Before you go riding

Before you go riding in New Jersey, you need to understand the laws. If you plan to do any horseback riding on public or state owned lands, you are going to need a permit. These can be requested from the state for a nominal fee of $25, and cover you for the year.

Best Public Trails for Horseback Riding in New Jersey

These trails all require the permit, and should not be traveled without it. The fee is small enough that it shouldn’t be an issue even for those traveling to New Jersey to visit.

Berkshire Valley Management Area Trail

The Berkshire Valley Management Area Trail is a 2.1 mile long trail that is perfect for a short afternoon trip with your horse. The trail leads you through hardwood forests, and contains some of the most beautiful views of the valley below to the right.

Once a connector to the Ogden Mine Railroad, the trail now provides relaxation and enjoyment to hikers, equestrians, and anybody that wants to enjoy it.

Black River Wildlife Management Area Trail

The trail follows the right-of-way of the former Chester Branch of the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad, from Chester Station to Ironia. The trail is a solid 4 mile one-way trip, which will give you a great work out and day with your horse.

Buena Borough Bike Path

First thing’s first, this is an asphalt trail, so be prepared for that. The 1.9 mile long trail begins along Southwest Boulevard at Harding Highway, and heads along the boulevard, across Central Avenue, and into Bruno Melini Memorial Park.

Columbia Trail

The Columbia Trail is a solid 15 mile long trail of crushed stone. It rides along the South Branch of the Raritan River, passing through historical communites such as High Bride and Califon, and a steep natural gorge.

Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail

The D & R Trail runs along for 72.8 miles. In various locations it is surfaced in asphalt, crushed stone, and dirt. It holds the distinction of being the longest completed multiuse trail in New Jersey, and has been described as “the crown jewel of New Jersey trails.”

Due to the immense nature of the trail, it’s only natural that parts of it will become impassable at times, either due to flooding or other damage. For updates on trail conditions, visit the Canal State Park website.

Elephant Swamp Trail

Legend says in the late 1800, an elephant got loose int he swamp when a traveling circus passed through Elk Township by railroad. The elephant might be gone, but the name has stuck.

This 5 mile long trail is surfaced in crushed stone, dirt, gravel, and woodchips.

Great Valley Trail

As it’s name would suggest, the Great Valley Trail is surfaced in dirt and grass, over a 3.5 mile stretch. Even though this trail might be short, it is a connector trail to two other’s — the Sussex Branch Trail, and the Paulinskill Valley Trail — which join to create a 13 mile continuous loop.

Henry Hudson Trail

The Henry Hudson Trail’s 22.5 miles of tree lined scenic beauty are broken into northern and southern sections by the Garden State Parkway. The trail is further broken apart into multiple locally named trails: the Monmouth Heritage Trail (5.9 miles), Morganville to Matawan (4.8 miles), Aberdeen Township to Atlantic Highlands (9.7 miles), and Bayshore Trail (2.1 miles).

Historic Smithville Park Trails

This trail resides within Smithville, NJ, in the Smithville Park which is only open between 8AM to 30 minutes after sunset, so get there early to enjoy a long day.

The trail itself is only 3.9 miles long, but carries you through a gorgeous woodland, and up to beautiful water views.

Kingston Branch Loop Trail

The Kingston Branch Loop Trail is a short 1.75 mile trip in Somerset county. To the east you will follow the bed of the Rocky Hill Railroad and Transportation Company.

If you’re adventurous enough, you can make this loop a few times, taking your time to explore the various sights and sounds on a relaxing horseback ride.

Lake Iliff Trail

This trail is exciting in it’s newness. This is the first trail in the Lehigh & Hudson River Rail Trail. You can go out now before it becomes overrun with people, learn the trail, find your favorite hidden spots, and then come back again when the full trail is finished to enjoy the rest!

Lawrence Hopewell Trail

The Lawrence Hopewell Trail spans 19.2 miles of asphalt and crushed stone, but travels through gorgeous fields and river scenes. Check out everything from bird watching, to a former distillary, and even a “Pole Farm.”

Loantaka Brook Reservation Trail

The Loantaka Brook Reservation Trail is 7 miles long, and open to hikers, cyclists, and equestrians — but be sure you’re keeping an eye on the signs. Different sections of the trail have different restrictions.

Manasquan Reservoir Trail

Nestled in the Township of HOwell, the Manasquan Reservoir Trail takes you on a calming 4.8 mile journey into a heavy canopy of trees, stone paths, and all the way down to the lake where your horse can hydrate, and you can dip your feet in the water.

Don’t forget to snap a picture though, the sights are unbelievably beautiful.

Ogden Mine Railroad Path

Follow an abandoned railroad bed through beautiful hardwood forests, past ponds, swamp, and wetlands, and lose yourself in a forest world. With only 2.7 miles of trail, you can temporarily forget about society and technology, and for a short time it will be just you and your horse.

Paulinskill Valley Trail

Fun Fact: Did you know Kill is the Dutch word for River? No? I didn’t until today, either. So, it turns out that Paulinskill wasn’t named after some scary murder scene, but after the Paulins Kill confluence, that the trail runs from.

