Rocking at Ringwood

Our intent was to enjoy a chill ride through Ringwood State Park from Shepherd Lake to the Botanical Gardens and then maybe try out a trail or two (off camera) for a potential MTB ride at another time. I suppose that's what we did, but I left the camera on for most of it because it was FUN! If you've never been, Ringwood State Park is home to the NJ State Botanical Gardens. Ringwood State Park is a premier outdoor destination located in the heart of the Ramapo Mountains in Passaic County, New Jersey. Spanning 4,444 acres, this massive park is a legendary hub for East Coast mountain biking, famed for its rugged glacial terrain, steep tech lines, and deep networks of multi-state trails. 🚴 Mountain Biking & Trail Terrain Ringwood is notorious among mountain bikers for its "all rocks, all the time" reputation. The park features a dedicated 7.5-mile mountain bike loop co-maintained by the Jersey Off Road Bicycling Association (JORBA). Technical Rigor: The terrain is choked with technical rock gardens, loose shale, steep switchbacks, and massive glacial boulders. Riders frequently face slick stream crossings and steep drops. Cross-Border Networks: The trails don't stop at the state line. Paths like the Cooper Union and State Line Trail cross directly into New York's Sterling Forest State Park, allowing for massive multi-state endurance loops. 🌲 Core Landmarks Within the Park The park seamlessly blends pristine, rugged wilderness with centuries-old cultural history: Shepherd Lake Recreation Area: A stunning 74-acre spring-fed lake that serves as a primary trailhead for cyclists and hikers. It features a boat launch and swimming area, and even retains the eerie remains of a 1960s ski slope complete with old lift structures. NJ State Botanical Garden at Skylands: A complete contrast to the rugged singletrack, this area features Skylands Manor and manicured specialty gardens. Smooth, scenic carriage roads wrap around the estate, transitioning safely between casual riding and backcountry singletrack. Warm Puppy Rock: A locally famous, massive rock outcrop that provides an elevated viewpoint looking out over the forested valleys. In mountain biking terminology, it acts as a critical landmark where the Ringwood-Ramapo Trail intersects with the Crossover Trail. Ringwood Manor: A National Historic Landmark on the western side of the park, anchoring a 19th-century iron-plantation estate with old forge remnants and historic structures. 🐻 Wildlife & Nature Situated in the dense Northeastern coastal forests, the park provides a critical wildlife corridor. Cyclists frequently spot black bears, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and copperhead snakes. Rushing streams like Cupsaw Brook wind through the valleys, creating muddy patches and vibrant wetlands that keep the ecosystem thriving. The video doesn't capture the nearly three hours of riding we did. After we circled back to Shepherd Lake, we ascended up and around the lake, just into NY. What goes up, must come down! We had a BLAST bombing back downhill and we were laughing back to the lot because it was such a wild ride. We both want to go back and push a little harder next time and tackle some of the tougher trails. We spotted several other MTBers along this ride. Some of them were kind enough to check on us while we were taking a break. Maybe we'll see YOU there next time! #mtb #pov #outdoors #mountainbike #cycling #pickyourtrail #outdoors #insta360 #trek