AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Apshawa Preserve

Butler Reservoir–Red Viewpoint, 8 sights

3 mi · ▲ 599 ft · 1 hr 18 min

Butler Reservoir–Red Viewpoint, 8 sights is a 3-mile out-and-back in Apshawa Preserve near Smiths Mills, NJ. The route passes White Viewpoint, Butler Reservoir and Red Viewpoint. It climbs 599 ft, with sections as steep as 25% grade. It scores 21/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi614 – 968 ft · steepest grade: 25%3.3 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Blue Trail 41.02522, -74.37385
Nearest town Smiths Mills, NJ
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Butler Reservoir–Red Viewpoint, 8 sights

3 mi · ▲ 599 ft · 1 hr 18 min

Elevation 612–968 ft

Out & Back · Apshawa Preserve

Trailhead: Blue Trail · 41.02522, -74.37385

Weather Sep 7: sunrise 6:31 AM · sunset 7:22 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Blue Trail, heading N.
  2. 0.2 miTurn right, heading NW.
  3. 500 ftContinue straight onto White Trail, heading W.
  4. 0.3 miPass White Viewpoint.
  5. 50 ftPass Butler Reservoir.
  6. 50 ftTurn left onto Red Trail, heading NW.
  7. 250 ftTurn right onto Green Loop Trail, heading SW.
  8. 50 ftBear left onto Red/Green Trail, heading SW.
  9. 250 ftBear left onto Red Trail, heading SW.
  10. 50 ftContinue straight onto Red/Green Loop Trail, heading SW.
  11. 250 ftContinue straight onto County Access Road, heading SW.
  12. 100 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  13. 50 ftPass Red Viewpoint.
  14. 50 ftReach Butler Reservoir, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  15. 150 ftSharp right onto Green Trail, heading W.
  16. 1.4 miContinue straight onto Orange Trail, heading NW.
  17. 0.1 miTurn right onto Blue Trail, heading NE.
  18. 0.2 miTurn right, heading SE.
  19. 0.1 miTurn left onto Purple Trail, heading N.
  20. 250 ftTurn right, heading N.
  21. 250 ftContinue straight onto Blue Trail, heading NE.
  22. 0.1 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/butler-reservoir-out-back

Trail surface

48% dirt52% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:31 AMSunset 7:22 PM

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Blue Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Smiths Mills, New Jersey