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Merrill Creek Reservoir
Washington, NJ
Summary: Moderate hike around Merrill Creek Reservoir. Great view of the reservoir, opportunities to spot wildlife, and a nice visitor center.
6.6 miles. Trail surface is mostly easy, with some rocks/roots in areas. The end of this loop is very flat – mostly level dirt or gravel.
- Shorter: Several options from the visitor center: Shoreline trail (BLUE) at 2.0 miles, and Orchard (GREEN) or Timber (RED) both around a half mile each.
- Longer: This hike can be made about .9 miles longer if the orange trail loop is added, and perhaps a bit more if some trail portions are overlapped around the visitor center… but otherwise, that's all the trail here.
Map: Print out from the Merrill Creek Reservoir website, or check at the visitor center.
Books: Trail descriptions in New
Jersey Walk Book
Parking: 87 to 78W to exit 4, then meander through back roads… Get the detailed directions on the Merrill Creek site.
Rest Rooms: Bathrooms are in the visitor center. If you arrive before it opens, try the boat launch area next to the visitor center for a porta-john. There is also a porta-john by the NW1 Dike parking area (marked on the trail map).
Hike Directions: RED – BLUE – YELLOW – BLACK. We started from behind the visitor center and took trails that hugged the reservoir, then picked up the Perimeter Trail (BLACK). The trail map is good, trails are very well marked, and at many intersections are plaques with "you are here" maps.
For a 6.6 mile loop:
0.0 - Trails start from behind the visitor center. The trail is not marked at first, walk down it a bit to a map.
0.1 - At the map, take RED to the LEFT, which will go around the "deer enclosure area" marked on the trail map. [The RED and BLUE trail also go to the left.]
0.55 - Map signpost. Continue straight, now following BLUE. [To the right, RED will return to the visitor center.]
0.7 - Continue straight on BLUE. [YELLOW is on the RIGHT]
0.8 - Turn LEFT and continue on BLUE. [YELLOW is on the RIGHT]
1.7 - Turn LEFT, now following YELLOW. [YELLOW also goes to the RIGHT, heading back towards the visitor center]
2.0 - Turn LEFT and start following BLACK (Perimeter Trail) [YELLOW continues straight and will meet up with other trails]
Cross the Merrill Creek on a footbridge, then the trail hugs the shoreline. Cross NW Dike 2.
3.1 - Parking lot, porta-john, hawk watch. Continue following BLACK (Perimeter Trail) as it crosses NW Dike 1.
Continue following the BLACK markers as the Perimeter trail goes around the reservoir. The trail goes through an area of pines.
5.0 - Cross the Main Dam. We took the upper trail that crosses the Main Dam, there is a lower trail option as well without views of the reservoir.
5.0 - Cross SE Dike. Continue following the easy woods road as it heads to the boat trailer parking area.
6.4 - At the boat trailer parking area, look across the lot to the left for the trail, near a small building.
Follow BLACK straight to get back to the visitor center, passing GREEN on the right.
Hiked: 11/21/10
