Passaic County

When Passaic County is mentioned, most people think of the lower portion of this hourglass-shaped count, an urbanized and suburbanized area.  But the northwest contains some beautiful habitat.  Long Pond Ironworks and other nearby state parks have an abundance of habitat and Newark's watershed is part of one of the largest contiguous forests in the metropolitan area. 

Note that access to the Newark Watershed is by permit, available during regular weekday hours at their office on Echo Lake Road north of Route 23.  Ask for a hiking permit, but tell them you are looking for dragonflies.  The permit costs $8.00, a bargain not only for odes, but also for birds and just plain old walkingin the woods.

Click here for printable Passaic County checklist