Searching for a one-of-a-kind day trip or an easy hike in New Jersey? Wander through the ruins and catch a sweeping view across northern New Jersey at the unique Van Slyke Castle in Ramapo Mountain State Forest.

One of the best views in the Garden State comes from the top of a mountain not far from the busy I-287 in Passaic County.
AllTrails / Angela Davies
Up here on Ramapo Mountain, the ruins of a former castle turn a typical overlook into an incredible place for adventure.
AllTrails / Lisa Tuccillo
To reach the Van Slyke Castle, you'll follow a mellow path that's mostly paved and lasts for just 2.3 miles.
The castle itself was built in the early 1900s by a wealthy stock broker named William Porter.
AllTrails / Helen Li
Porter named the estate "Foxcroft" and lived here for nearly half a century.
When Foxcroft was abandoned in the 1950s, it quickly fell to ruin.
AllTrails / Anna Aiello

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Because the area is so accessible and the castle estate was well-known, it became an easy target for vandals, who burned the abandoned home.
AllTrails / Helen Li
Today, the ruins atop Ramapo Mountain have been preserved as part of Ramapo Mountain State Forest, which covers more than 4,000 acres of land surrounding the mountain and Ramapo Lake.
AllTrails / Ken Karp
On a clear day, this may be the best view of Manhattan from New Jersey.
AllTrails / Sofia Calderon
The open, 360-degree summit area from the ruins of the Van Slyke Castle provides sweeping panoramic views of Passaic and Bergen County and well into New York State.
From way up here, you'll find a view that is sure to take your breath away.
AllTrails / Yohanayyg User

For trail maps and information, visit the Ramapo Mountain State Forest website.

If you enjoy overlook trails in the Garden State, why not tackle The Mt. Tammany Trail In New Jersey That’s Ranked Among The Most Beautiful In America?

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Ramapo Mountain State Forest, Wanaque, NJ 07465, USA