Ringwood State Park is a 5,000 acre state park with many hiking trails. Ringwood State Park entrance is just across the street from the NJ Botanical Garden entrance and Shepherd’s Lake.

In addition to the hiking trails, Ringwood State Park has a small playground for little children and a serene area of babbling brooks with a bridge and picnic tables. The brook is enjoyable to wade in. It is an extremely relaxing place to visit. Follow the signs in the park to the picnic area.

Ringwood Manor, is an intriguing 51 room mansion originally built in the 1864. The house had a couple of additions, the last one done in 1910. The house still has the original magnificent furnishings and wallpaper used by the Hewitt family for the country home imported from around the world.

The landscape around the Manor is beautifully designed. There is also a Carriage House and Blacksmith House on the property.

Outside the Manor there is a replica of a canon. That site is said to have been used to play a large role in helping George Washington win the Revolution.

Note: No photography is allowed inside the Manor.

Posted: August 24, 2017