Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve
Directions
In Princeton, across Route 206 from Community Park, just past the Pettoranello Gardens, a long paved driveway extends back into Mountain Lakes from the gate at 57 Mountain Avenue. GPS Coordinates: 40.361256, -74.676491
Park Overview
Mountain Lakes Preserve is a favorite for family walks just outside of downtown Princeton
Trail Overview
An 8-mile network of maintained trails traversing this Preserve, Mountain Lakes North, John Witherspoon Woods, parts of Tusculum (private) and Community Park North makes a variety of loop hikes possible. Pathways include a boardwalk (over wetlands) and paved bicycle roads. Click on the Web Map link on this site for a trail map of the entire open space area.
Park Description
This 75-acre natural area located just outside downtown Princeton is a favorite for family walks, birding, and fishing. Originally part of King George III's land grant to William Penn, it was farmed until the late nineteenth century. In the early 1980s it was purchased by Princeton Township -- in part through Green Acres funds -- and is now preserved as open space. With the Preserve’s two lakes, numerous rocky creeks, wooded wetlands, and upland forests, this park provides a diversity of ecosystems for native flora and fauna
It is part of a cluster of contiguous public parks and private open space (parts accessible to the public) likened by some as Princeton’s Central Park. Under the designation “Greater Mountain Lakes Open Space Area” they encompass 400 acres.
The Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS) was instrumental in the acquisition of the park property and maintains its trails.