Tourne Park — Attraction in Denville

Today was my first time to Tourne Park and it was lovely. All the time, I encountered one dog walker and a park patrolman, plus the numerous types of birds and meadow critters along the paths and the River. So serene. The county's conservation efforts have made a difference in the quality of recreation here.

If you're a wildlife connoisseur, this is your place. I found myself wishing I had a guide to flora and fauna bc I saw so many species, and it's only early April! Be prepared for geese, hawks, chipmunks, and plenty of songbirds. Eek, and ticks... Be sure to cover up and check for ticks when you get home. It's still a deer heavy area. Though I didn't see any of them today, I saw plenty of hoof marks in the hour I spent at Tourne.

The area I went to was not the main park. Just before Tourne Park main, there's an outcropping with meadows and a preservation area that butts up against the Rockaway River and a golf course. So serene.

If you bring your dog, be sure to bring a leash! You're in for a treat, whether you stay on the flat meadows or take a trip up the hill (elevation gain about 300 feet). Scenic point and balancing...

I actually love this place, but I'm from out of town, and the signage is really lacking in a few places. (Roads and parking areas are questionable too.) For example, you come to a T on the Evergreen Trail, and it's supposed to be a loop. Um.... Which way? Give yourself extra time to navigate junctions like this. There's a few. I should be able to look up and down a trail from a junction, and see a color marking. There were no maps available, and google maps is helpful, but shouldn't have to be used often on the trail. Stick to the trails that a truck can drive on, and you're probably "on" the trail. That's the reason for the 4 stars. Otherwise, the Park gets 5-star eating for terrain and nice, moderately-challenging trails. I'm recovering from a hip injury and there's enough terrain here to do a couple trails in an hour. I did both the Evergreen and the Decamp (plus a lotta backtracking and changing my mind) and ended up with 3.5 miles logged. I'd highly recommend this place, despite my...

Picturesque and rarely crowded. The climb to the top is low impact and takes almost an hour to loop, the views are magnificent. A local resident told me the dog leash law is only honored in the breach and that is more than evident from frequent visits. Be prepared to accept this or go elsewhere. Park police are more fixated on nabbing speeders and can often be seen parked a strategic points waiting. If you see a helicopter scouring the area, odds are it is looking for a bear. Unfortunately the place is small enough that you will probably soon see the bear frightened out of its wits running for cover, as I did. Overall a good place, but not exactly a relaxing one. Oh yes, per the posted signs, don't leave the trails during bow...