Swimming River Reservoir–Marlu Lake, 3 lakes
5.9 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 1 hr 59 min
Swimming River Reservoir–Marlu Lake, 3 lakes is a 5.9-mile out-and-back in Thompson Park near Holmdel, NJ. The route passes Marlu Lake before reaching Swimming River Reservoir at the turnaround, 2.9 miles in. It is mostly level, with 26 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Swimming River Reservoir–Marlu Lake, 3 lakes
5.9 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 1 hr 59 min
Elevation 44–90 ft
Out & Back · Thompson Park
Trailhead: 40.33593, -74.16441
Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 81°F / low 69° · precip 3% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 6:29 AM · sunset 7:24 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading N.
- 350 ftTurn right, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading NW.
- 50 ftBear right, heading N.
- 250 ftBear left, heading NW.
- 200 ftBear left, heading W.
- 400 ftBear right, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 0.1 miBear right onto Thompson Loop, heading NE.
- 0.3 miPass Marlu Lake.
- 1.3 miBear right, heading SE.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Thompson/Inner Loop, heading S.
- 300 ftTurn left onto Reservoir Trail, heading SW.
- 0.8 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 150 ftSharp right, heading SE.
- 50 ftReach Swimming River Reservoir, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 50 ftSharp left onto Arena Drive, heading SE.
- 150 ftTurn right, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 0.8 miTurn right onto Thompson/Inner Loop, heading NE.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading W.
- 1.3 miContinue straight onto Thompson Loop, heading W.
- 0.3 miBear left, heading W.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 50 ftBear left, heading NW.
- 400 ftBear right, heading NW.
- 200 ftBear right, heading SW.
- 250 ftBear left, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
- 150 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.2 mi in (~30 min). Leave by 6:34 PM for the 7:24 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:09 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Marlu Lake–Marlu Trail, 5 sights 5.2 mi · ▲ 26 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Holmdel, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Holmdel, New Jersey