Lyndhurst brings together greenway trails, nature observation, astronomy and culture. At Riverside County Park North, more than 3 miles of paved trails are available for biking or walking; Richard W. DeKorte Park adds walking paths and the Lyndhurst Nature Reserve. Other attractions include a weather-dependent observatory, public rowing programs, a schoolhouse museum and a memorial site marking the former World Trade Center skyline.
Trails and Nature
Riverside County Park covers 85 acres along the Passaic River, with its North section in Lyndhurst and its South section in North Arlington. The Lyndhurst section is called Riverside County Park North, and the section in North Arlington is called Riverside County Park South. The North section has more than 3 miles of paved trails for biking or walking. This makes it possible to distinguish the two municipally named park sections and attribute the trail information to the Lyndhurst section.
Richard W. DeKorte Park has 3.5 miles of walking paths. A path in the Lyndhurst Nature Reserve passes information signs, wildlife viewing areas and native plant communities. When choosing between the parks, consider the activity as well as the trail length: Riverside County Park North offers biking and walking on a paved surface, while DeKorte has walking paths. If you would also like nature information and wildlife viewing as part of your walk, you can find these features along the path in the Nature Reserve.
Stargazing and Rowing
The William D. McDowell Observatory is open year-round on Wednesdays, weather permitting. Check operating information before you travel, as opening is weather-dependent. Viewing sessions are free, and advance registration is not required.
The telescope can be used to observe the Moon, planets and their moons, nebulae, star clusters, individual stars and galaxies. This range gives you a concrete reference point if you would also like to plan your stay around your interest in particular celestial objects.
Another activity is public community rowing at Riverside Park in Lyndhurst. The Bergen County Department of Parks and the nonprofit Passaic River Rowing Association have offered it there since 2003.
The two activities differ when it comes to planning: the observatory lists Wednesday as its year-round opening day and makes opening dependent on the weather; for rowing, check the program details before your trip. So, the observatory has a set day of the week, while the rowing program information will determine the details.
Museum and Memorial Site
The Little Red School House was restored as a museum with permanent and changing exhibitions. The World Trade Center Memorial Cove in Richard W. DeKorte Park offers a different cultural perspective: from a designated location, visitors can see exactly where the World Trade Center towers once stood on the skyline. The schoolhouse offers exhibitions, while the Cove focuses on a specific point in the former skyline. Both places offer different ways to engage with culture and remembrance.
Discover more destinations: Ridgefield, Hillsdale, Upper Saddle River, Teaneck, Paramus, Saddle River, Carlstadt, Palisades Park.
For the broader travel overview: Bergen.
