11 Must-See Nature Centers and Botanical Gardens in Rockland County

Spend the day outside with your kids and explore nature centers, botanical gardens, and sanctuaries in Rockland and Bergen counties. Read through this guide to find 11 arboretums, nature preserves, environmental centers, farms, and public gardens, all packed with fun nature activities for the whole family. Let your little ones loose to explore wooded trails, learn about exotic plants, and see beautiful flowers. Our comprehensive list includes updated hours, admission, and more.

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Nature Centers & Botanical Gardens in Rockland County

1. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland Education Center

In-person events are cancelled, offices are closed to the public, and services are still running.
10 Patriot Hills Drive, Stony Point
845-429-7085
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Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm
Admission: FREE tour of the gardens on the last Sunday of each month (April–October) at 1pm; prices vary for other educational programs.
The Master Gardener Volunteers of Rockland County design and maintain eight demonstration gardens at the CCE Rockland Education Center, including ferns, herbs, ornamental grasses, native plants, a cutting garden, and a container garden. Educational programs for children include 4-H youth development, gardening classes and workshops, and a horticulture lab. Horticulture lab is open, and you can drop off samples to have your plants identified. Click here for Green Gardener Certificate program.

2. Rockland Lake State Park

299 Rockland Lake Road, Valley Cottage (pool entrance: 153 Rockland Lake Road)
845-268-3020
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Hours: park: daily, dawn to dusk. Pool: Monday-Friday, 10am-5:45pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11am-6:45pm
Admission: FREE. Pool: $3. Parking: $8 from early April through late October.
Rockland Lake State Park’s lake is located on a ridge of Hook Mountain, above the west bank of the Hudson River. It is home to many species of fish, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, and birds such as eagles, water birds, and songbirds. The park has a 3.2-mile bicycle path. The pool will open on May 27 and be open weekends and holidays through Sept. 4 (also open weekdays, 10am-5:45pm, late June through late August). Pets are not permitted May through September 30. Pets are permitted on leash (maximum 60’) through March, but pets are not permitted on paved paths.

Nature Centers & Botanical Gardens in Bergen County, NJ

1. Closter Nature Center

The trails and parking lot are open.
154 Ruckman Road, Closter
201-750-2778
[email protected]
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Hours: Trails: daily, dawn to dusk; special events and classes may have a fee.
Admission: Free
The Closter Nature Center is a beautiful oasis in the middle of suburban Closter, New Jersey. With 136 acres of ponds, brooks, meadows and forests to explore, the center is open to all local residents, providing informative monthly lectures and nature walks for the general public, as well as school or scout groups. Click here for preschool and after-school program registration. Click here for a walking trail map.

 

 

 

 

 

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2. Demarest Nature Center

90 Park St., Demarest
[email protected]
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Hours: daily, dawn to dusk
Admission: Free; special events and classes may have a fee.
The Demarest Nature Center is open to all persons, residents and non-residents alike, every day of the year. In addition to preserving and protecting important open space in the midst of a large metropolitan area, the center seeks to educate young and old alike as to the beauty of nature and the importance of protecting our environment. Click here for upcoming events such as John Goodwin Nature Photo Contest or bird feeding for children or Nature Walk and Volunteer Day.

3. Flat Rock Brook Nature Center

Hiking trails are open.
443 Van Nostrand Ave., Englewood
201-567-1625
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Hours: Trails open from dawn until dusk.
Admission: Free
Flat Rock Brook Nature Center is a 150-acre preserve and education center on the western slope of the Palisades in Englewood, New Jersey. A 3.6 mile network of self-guiding trails leads to a cascading stream, wetlands, pond, wildflower meadows, quarry cliffs and woodlands. The diversity of the natural landscape allows visitors to observe a remarkable array of birds and other wildlife.

 

 

 

 

 

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