Watchung Reservation

Watchung Reservation is a protected forest area in Union County, New Jersey, situated between two mountain ridges and containing valleys, woodlands, and many hiking trails. The land provides multiple entry points and historic sites for visitors to explore.

The Lenape Native Americans named these mountains Wach Unks, meaning high hills, with evidence of their settlements found along rivers and in volcanic caves. The area was later established as a protected reserve.

The Deserted Village contains murals depicting people engaged in everyday tasks and community life. These artworks offer a window into how residents lived in this place long ago.

The Trailside Nature Center and several other entry points offer starting places for routes of varying difficulty levels. The area is best explored on foot, with marked trails providing guidance throughout.

A pine forest with trees arranged in straight rows was planted in the 1930s and creates an unexpected geometric pattern within the natural woodland. This remnant demonstrates a historical approach to land management.