Have you ever been to a place so beautiful that it seemed surreal? New Jersey is home to a host of mesmerizing locations, but the Leonard J. Buck Garden in Far Hills is truly breathtaking. A year-round gem, I highly recommend a spring or summer visit followed by a second trip in the fall. Admission is free though a small donation is suggested.
The Leonard J. Buck Garden is one of the nation’s premier rock gardens, with towering boulders dotting the landscape.
Flickr/Kristine Paulus
You’ll find 33 acres of lush greenery at this Somerset County Park, opened to the public in 1977.
Tejus Shah/My Landscape Shots
Enjoy alpine forest and a variety of trees, flowers and shrubs with a stream running through.
Tejus Shah/My Landscape Shots
Cross charming wooden bridges as you explore the property.
Tejus Shah/My Landscape Shots
Like something out of a fairy tale, lily pads dot the water. Perhaps a frog prince awaits?
Tejus Shah/My Landscape Shots
Take some time to daydream in the gazebo.
Yelp/Eddy B.
Stroll the winding pathways along the water.
Yelp/Igor I.
Admire the rock faces covered in ferns and moss.
Yelp/Igor I.
Delight in the natural beauty.
TripAdvisor/Bob B.
The gardens offer several distinct micro-climates, each supporting a variety of flora and fauna.
TripAdvisor/GinnyOnFire
You can visit during the fall for fantastic foliage.
TripAdvisor/Duck8to
Just look at these colors!
Trip Advisor/Duck8to
But now is the time to visit for pretty pastels and vibrant spring wildflowers.
Yelp/Igor I.
Flowers currently in or near peak bloom include daffodils, magnolias, lilies, hyacinths, starflowers, peonies and violets.
Yelp/Igor I.
You can find the Leonard J. Buck Garden at 11 Layton Road in Far Hills. Stop by the visitor center and arrange a guided tour for a small fee, or explore the gardens for yourself. Current hours are 10-4, Monday through Friday, 10-5 on Saturday and 12-5 on Sunday.
Flickr/Kristine Paulus
Tejus Shah/My Landscape Shots
Yelp/Eddy B.
Yelp/Igor I.
TripAdvisor/Bob B.
TripAdvisor/GinnyOnFire
TripAdvisor/Duck8to
Trip Advisor/Duck8to
Enjoy special events like Bonsai For Beginners, Woodland Walks, Photography Workshops and more. Next Sunday (4/30) the garden will be hosting a family-friendly Scavenger Hunt. For additional info, click here. For more New Jersey nature, check out the Ken Lockwood Gorge Wildlife Management Area or the Mullica River Trail along an abandoned rail line.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
