Hidden gem

Garret Mountain Auto Overlook, Paterson NJ

A free, drive-up view over Paterson, a short trip from New York City. Many visitors to the area miss it. On a clear day the trails nearby also show the Manhattan skyline.

Where: Garret Mountain Reservation, 8 Mountain Avenue, Woodland Park, NJ 07424 (a Passaic County park on the ridge above Paterson)
Hours: Sunrise to sunset, every day
Cost: Free parking and trails. Lambert Castle charges admission.
Good for: Sunset views, a short walk, photography, a break from city sightseeing
Park phone: (973) 881-4833

Hours, fees and access can change. Check with Passaic County before you go.

Why it's different

Most visitors see New York City's skyline from the city itself. Garret Mountain shows it from the other side of the Hudson. The reservation sits on a ridge more than 500 feet above sea level, with a paved drive looping the top. Along it, the Auto Overlook (also called the Paterson View) lets you pull up and look out over Paterson, an old silk-mill city, without hiking at all.

What to see

The Auto Overlook. Park and walk a few steps for a wide view over Paterson and the towns around it.
The NYC skyline. Several overlooks along the Yellow Trail face east. On clear days you can see Clifton and southern Paterson below, with Manhattan in the distance.
Lambert's Tower. A 70-foot stone observation tower built in 1896 by silk manufacturer Catholina Lambert, on the cliffs above his castle. It isn't always open.
Lambert Castle. Lambert's 1890s home at the foot of the mountain. It reopened in February 2026 after a multi-year restoration and is now a museum, usually open Wednesday to Sunday with timed tickets.
Barbour's Pond. A pond by the boathouse, stocked for fishing. The reservation also has an equestrian centre.

Make a day of it

Walk the Yellow Trail loop. About 3 miles, easy to moderate, roughly 2 hours. It passes the tower and the skyline overlooks.
Pair it with the Great Falls. Paterson Great Falls, the waterfall that powered Paterson's mills, is a short drive away. It's now a national historical park.
Time it for sunset. Late afternoon is a good time for the view. The park closes at sunset, so leave enough time to get back to your car.

Get ready to go

Wear shoes with grip. Trail sections are rocky, and some overlooks sit near cliff edges, so stay back from the edge.
Bring water, and a layer for the wind on the ridge.
Dogs are welcome on a leash.
Lambert Castle uses timed tickets. Book ahead on busy weekends.

Sources

Last checked October 2026.