Cedar Grove: Trails, Parks and Railroad History

Explore Cedar Grove through its outdoor destinations: hiking and jogging trails at Mills Reservation, parkland and the route of the West Essex Trail. Other attractions include the Quarry Point overlook and the grounds of Canfield-Morgan Farm.

Hiking Trails and Views at Mills Reservation

Mills Reservation is a 157.15-acre county park in Cedar Grove and Montclair. The park has several hiking and jogging trails, including four main trails and numerous smaller ones. This trail network offers specific ways to plan an outing: you can make hiking or jogging the focus, while choosing between the main trails and the smaller ones. This sets Mills Reservation apart from a single overlook or park area.

Quarry Point adds a named scenic destination to the trail network. This overlook in Mills Reservation offers a picturesque view. When planning, you can decide whether you’re more interested in getting active on the trails or visiting an overlook. Both are part of Mills Reservation, but each offers a different focus for time outdoors.

A section of the 36-mile Lenape Trail also runs through Mills Reservation. The 36 miles refer to the trail’s total length, not the length of the section in the park. This distinction helps separate the local park connection from the full route: Mills Reservation is one section along the Lenape Trail, while the stated length describes the entire trail.

Railroad History on the West Essex Trail

The West Essex Trail runs alongside Cedar Grove Community Park. Just under 3 miles of the trail follow the former railroad bed of the Caldwell Branch of the former Erie-Lackawanna Railroad. The trail’s history as a rail line is part of its story: this section follows the former railroad bed. The West Essex Trail also crosses the Peckman River on a trestle bridge. The rail line and river crossing are two specific features that help describe the trail’s route.

The Lenape Trail also has a specific route through this area. One section follows the West Essex Trail to just beyond Bowden Road in Cedar Grove, where it turns east. Along with the section in Mills Reservation, this gives another local connection to the Lenape Trail without suggesting that the two sections are the same.

Parks of Different Sizes

Cedar Grove Park covers 77 acres and is the fourth-largest park in the county park system. You can also visit the 14-acre grounds of Canfield-Morgan Farm, a park managed by the township. By comparison, at 157.15 acres, Mills Reservation is the largest of the three areas mentioned here. These figures distinguish the parks not only by name and character, but also by size. Cedar Grove Park’s ranking also places it within the county park system.

Choose Accommodation to Suit Your Outing

When looking for a vacation rental in Cedar Grove, compare the property’s exact location with the destinations you’d like to visit.

Discover more destinations: Irvington, Newark, West Orange, Bloomfield, Millburn, Fairfield, City of Orange, Maplewood.

For the broader travel overview: Essex.