Mills Reservation County Park

The Reservation is located on the First Watchung Mountain where the parkland has been preserved in its natural state, including deciduous woodland and wetlands.  Aside from blazed trails and wood roads crisscrossing around and through it, the only development is a small parking area.

The three Watchung mountain ranges were formed when molten lava extruded out of the earth’s surface and cooled rapidly.  The outcrop at Quarry Point provides not only a scenic lookout of the surrounding area, including the NYC skyline, but also an opportunity to examine the basaltic lava.

Driving:  

• From the Garden State Parkway south -- take Exit 154 (Clifton). Bear left after the toll booths, following the sign to Route 46, and continue west on Route 46. In 0.9 mile, take the Valley Road exit. At the bottom of the ramp, bear right onto Valley Road north, but immediately turn left, following the sign for "Montclair," then bear left again at the sign "U-Turn, Montclair." Proceed south along Valley Road for 1.0 mile and turn right onto Normal Avenue. Cross the railroad tracks, continue uphill for another 0.3 mile, and turn left into the parking area for Mills Reservation at the top of the hill, just past the intersection with Granite Drive.
• From I-280 West -- take Exit 8B, turn north onto Prospect Avenue/Route 23. Turn right onto Ridge Road; right onto Reservoir Drive; right onto Normal Avenue. Reservation is on the right.

Public Transportation:

• The park is 0.3 mile uphill along Normal Avenue from the Montclair Heights station on the Montclair-Boonton rail line of NJ Transit (service provided only on weekdays), and NJ Transit bus #191/195, which provides hourly service seven days a week, stops at the parking area near the intersection of Normal Avenue and Granite Drive. See www.njtransit.com, or call 800-722-2222 (in New Jersey) or 973-762-5100 (outside New Jersey).