Sometimes the best-kept secrets in a state are right under our nose, and that’s definitely the case for the Garden State. Despite being a densely-populated state, we’ve got plenty of natural havens, including some massive state parks – and sometimes, those parks have secrets even frequent visitors don’t know about! That’s exactly what we found in Ringwood State Park, one of New Jersey’s most northern state parks near the New York border. It’s home to Shepherd Lake Recreation Area, a little-known lake in NJ surrounded by a laid-back recreation area perfect for a day trip. This isolated haven usually doesn’t have the crowds of the state’s other popular water areas, so come along with us to discover why Shepherd Lake may just become your new favorite Garden State secret.

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Have you visited Shepherd Lake in Ringwood State Park? What did you think of this little-known lake in NJ? Let us know in the comments section! You can find out more about the park and its amenities on the official NJ government website, and you can see more photos of the Shepherd Lake Loop on AllTrails. If this is your first time at Ringwood State Park, you might want to explore the historic area more – it’s like an ice palace in winter. Finally, if you love winter hiking, consider subscribing to AllTrails + – it’s invaluable when hiking in out-of-the-way areas if you want to ensure you stay connected, thanks to subscriber features like downloadable trail maps and alerts for the routes.

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