Passaic County is situated in the northeastern part of New Jersey, bordered by Bergen County to the north, Essex County to the east, Morris County to the west, and Hudson County to the south. The county seat of Passaic County is Paterson, which is also the largest city in the county.
Laurelwood Arboretum is a 30-acre botanically diverse property located in Wayne, New Jersey featuring woodland trails and gardens, wildlife, two ponds, streams and hundreds of varieties of rhododendrons, azaleas and other unusual species of plants and trees. Gravel paths wind and connect through the arboretum, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers, hikers, runners, birdwatchers, artists and photographers.
Ringwood Manor is a National Historic Landmark District, having historical importance spanning from Native American inhabitance through the early 20th century. The surrounding Ramapo Mountains' rich magnetite iron deposits made the area a major iron supplier and became the home to a succession of ironmasters for over two hundred years.
Ramapo Mountain State Forest is a 4,200-acre (17 km2) state forest in Bergen and Passaic Counties in New Jersey. The park offers hiking, hunting, canoeing, fishing (including ice fishing), cross-country skiing, horseback riding and mountain biking. Several trails lead to views of the New York City skyline. The forest contains the ruins of Van Slyke Castle, a popular destination for hikers.
Garret Mountain Reservation, located in both Woodland Park and Paterson, is one of Passaic County’s most frequented parks. The 310 acres of recreational space sits more than 500 feet above sea level, with scenic views of Paterson and the New York City skyline. Lambert Castle and Lambert Tower, two of Passaic County’s historic sites, are also located within Garret Mountain Reservation.