Sussex Branch Trail

Originally the Sussex Mine Railroad, this 18 mile trail system carries along the water, and through beautiful thickets of trees. It intersects with the Paulinskill Valley Trail.

Taylor SteelWorkers Historical Greenway

This modern trail was created in 2007, and spans 7 miles. If you enjoy bird watching you can get your fill of Bald Eagles here, so don’t forget to pack along your binoculars.

Union Transportation Trail

This 9 mile trail in Monmouth has beautiful sites and fun walking bridges for the kids to enjoy.

Best Private Locations to go Horseback Riding in New Jersey

Below you will find a collection of the best spots in New Jersey that we’ve found that either allow horseback riding on trails, or offer horseback riding lessons. Some do both.

Bella Rosa Riding Academy

• Phone: (732) 938-5445
• E-Mail: stephen@bellarosara.com
• Website: http://BellaRosaRA.com/

Circle A Riding Academy

• Phone: (732) 938-2004
• Website: https://www.facebook.com/CircleARidingAcademy/

Compassionate Friends Therapeutic Riding Center

• Phone: (609) 320-5363

D&D Stables

• Phone: (856) 697-6317
• E-Mail: chicosfarm@yahoo.com
• Website: http://www.ddstables.com/

Dream Park & Equestrian Center

• Phone: (856) 241-1415
• Website: http://dreamparknj.com/

Echo Lakes Stables

• Phone: (973) 697-1257
• E-Mail: echolakestables@hotmail.com
• Website: http://www.echolakestables.com/

Elite Equine Group at Garret Mountain Equestrian Center

• Phone: (973) 279-2974
• Website: http://www.eliteequinegroup.com

Essex Equestrian Center

• Phone: (973) 731-4182
• E-Mail: essexequestriancenter@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.essexequestrian.com/

Farrington Farms

• Phone: (732) 821-9844
• E-Mail: farringtonfarms@comcast.net
• Website: https://farringtonfarms.com/

Fox Hunt Farm

• Phone: (609) 238-1835
• E-Mail: foxhuntfarm@verizon.net
• Website: http://foxhuntfarm.com/

Handy Acres Farm

• Phone: (732) 928-5146
• Website: https://www.handyacresnj.com/

Hunter Brook Horse Farm

• Phone: (732) 319-0662
• E-Mail: Maureen@hunterbrookhorsefarm.com
• Website: http://hunterbrookhorsefarm.com/

Kafka Farms

• Phone: (908) 405-8038
• Website: https://kafkafarms.com/

Legacy Stables

• Phone: (732) 727-3838
• Website: http://www.legacyridingstables.com/

Legends Riding Stable

• Phone: (973) 827-8332
• Website: http://www.saddleupatlegends.com/

Majoda Stables

• Phone: (856) 231-7552
• E-Mail: majodastables1992@gmail.com
• Website: https://majodastables.com/

Miller Farms

• Phone: (609) 561-2436
• E-Mail: millerfarmsevents@gmail.com
• Website: https://millerfarmsllc.com/

Mortonhouse Farm

• Phone: (908) 432-7437
• E-Mail: jen@mortonhousefarm.com
• Website: http://www.mortonhousefarm.com/

Okey Doke Ranch

• Phone: (856) 224-0195
• E-Mail: okeydoke.ranch@yahoo.com
• Website: https://okeydokeranch.webs.com/

Riding High Farm

• Phone: (609) 259-3884
• Website: https://ridinghighfarm.org/

Round Valley Ranch

• Phone: (908) 437-8252
• E-Mail: info@rideroundvalley.com
• Website: https://www.rideroundvalley.com/

Saddle Ridge Riding Center

• Phone: (201) 847-9999
• E-Mail: saddleridge900@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.saddleridgeridingcenter.com/

Seaton Hackney Stables

• Phone: (973) 644-3355
• E-Mail: info@seatonhackney.com
• Website: https://www.seatonhackney.com/

Silver Bit and Spur Farm

• Phone: (908) 534-4010
• Website: https://silver-bit-spur-farm.business.site/

Split Elm Equestrian

• Phone: (609) 576-5508
• E-Mail: gopony010@yahoo.com
• Website: https://www.splitelm.com/

Spring Valley Equestrian Center

• Phone: (973) 383-3766
• Website: http://www.springvalleyequestriancenter.com/

Suffolk Stables

• Phone: (609) 346-7093
• Website: https://suffolkstables.com/

The Horse Park of NJ

• Phone: (609) 259-0170
• E-Mail: horseparkofnj@aol.com
• Website: https://www.horseparkofnewjersey.com/

Top View Riding Ranch

• Phone: (908) 362-1440
• Website: http://www.topviewridingranch.com/

Triple E Training

• Phone: (609) 661-9192
• Website: https://www.tripleetrainingllc.com/

Washington Riding Stables

• Phone: (732) 727-3838
• E-Mail: fbojum@aol.com
• Website: http://www.washingtonstables.com/

Woodege Stables and Equestrian School

• Phone: (856) 235-5623
• E-Mail: information@woodedge.com
• Website: http://www.woodedge.com/