​​Garret Mountain - Your Perfect Nature Escape Just Outside NYC​​

📍 ​​Garret Mountain Reservation​​ 8 Mountain Ave, Woodland Park, NJ 07424 Today's magical moment? Locking eyes with a wild deer 🦌 standing gracefully between sun-dappled trees. This gentle creature watched me with quiet curiosity - a true forest fairy encounter! 🌳 ​​Why We Love It:​​ Wildlife Surprises​​: Deer, foxes, and over 150 bird species call this place home ​​Panoramic Views​​: NYC skyline visible from the cliffs (perfect sunset spot!) ​​Easy Trails​​: Well-maintained paths for all fitness levels 🕒 ​​Best Times to Visit:​​ 🌅 ​​Sunrise/Sunset​​: Highest chance for animal sightings ☀️ ​​Weekday Mornings​​: Peaceful solitude 📸 ​​Photo Ops:​​ The historic Lambert Castle overlooking the valley Reflection shots at Barbour Pond That magical "deer glade" near the yellow trail 🚗 ​​Getting There:​​ Just 30 mins from Manhattan via Route 80 (ample free parking) 💡 ​​Pro Tips:​​ Bring binoculars for birdwatching Pack a picnic - there are perfect meadow spots Dogs allowed on leash! ​​#GarretMountain #NJNature #DeerEncounter #NYCEscape #HikingNJ #WeekendVibes #NatureTherapy #WildlifePhotography #ForestBathing #NJParks #EasyHikes #SunsetViews #UrbanEscape #NYCWeekend #HiddenNJ​​