New Jersey Botanical Garden — Attraction in Ringwood

There are several important things you should know before coming here. First off this isn’t a “real” botanical gardens or at least far from what I was expecting when I envisioned visiting a “botanical gardens”. There was about 1-2 flower beds in the whole place so manage your expectations. I would rename this place to a hiking preserve or a nature walk place because that’s all it is. There are large fields that seem like something I saw in a dream once so you can definitely come here to be in touch with nature, but it’s not a botanical gardens lol. It is not stroller friendly either so don’t bother, there are no sidewalks. There is one paved road through out the whole place that acts as a walk way, driving road for cars, and horses run on it too. Other than that, it’s lots of grass walk ways or dirt/rock roads (so don’t wear flip flops or open toed shoes). It is also not educational. Barely any of the nature is labeled. One fenced off area had a bunch of purple flowered bushes all with different names/phrases on it but they all were the same flowers. There also was a random private residence stationed here too that says don’t enter. There isn’t really any directions or labels on places it’s just a big open area to wander around, but that being said wildlife also wanders around because there is a decent woodsy area there. I encountered a snake and some rabbits. Bring lots of bug spray. They allow pets, but I only saw one poop/garbage station by the parking lot while I was there so idk how they expect you to always pick up after them. Anyway this place is nice for nature lovers and I would come back, but not because I wanted to see a “botanical garden”. This place is more of a hiking/nature walk place. Plan...

I have been coming to Skylands since I was a child and now going on 3 generations of family who love and experience everything Skylands has to offer. Every season is different with the lilac gardens, daffodils, crocuses, tulips blooming in the spring. Summer brings a new and varied array of flowers, colors, butterflies. Fall is still full of flowers and bumble bees getting their last fill of nectar. Walk further across the wide open field, through the gates, into another beautiful garden filled with lush trees, greenery, rock gardens, streams and ponds filled with tadpoles, frogs, bullfrogs, salamanders, deer. Hiking trails are also on this side. On the opposite side are more gardens, ponds and water gardens with koi, the manor house, gorgeous ancient trees that are meticulously cared for. What many people do not realize is the gardens are taken care of by volunteers. Some people are under the assumption this is a park and want to bring in food, coolers and picnics. That is not the case and one of the many reasons I love Skylands; keep it clean the way nature intended. During the summer months there are outdoor concerts on Friday evenings. Unfortunately, due to covid 19, these concerts did not take place. Skylands is a jewel and should be treated as such. You can spend 30 minutes here and feel renewed, refreshed or spend hours exploring everything Skylands has to offer. Whatever your choice, enjoy, there aren't many spaces left in NJ, the tri- state area that can bring calmness, peace of mind and be one...

As it happens and I remembered when I saw it, that we were there about a decade ago with some friends and family, cousins, and then I forgot about this place, thinking it is a bit far. Recently I had a photoshoot and the client requested that we do it in this place, as I was walking through, I realized it is the same place that I forgot about from a decade ago and what an amazing place it is. Whether you are choosing to spend a day with your family, booking some event or just want to have beautiful pictures for hobbyist or professional photo shoot, this is definitely one of the places that I would visit or consider. They have beautiful gardens, and with variety of plants, flowers, scenery, but what they also have, beautiful paths, with tress on both sides creating leading lines, hence perfect for photography, they have a castle or at least a building that looks like one, they have multiple nooks and different items, including a beautiful water lane, as I would call it, but I am sure there is a name for it, where pictures are literally begging to be taken. There is no limit to scenery in this place, and the only limitation is ones imagination. I recall, not this time around, but from a previous trip a decade ago, they also have cherry blossoms, ponds, and much more. If you are looking for a beautiful site for any reason, this park should at least be put on the list to consider for sure.

Here are a few pictures from my most recent visit...