September is a great month for hiking in New Jersey.  The days begin to grow cooler and by the end of the month the first of the fall color is beginning to appear.  You can find several beautiful state parks around the Riverdale area that are great for hiking.  Pack a picnic, bring your favorite person to share the experience and go for a hiking trip this month!

Ringwood Manor State Park   Full of history, Ringwood Manor is the site of a former ironworks from Colonial times.  This self-sufficient plantation at one time housed everything necessary for the living of the workers involved in smelting iron, from sawmills and gristmills to farm fields for growing the food.  Today the location is a state park, with miles of scenic trails winding through the forest and the grand manor home open for tours on weekends.

Wawayanda State Park has a beautifully scenic hiking trail that is fairly level and winds past two lakes.  Pets are allowed.

Long Pond Ironworks has fascinating remnants of the old ironworks to observe.  They are in the process of being restored, so in places you can even see what they would have looked like when they were in use.  Close to some great boating and fishing areas.  Also good for birdwatching.

Photo credit: members.virtualtourist.com