As cold weather sets in, it's the perfect time to visit Palisades Interstate Park for the best winter hike in New Jersey

New Jersey is such a densely-packed state that it's sometimes easy to forget just how beautiful it is. Whenever I need a reminder, one of my favorite things to do is to visit Palisades Interstate Park. Located just across the river from New Jersey, it's home to dozens of trails and overlooks that offer some of the state's best views of the New York City skyline. You could easily spend days exploring this unique park, and during the summer, it's one of the busiest parks in the state. However, the crowds are much smaller during the colder months, which is when it offers the best winter hike in New Jersey, giving you a birds-eye view of the skyline as it transforms into a winter wonderland.

The Palisades Long Path Loop, clocking in at 1.9 miles, is a moderate hike offering some challenging terrain through the cliffs and surrounding woods. During the winter, the possible slick terrain and snowy paths add an extra challenge—but for those who brave it, they'll encounter some of the state's best natural beauty, only miles from the most bustling spots in the northeast.

I've long been a big fan of the Palisades Interstate Park's massive trail system, with many of the sprawling trails around it taking you to some of New Jersey's best overlooks. The panorama here is amazing, whether you're looking at the skyline or at the more peaceful areas in other directions.

However, during the winter, the whole area becomes a completely different view. Whether it has snowed recently or not—we just got through several years where the white stuff was few and far between—you'll see a brilliant ice coating on much of the nearby water when the temperature dips below zero.

As you explore the Palisades Long Path Loop, which clocks in at 1.9 miles with an elevation gain of 311 feet, keep an eye out for the small waterfalls along the way. If you ask me, a frozen-solid waterfall is one of nature's most mysterious and beautiful sights, the climate stopping a force like this in its tracks.

The hike is rated moderate and can generally be navigated with a good pair of hiking boots, although the terrain can be a little trickier in the snow. Still, it's well worth it to reach the hike's stunning overlooks, which offer one of the most pastoral views in the Garden State during the winter.

Have you taken this beautiful winter hike in New Jersey before? If you'd like to see the cliffs of the Palisades like never before, make sure to tell a friend about this article—hikes like this are always better with a partner! You can see more photos of this trail on the AllTrails trail listing, and we highly recommend a subscription to AllTrails +, the hiking app with the best trail guides around, for any challenging winter hike.

There's plenty to see around Palisades Interstate Park, including the beautiful Greenbrook Falls, as well as the ruins of Cliff Dale Manor, but if you need more ideas when you're in the area, make sure to pay a visit to Only in Your State's AI-powered travel planner to design your own customized itinerary!