey border near Ringwood offering boating, fishing, and waterfront dining. The lake has earned the nickname "The Jewel of the Mountains" for its stunning setting surrounded by the Highlands region's rolling hills. Visitors can rent boats, enjoy waterfront restaurants, or relax on the public beaches during summer months.
11. Demarest Farm
PICK-YOUR-OWN FARM EXPERIENCE
Demarest Farm offers a delightful agricultural experience near Ringwood with seasonal pick-your-own fruits, a farm store, and special events throughout the year. Families can enjoy picking apples, peaches, and pumpkins depending on the season while enjoying the farm's scenic orchard setting. The farm store provides fresh produce, baked goods, and local specialties that showcase the agricultural bounty of the region.
12. Ringwood Farmers Market
LOCAL PRODUCE SHOWCASE
The Ringwood Farmers Market brings together local farmers, artisans, and food producers offering fresh, seasonal goods to the community. Visitors can browse stands filled with locally grown produce, homemade baked goods, handcrafted items, and specialty foods. The market creates a vibrant community gathering place while supporting local agriculture and small businesses.
13. Cupsaw Lake
PEACEFUL LAKE RETREAT
Cupsaw Lake provides a tranquil setting for swimming, fishing, and relaxation within the Ringwood community. This smaller lake offers a more intimate experience than some of the region's larger bodies of water with a sandy beach area and calm waters. Local residents and visitors appreciate the lake's natural beauty and recreational opportunities throughout the warmer months.
14. The Shepherd Lake Restaurant
LAKESIDE DINING EXPERIENCE
The Shepherd Lake Restaurant offers casual dining with panoramic views overlooking the picturesque Shepherd Lake in Ringwood State Park. Diners can enjoy a menu featuring American classics and regional specialties while watching boats glide across the lake's surface. The restaurant's rustic atmosphere and scenic location make it a popular destination for both visitors exploring the park and locals seeking a memorable dining experience.
15. Ringwood Plaza Shopping Center
LOCAL SHOPPING HUB
Ringwood Plaza Shopping Center serves as the main retail hub for the Ringwood community with a variety of shops and services. The center features essential stores, local businesses, and casual dining options that cater to residents and visitors alike. Its convenient location makes it an ideal stop for supplies before heading to the area's many outdoor recreation destinations.