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October 9 - 16

The Hunt For Orange October!

Early morning fog is slow to fade as I pull the fly rod from its cotton sleeve. When the sun breaks through the shroud, leaves of poplar, black birch, oak, and shagbark hickory appear to glow. Awash in color, the surrounding hills complement the two sections of golden cane.
The annual fall foliage bloom is dependent primarily on moisture and the first frost, but peak leaf viewing in Northwest New Jersey normally begins in the first half of October. So, do yourself a favor and leave it all behind for a couple of hours on the road, lined with good things to do and colorful panoramas for leaf peepers. Pick from a multitude of scenic tours and daytrips and watch out for our virtual efforts to keep you informed.

Art and Fellowship

At the heart of the estate stands the 18th-century farmhouse.
At the western edge of the Great Swamp, less than a mile from downtown Basking Ridge, lies the fifty-acre Boudinot-Southard-Ross Estate—also known today as The Ross Farm. This historic property has been home to several prominent families whose legacies shaped both New Jersey and the nation. Today it is also a destination for music, art and natural heritage. You can tour the farmhouse and grounds during this weekend's Somerset County Journey Through the Past.

Roadside Attractions

Van Campen Inn on Old Mine Road in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
A casual stop at the Isaac Van Campen House (or Van Campen Inn) blossoms effortlessly into a full day of exploration and discovery. The Inn is among the most prominent "official” destinations along the Old Mine Road, but it is not at all apparent how many features actually wait here for discovery. You can find out this Sunday (Oct. 12, 2025) on Van Campen Day, during the Walpack Historical Society's annual heritage weekend.

Trickle Down

Spruce Run Creek is a sparkling ribbon of natural beauty whose course through rich agricultural land interspersed with hardwood and evergreen forests still embodies the area's early history and provides sanctuary for many species of wildlife. The spring rises along the ridge of Schooley's Mountain, ten miles northeast of the reservoir near the boundary of Washington Township, in Morris County, and Lebanon Township, in Hunterdon County.

Denville Detour

Jonathan's Woods. Photo by Dan Balogh.
Even today, if you needed a natural hideout—a really good one—Jonathan’s Woods could work. This six hundred plus acre pocket of undeveloped property, speckled with high and low ferns and Indian paintbrush, crossed by slender streams and marked by sharply rising rocky outcroppings, lies not far from one of Morris County’s busiest highways: Interstate Route 80. And yet the tract offers unexpected isolation. You could, as they say, get lost here!

Discover!





Thanks for joining us in our appreciation of Northwest New Jersey and all the brilliant ways to get out and enjoy the pleasures of the season. Tap our calendar for the best events for you and your family, or check our current stories. Pick from a multitude of daytrip itineraries and watch out for our virtual efforts to keep you informed. For the more aerobically inclined, the Outdoor Map shows the way to go, or choose among dozens of natural attractions or outdoor activities suggested on our website.
Like many other small, independent and specialized information sources, our operation will increasingly rely on reader donations. Help us keep you informed about all the great stuff to do in and around Northwest New Jersey! If you like what we offer, we hope you'll consider a contribution.

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