South Mountain - Fairy Trail - Millburn, NJ
South Mountain – Fairy Trail: A Dog-Friendly Gem in Millburn, New Jersey
Discover the magic of the South Mountain – Fairy Trail, a unique pet-friendly destination located in Millburn, NJ. This enchanting loop trail is just minutes from the heart of Millburn and welcomes dogs, making it one of the area’s favorite dog-friendly hiking spots. Known for its whimsical fairy houses, well-maintained pathways, and beautiful riverside views, the trail offers a one-of-a-kind experience for dog owners looking for a scenic walk with their furry friends.
The park features onsite and overflow parking, accessible paved pathways, picnic areas, grills, and restrooms. Shady woods, riverside vistas, and gentle walking terrain make it a fantastic choice for families and their pets. While the Fairy Trail is perfect for a short stroll, adventurous visitors can connect to longer hikes like the Lenape and Rahway trails. Kids will love the fairy houses and nearby picnic areas, while dog owners will appreciate the ample space for leashed pets, easy navigation, and friendly, welcoming vibe.
South Mountain – Fairy Trail FAQ
- Are dogs allowed at this park? Yes, dogs are welcome at South Mountain – Fairy Trail as long as they are on leash.
- Is the trail good for both kids and dogs? Yes, the Fairy Trail is family-friendly and perfect for pet owners. Children will enjoy spotting fairy houses, and the trail is accessible for all skill levels.
- Are there restrooms available? Yes, restrooms are located in the main parking lot.
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? There is a wheelchair accessible parking lot available.
- Are picnics or BBQs allowed? Yes, there are picnic areas and grills available near the trails.
- Is shade available on the trail? Yes, the entire area is shaded with beautiful tree canopies.
- Is there parking onsite? Yes, there is onsite parking, plus overflow parking at the library across the street (free on weekends).
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the Fairy Trail connects with longer trails such as the Lenape and Rahway trails.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Yes, the trail and park facilities are well maintained and clean according to visitor reviews.
Reviews
Nice short trail that takes you to the river. It’s a loop that takes you less than an hour non stop, however it’s nice to take hand out by the river. It has some cool fairy houses all over.
Nice trail. Very cute for families because they have these little toy houses and bird houses. Trails are well maintained too so it was very easy to navigate. Very nice waterfall and scenes.
What a hidden gem! The fairy houses are so magical, and there are so many adorable details on them when you look closer. My daughter loved spotting them along the trail. It’s so beautiful with the surrounding woods and river as well. Some of the friendliest people on the path, we even got lost and the sweetest couple helped us. The fairy houses start as soon as you reach the parking lot near the main road. If you go up hill there are a little tougher trails, picnic areas, and grills. There is also a restroom in the parking lot. Very kid friendly. Would come here all the time if we lived closer!
A beautiful walk in a stunning area. It’s tented with beautiful trees with a magical feel. Very clean and maintained. Imaginative fairy houses are in, above and hidden. This place is perfect for children and those just “childlike”. Be sure and bring pennies and glitter to leave by your favorites.
We started at this location and walked over to the Lenape trail (yellow on the map). The parking was full, however there is an overflow lot at the library across the street, which is free on the weekends. We planned to hike past Hobble Falls and then take the Rahway trail to return to the parking. However, it took us a long time just to reach the Balls Bluff intersection, so we decided to take the Balls Bluff trail, and eventually merge into the Rahway trail (white trail) earlier. Starting section of the lenape trail has an extreme elevation hike, which is a great warm-up, but after that it was pretty minor ups & downs to the end. Lenape trail is well maintained nicely marked with trail signs and very scenic. On the way, there is Washington Rock, a historic spot, followed by a viewing platform. After we merged onto the Rahway trail, we hiked next to the stream, which was beautiful. We made it back to the parking lot, with a few more detours via brown trail, in about 4 hours total, and about 15000 steps on the watch, which is roughly 6+ miles. Would love to come again, and do the full loop next time!! We didn’t do the fairy trail, although it’s good for little kids. The Rahway trail also has a mini dam, that controls water flow.