Patricia Bertsch, Director
Location: 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, NJ 07092
Hours: Noon to 5 p.m., 7 Days a Week | Admission: Free
E-mail: trailside@ucnj.org | Phone: 908-789-3670

Upcoming Events

Dusk Hike
Friday, May 10, 2013, 7:00PM – 8:00PM

International Migratory Bird Day
Saturday, May 11, 2013, 10:00AM – 4:00PM

Cooking with Wild Edibles
Thursday, May 16, 7:00PM – 8:30PM

Astronomy Day
Saturday, May 18, 2013, 2:00PM – 4:00PM & 8:00PM – 10:00PM

Gentle Beginner Yoga
May 21, 28, June 4, 11 & 18, 7:15PM – 8:15PM


Trailside Nature & Science Center is Union County’s Environmental Education Center, located in the Watchung Reservation, a 2,065-acre preserve containing woodlands, fields, lakes, streams and more than 13 miles of hiking trails.

This serene setting provides the perfect classroom to have fun while learning about the natural world. Renovated in September 2006, the Center houses 4,500 square feet of interactive, state-of-the art exhibits, including a towering 34-foot American beech tree exhibit that fills the building’s atrium.

This jewel, secluded in the Watchungs, also features classrooms that look out on the Reservation, a multipurpose room, a library, children’s discovery room and a 250-seat auditorium.