Rutgers University Ecological Preserve

Beautiful Trails! Hike by rivers, across bridges, through meadows, there's even a Wheelchair Accessible trail! Love this place. Such a hidden gem. Everyone should visit!

This pocket of tranquility, right on the Rutgers Livingston campus, is a breathtaking place for respite, exercise, and natural wonder for Rutgers staff, students, and locals alike. I've enjoyed many walks here, and often you will be one of the only ones on the trail. Scenic, quiet, beautiful!

The Rutgers University Ecological Preserve is an amazing place to check out any time of year. I went during the recent changing of the leaves in the fall season. Please check out the photos which I have attached. It is a place for many students and local residents go to enjoy nature and tranquility. You can hear many different birds as well as other forms of wildlife during the year track through the various trails in the preserve. I went with a few friends including one who was also in a wheelchair. It is a little tricky navigating during the fall as some of the ground is still a little damp. It is not an easy trail so if you are in a manual chair prepared to do some heavy pushing. I am in a power chair so it was a little easier. There are some places that you will have to go slow or may opt to turn around. It is easy to get stuck if you are not careful. I would recommend traveling with someone else in case you need assistance. In our case we reached the end of the trail when we could not go over a small stream that did not have a usable bridge. There are a lot of other trails than individual can check out again if you have a disability please use your judgment and preferably bring someone in case there are any issues. There are no restrooms available as far as I saw. I believe the University is looking to make these trails more accessible in the future. When they do I will add the extra star.

Beautiful walking trails and a true gem. Very accessible from the Rutgers Livingston campus. Due to COVID parking was not a problem. We parked at the business school. But I’m sure normally that wouldn’t be ok. The trails are clearly marked. We walked down the Red trail, then the Green loop. The Yellow trail provides a little cardio workout - having a few gentle inclines. Overall it is very well maintained.

Nice preserve to go on a hike. Couple of streams running throughout. Used to be a US Army camp, so there are some bunkers hidden in the preserve