Ash Brook Reservation Hiking Trail — Attraction in Scotch Plains

Ashbrook IS a SWAMP and also a Reservation, so this trail is great for really DRY or frozen weather. Otherwise, not so much, considering mosquitoes, ticks, poison ivy, and mud, which is why I'd give it a "moderate difficulty level" for safe hiking. Beautiful trail with many signs along the way introducing indigenous NJ swamp life. The trail goes in about a mile with higher elevations at the beginning and end points. Since it is a swamp environment, it is best visited during dry spells, when frozen solid, or anytime with mud boots. The trail is fairly well but minimally maintained, keeping its natural appearance, but there is no boardwalk as seen in other such parks. The trailhead is directly behind the John H. Stamler Police Academy and across from the Vocational High School of Union County, so there is ample free parking for the public. I would give the trail 5 stars if it was not for the mud, but an appropriately equipped hiker would find it worthwhile and different. It is a very peaceful and quiet refuge close to both the northern Middlesex and southern Union County suburbs. An international airport was planned for this very ground in the 1960s, but the locals preserved the land instead as Ashbrook Reservation,...

Not for kids! I’m an experienced hiker and this trail is no joke. I read the reviews and thought “I can just be a man and get thru it.” I was wrong, I went 2 days after it rained a bit so the trail was full of watery mud. I forced myself thru it, wearing regular sneakers every step after being a half mile in was submerging my entire foot in mud, my shoes were 100% shot (u better wear boots if coming here, I regret not listening to the reviews.) After 1.5 miles there was water up to my knees (I’m 6 ft 1) and I was forced to turn around because it was physically impossible to get thru. The trail isn’t rlly a trail at all, it’s just walking thru the woods. I’ll visit again on a dry summer day to see if i can actually make it thru this time. This is a very challenging trail do not come here unless you have a decent amount of experience and aren’t scared of walking in literal rivers of mud and water. The average person will not enjoy this trail, but if ur a beast like...

Not for the faint hearted! The swamp trail is challenging, despite negligible elevation changes. With the loss of the ash trees to the emerald ash borer, agressive invasives block much of the trail. You will face 2 to 4 foot deep tangles of tearthumbs and taller multiflora rose in some parts. There are also abundant native greenbrier and poison ivy. The ground is very wet and muddy, even flooded, including the trail in any but drought conditions. There are also many fallen branches and tree trunks you can trip over, hidden by the thick weeds. Blazes are sparse or lost due to bark peeling off dead trunks. Mosquitos were heavy, but this time I did not encounter ticks. I was there mid-September, 2024. There were some good points! Both common and uncommon late-season wetland wildflowers were blooming. Bring waterproof boots, repellent, a head net and clippers, if...