Terrace Pond — Bearfort Mountain

What to bring

Day-hike essentials for this trail. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

LOWA Renegade EVO GTX MidGORE-TEX, 3 widths, resolableCheck price on Amazon →Hydro Flask Wide Mouth 32ozinsulated, durableCheck price on Amazon →Osprey Talon 22ventilated back, pole carryCheck price on Amazon →Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight .7day-hike specific, waterproofCheck price on Amazon →Black Diamond Spot 400-Rrechargeable, comfortableCheck price on Amazon →

What to Expect

Terrace Pond is a spring-fed glacial pond sitting on a puddingstone conglomerate shelf at 1,380 feet on Bearfort Mountain, and swimming in it on a summer afternoon is one of the best experiences you can have on a New Jersey trail. The water is tea-colored from tannins but clean, and the rock shelves around the shoreline make natural platforms for lounging and jumping in. The setting — ringed by pitch pine and blueberry scrub on exposed bedrock — feels like a backcountry pond in the Adirondacks.

The most direct route is the yellow-blazed Terrace Pond South trail from Clinton Road, about 4 miles round trip with some rocky ridge walking along Bearfort Mountain. The terrain on Bearfort Ridge is unique in New Jersey — puddingstone conglomerate outcrops, exposed bedrock slabs, and stunted pitch pine. The ridge views looking west over Greenwood Lake and the Highlands are solid. An alternative approach via the Terrace Pond Red Trail from the north makes a longer loop (about 7 miles) with more varied terrain.

Difficulty

Moderate to hard. The 4-mile route via the south trail gains about 900 feet and includes rocky ridge scrambling on Bearfort Mountain that requires hands in a few spots. The conglomerate rock is rough and grippy when dry but treacherous when wet. Route-finding on the ridge requires attention — the blazes are spaced further apart than you’d expect. The longer red trail loop is more moderate but adds significant distance. Either way, this is not a flat walk to a swimming hole.

Best Time to Go

Summer for swimming — July and August are prime. The water is cold but the rock shelves around the pond warm up in the sun and the backcountry setting makes it feel like a reward you earned. Fall is beautiful for the ridge walking — the blueberry scrub turns red against the gray conglomerate rock. Spring can be muddy on the lower trails and the water is too cold for most swimmers. The pond area is popular on summer weekends but the hike in keeps the crowds manageable.

Before You Go

The Terrace Pond South trailhead is on Clinton Road in West Milford Township, Passaic County. Clinton Road is locally famous for being New Jersey’s creepiest road (look it up), but in daylight it’s just a winding forest road. Small pull-off parking at the trailhead — free. No restrooms. The trail is blazed yellow (south) or red (north). Bring a swimsuit and water shoes. No lifeguards, no facilities at the pond. Cell service is unreliable on the ridge. About 45 miles from NYC (75-90 minutes). Greenwood Lake is 20 minutes west for food.

Gear for this hike

Our day-hike checklist — the picks that show up again and again from tested gear roundups. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

LOWA Renegade EVO GTX MidGORE-TEX, 3 widths, resolableCheck price on Amazon →Hydro Flask Wide Mouth 32ozinsulated, durableCheck price on Amazon →Osprey Talon 22ventilated back, pole carryCheck price on Amazon →Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight .7day-hike specific, waterproofCheck price on Amazon →Black Diamond Spot 400-Rrechargeable, comfortableCheck price on Amazon →Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacketdurable, trail + everydayCheck price on Amazon →Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweightlifetime warrantyCheck price on Amazon →Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Polescork grip, lightweightCheck price on Amazon →Sawyer Squeeze Water Filterultralight, standard threadsCheck price on Amazon →Sawyer Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent Spraytreat clothing; kills ticksCheck price on Amazon →Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Long Sleeve HoodyUPF 50, hood + thumb holesCheck price on Amazon →