Passaic: Parks, Museums and History

In Passaic County, a wide range of experiences makes a trip possible, from nature trails and open spaces to industrial history, historic houses, and museums. The Passaic County park system manages more than 16,000 acres of protected open space, parks, trails, sports fields, and recreational facilities across the county.

Nature, Parks, and Trails

The Apshawa Preserve covers 583 acres, encompasses diverse habitats, and includes the 40-acre Butler Reservoir. More than five miles of marked trails are open there for hiking, biking, horseback riding, nature observation, and fishing. Access is via Northwood Drive off Macopin Road in West Milford. Since access and trail conditions can change, check them before your visit.

The parks also vary in size and location: the 377-acre Preakness Valley Park lies on the border between Wayne and Totowa. Rifle Camp Park is in Woodland Park and Clifton. The Highlands Trail enters Passaic County at the New Jersey–New York border crossing in Tranquility Ridge County Park. These details help with orientation without combining the locations into a single route.

The Great Falls of the Passaic River are designated a National Natural Landmark. Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park is open for self-guided activities and outdoor tours. Check current conditions before visiting. Paterson’s Raceway system is designated a National Engineering Landmark. A walk through Upper Raceway Park follows the beginning of the system and passes some of the many mills that benefited from it.

Industrial History and Historic Houses

The Paterson Museum preserves and presents Paterson’s cultural, technological, and geological history. Another way to explore industrial history is the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District: it includes thirteen residential and commercial buildings as well as the remains of three iron blast furnaces. Long Pond Ironworks State Park is in northern Passaic County.

Individual buildings also tell stories of different eras. The Dey Mansion was built in the Georgian style in the second half of the 18th century and served as George Washington’s headquarters on two occasions in 1780. Uriah Van Riper had the Van Riper-Hopper House built for his bride, Maria Berdan, in 1786. Hewitt Church dates from 1895 and is in the Carpenter Gothic style. Its significance lies in its connection to the employees of the Cooper & Hewitt company and its predecessors, as well as in its representation of this architectural style.

Museums, Programs, and Regional Cuisine

The American Labor Museum is located in the Botto House National Landmark, a Victorian house built in 1908 that belonged to Italian immigrant and silk mill worker Pietro Botto and his wife, Maria. Visitor offerings include restored historic rooms, changing exhibitions, and the Old World Gardens, with a bocce court, grape arbor, root cellar, and chicken coop. There is also a free lending library and a museum shop; exhibitions and offerings may change. The Morris Canal is listed on the New Jersey Register and the National Register of Historic Places.

Passaic County park rangers regularly organize public hikes and environmental education programs for different age groups. The Junior Ranger program is for children ages five to twelve and includes activities at home or in the field led by park rangers. In addition, the park administration holds free community events for county residents year-round, including outdoor concerts, seasonal festivals, nature walks, fitness classes, and educational programs. Check current dates before traveling.

One regional food tradition is Texas Wieners: they were invented in Paterson and are served at several grills and restaurants in Passaic County. Since individual businesses’ offerings may change, it’s worth checking with the establishment before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Paterson, Clifton, Totowa, Wayne, Ringwood, Little Falls Township, Woodland Park, West Milford, Wanaque.

For the broader travel overview: New Jersey.