Passaic County · Ramapo Mountains · New Jersey Highlands
Ringwood, New Jersey
Ringwood is a large, wooded Highlands borough where residential lake communities sit among state parkland, reservoirs, forested ridges and historic sites. It is one of Passaic County's largest municipalities by area and one of its strongest outdoor-recreation destinations.
The borough's identity is closely tied to Ringwood State Park, the New Jersey Botanical Garden at Skylands, Ringwood Manor, Shepherd Lake and the surrounding Ramapo Mountains. Local commercial activity is more concentrated, with Skyline Drive and Greenwood Lake Turnpike serving many everyday shopping, dining and service needs.
Explore Ringwood
Ringwood has enough distinct local content to support a complete seven-page NJTGO guide, with especially deep coverage for local businesses, dining, real estate and outdoor recreation.
Ringwood at a glance
Ringwood lies in the Ramapo Mountains and is entirely within the Highlands Preservation Area, where regional planning places strong emphasis on water, forest and scenic-resource protection.
The New Jersey Highlands Council reports roughly 12,695 preserved acres—about 70% of the borough's Highlands acreage—helping explain Ringwood's unusually wooded character.
Ringwood State Park brings together Ringwood Manor, the New Jersey Botanical Garden at Skylands, Shepherd Lake and miles of recreation opportunities within the borough.
Ringwood includes established lake-oriented residential areas and neighborhoods set among steep terrain, woods and water resources. This geography shapes housing, roads and everyday travel.
Fieldstone Park and the Skyline Drive area, along with Greenwood Lake Turnpike/County Route 511, carry a large share of the borough's retail, dining, healthcare and service activity.
Ringwood's northern boundary meets Orange and Rockland counties in New York, while its New Jersey borders extend into both Passaic and Bergen counties.
Outdoors & recreation
Outdoor access is one of Ringwood's defining strengths, ranging from state-managed historic landscapes to municipal parks and neighborhood recreation.
At 1304 Sloatsburg Road, the state park supports hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, boating, fishing, seasonal recreation and historic-site visits.
The garden at Skylands is a 96-acre botanical showplace surrounding Skylands Manor, with formal gardens, woodland walks and seasonal displays.
The manor and surrounding National Historic Landmark District interpret the area's ironmaking, estate and community history.
A 74-acre lake within Ringwood State Park supports seasonal recreation including boating, fishing and lakeside activities, subject to current park rules.
Jenkins Park, Pioneer Park, the Margaret King Avenue fields and other borough facilities provide ballfields, courts, playgrounds and local recreation.
Current borough recreation offerings include youth sports plus adult pickleball, volleyball, soccer, basketball, fitness, Pilates, yoga, walking and tennis programming.
Schools & education
Ringwood, NJ 07456
Ringwood, NJ 07456
Ringwood, NJ 07456
Ringwood, NJ 07456
Wanaque, NJ 07465
The regional high school serving Ringwood students.
History & community identity
Ringwood voters approved formation of the borough in 1918. Long before that municipal milestone, the area's iron industry and large estates shaped the landscape that visitors see today at Ringwood Manor and Skylands. The modern borough remains strongly influenced by its mountains, forests, lakes and water resources.
Government & official resources
Discover more of Ringwood
Continue through NJTGO's complete Ringwood guide for businesses, restaurants, housing, visitor planning, classifieds and employment resources.
Advertising & Enhanced Listings Submit a CorrectionMunicipal, school, recreation, planning and visitor information reviewed in September 2026. Time-sensitive rules, programs, closures and hours should be verified with the responsible agency before a visit.