Wanaque: Highlands Rail Trail, Reservoir, and Local History

Wanaque Between Trail, Water, and History

Phase I of the Highlands Rail Trail runs through Wanaque; the Wanaque River and Reservoir shape the landscape, and Freedom Furnace is linked to regional iron smelting.

Highlands Rail Trail: A Greenway Connection

Phase I of the Highlands Rail Trail runs for about 1.72 miles from Union Avenue to F.A. Orechio Drive. The completed phase follows a former railroad corridor and provides a safe greenway connection for walking and cycling. If you want walking or cycling to be part of your stay, this section offers a specific starting point.

Wanaque River and Wild Trout

A four-mile stretch of the Wanaque River at Back Beach Park in the Borough of Wanaque was added to the Wild Trout Stream program in 2008. A rich population of wild brook trout was found in this area; surveys caught 74 and 81 brook trout, respectively. The Wanaque River below Wanaque Reservoir is also known for producing some of the largest wild trout in the state. At Back Beach Park, the program designation and brook trout population characterize the four-mile river stretch; below the Reservoir, the Wanaque River is known for some of the largest wild trout in the state.

Wanaque Reservoir in the Ramapo Valley

Wanaque Reservoir extends into the hollows of the Ramapo Valley and is fed by the Wanaque River. Its history also encompasses a striking transformation of the landscape: a ten-mile-long expanse of water replaced a paper mill and numerous homes scattered across the hills and valleys.

Freedom Furnace and Iron Smelting

Freedom Furnace is linked to the iron-smelting tradition in the Wanaque area. Iron ore was mined and smelted there from the colonial era onward; a photograph from 1903 shows Freedom Furnace. Regional iron smelting dates back to the colonial era; 1903 is the year of the photograph showing Freedom Furnace.

For trip planning, you can distinguish between the highlights: the trail offers a named route and opportunities for walking or cycling; the river and reservoir shape the water and landscape perspective, while Freedom Furnace represents the history of mining and smelting. If you’re looking for a hotel in Wanaque, consider whether outdoor activity, scenery, or regional history will play the biggest part in your trip. The three distance figures refer to different things: about 1.72 miles for Phase I of the trail, four miles for the river stretch at Back Beach Park, and ten miles for the reservoir’s expanse of water.

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

For the broader travel overview: Passaic.