Lorrimer Sanctuary

Updated June 11, 2025

## Lorrimer Sanctuary: What to Know Before You Go in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey

Lorrimer Sanctuary is a small New Jersey Audubon nature preserve at 790 Ewing Avenue in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. It covers 14 acres, includes a self-guided trail system, and has a nature center in a historic house whose oldest sections date to the late 1700s. The property was bequeathed to New Jersey Audubon by Lucine L. Lorrimer in 1956. Jersey Audubon

If you are looking for a long hike, this is not that kind of place. Lorrimer works better as a short, quiet nature stop where the appeal is birdlife, woodland paths, and an easy reset from North Jersey traffic and suburban sprawl. New Jersey Audubon describes the sanctuary as mostly second-growth woods with trees such as oak, maple, ash, and beech, plus some planted evergreens. Jersey Audubon

### Where Lorrimer Sanctuary is

Lorrimer Sanctuary is in Franklin Lakes, Bergen County, New Jersey, at 790 Ewing Ave, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417. New Jersey Audubon and the Borough of Franklin Lakes both identify it as a Franklin Lakes destination. Jersey Audubon

A quick accuracy note: the source details you provided list the city as Ramapo, but the official address is Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Ramapo is a separate municipality in New York, so that field appears to be incorrect. Jersey Audubon

### What makes Lorrimer Sanctuary worth visiting

The biggest reason to visit is not scale. It is atmosphere.

Lorrimer is the kind of place that works well when you want a brief nature walk, not a major outing. The trails are short, the grounds are manageable, and the site has the structure of a true nature center rather than a park built around recreation first. According to New Jersey Audubon, the visitors’ center includes interpretive displays, hands-on exhibits, a winter bird feeding station, and a gift shop. Jersey Audubon

That mix makes it a good option for:

### A quick nature break
If you are already in Bergen County and want fresh air without committing to a half-day hike, Lorrimer is practical. Review-based trail descriptions also suggest the paths are relatively short and suited to slow walking rather than mileage-focused hiking.

### Birding and seasonal wildlife watching
Because the sanctuary is operated by New Jersey Audubon, wildlife observation is central to the site’s identity. Even when the walk itself is brief, the setting rewards people who move slowly and pay attention. Official materials emphasize that the site is a wildlife sanctuary where plants and animals are protected. Jersey Audubon

### Families and beginner-friendly outings
This is one of those places where a family with younger children, grandparents, or anyone easing back into outdoor walks may feel more comfortable than they would on a steeper or more remote trail. New Jersey Audubon also states that Lucy’s Trail is wheelchair accessible, which is useful for visitors seeking a more inclusive outdoor stop. Jersey Audubon

## What the trails are actually like

New Jersey Audubon says there is a self-guiding trail system through the 14-acre property, and the trails are open daily from dawn to dusk. Jersey Audubon

That official description matters because Lorrimer is often better understood as a nature center with trails rather than a destination for a conventional hike. Third-party descriptions support that distinction, noting that the paths are not especially long. Tripadvisor snippets mention two short trails, while AllTrails describes them as wonderful nature trails rather than miles-long routes. Those details are useful, but because they come from third-party sources, I would treat exact trail-length claims cautiously unless you confirm them on-site or on an official map.

So the best way to set expectations is this:

– Come for a gentle walk
– Expect a wooded sanctuary setting
– Think in terms of observation and quiet, not distance
– Plan extra time if you enjoy photography, birding, or reading the interpretive features

## The historic house adds more depth than many small preserves

One detail that gives Lorrimer more character than a simple local trailhead is the building itself. New Jersey Audubon says parts of the main house date to the late 1700s, and the house now serves as the visitors’ center and sanctuary office. Jersey Audubon

That matters because it changes the feel of the visit. Some small preserves are only parking lot plus trail. Lorrimer offers more of a heritage-and-nature experience, even in a compact space.

There is also evidence the site has been undergoing modernization work. The official sanctuary page notes renovation phases intended to modernize the building while preserving its historic character. Because renovation status can change, it is smart to check the official page before visiting if interior access matters to you. Jersey Audubon

## Hours and visitor information

According to the official New Jersey Audubon page:

– Sanctuary trails: open daily, dawn to dusk
– Nature Center and Gift Shop: Wednesday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jersey Audubon

There is one thing to flag here. Another official New Jersey Audubon document, a 2025 camp brochure, lists the nature center, gift shop, and office as open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Sunday through Tuesday. That conflicts with the main sanctuary webpage, so the webpage is likely the better source for current public hours, but I would still verify before driving over. Jersey Audubon

That is the kind of detail worth checking because small nature centers sometimes change schedules seasonally, during construction, or around programming.

## Practical tips before you go

### 1. Go with the right expectations
This is not a full-scale hiking destination. It is better for a short, restorative visit than a long workout. Jersey Audubon

### 2. Bring binoculars if you have them
Because the sanctuary is part of New Jersey Audubon, it makes sense to treat the visit as a birding or nature-observation stop, not just a walk. Jersey Audubon

### 3. Check official hours before visiting
The trails have a clear dawn-to-dusk policy, but the nature center hours show conflicting information across official materials. Verify the latest before you go if you want indoor access. Jersey Audubon

### 4. Respect the sanctuary rules
New Jersey Audubon states that all plants and animals are protected and may not be harmed, harassed, or removed. Jersey Audubon

### 5. Consider accessibility needs in advance
The official site states that Lucy’s Trail is wheelchair accessible, which makes Lorrimer more inclusive than many small wooded preserves. Still, if surface conditions are important for your visit, confirm current conditions directly with the sanctuary. Jersey Audubon

## Is Lorrimer Sanctuary worth it?

Yes, for the right kind of traveler.

Lorrimer Sanctuary is worth visiting if you want a brief, low-pressure outdoor stop with a real sense of place. It is especially appealing for people who enjoy birding, native woodland scenery, educational nature centers, and historic properties. It is less compelling if your goal is a strenuous hike, sweeping viewpoints, or a destination that fills an entire day.

That distinction is what makes the site easy to underrate online. People expecting a major hiking area may find it too small. People who want a quiet nature walk in Bergen County may find it exactly right. The official description, the short trail system, and the protected sanctuary setting all point in the same direction: Lorrimer is best appreciated slowly. Jersey Audubon

## Final take

Lorrimer Sanctuary is one of those places that works best when you know what it is before you arrive. It is a compact New Jersey Audubon sanctuary in Franklin Lakes, built around short woodland trails, wildlife observation, and a historic visitors’ center. The property’s 14-acre footprint, dawn-to-dusk trail access, and wheelchair-accessible Lucy’s Trail make it a practical option for a calm outdoor stop rather than a major excursion. Jersey Audubon

For a publish-ready travel post, the one detail I would not leave uncorrected is the city field: this attraction is in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, not Ramapo. Also, because official materials show conflicting nature center hours, that is worth flagging in the article so readers do not assume the indoor facilities are open on a specific day without checking first. Jersey Audubon

I couldn’t add real internal links without your site’s existing URL structure or related article inventory.

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