free Parking
There are various parking lots and garages throughout The South Mountain Recreation Complex that provide FREE parking.
By Bus:
There are bus stops on Northfield Ave., most commonly Bus 73. Use South Mountain Arena Park/Ride in West Orange Essex Co as your destination.
By Train:
Use the East Orange (handicap accessible) to Millburn stations on the Morris & Essex Line.
From NJ Turnpike:
Take NJ Turnpike to EXIT 15W. Take Rte. 280 WEST to EXIT 10. Turn LEFT at the light. Turtle Back Zoo is about 3 miles away on the left.
From the Garden State Parkway:
Take Garden State Parkway ( North or South) to EXIT 145. Then take Rt. 280 WEST to EXIT 10. Turn LEFT at the light. Turtle Back Zoo is about 3 miles away on the left side.
From Rt. 280:
WEST | Take Rte.280 WEST to EXIT 10. Turn Left at the light. TBZ is about 3 miles away on the left.
EAST | Take Rte. 280 EAST to EXIT 7. At the traffic light turn LEFT onto Pleasant Valley Way. Go to the 2nd light and turn LEFT onto Northfield Ave. Turtle Back Zoo is about a quarter of a mile on the right side.
From Rt. 80:
WEST | Take Rt. 80 West to Garden State Parkway or NJ Turnpike.
EAST | Take Rt. 80 EAST to Rt. 280 EAST. Take Rt. 280 EAST to EXIT 7. At the traffic light turn LEFT onto Pleasant Valley Way. Go to the 3rd light and turn LEFT onto Northfield Ave. The zoo is about a quarter of a mile on the right side.
From Rt. 23:
Take Rt. 23 SOUTH to Bloomfield Ave. As you cross Bloomfield Ave, the name changes to Prospect Ave. Take Prospect Ave all the way to the end. At the traffic light turn RIGHT onto Northfield Ave. Turtle Back Zoo is about 1 mile on the left side.
From Rt. 287:
Take Rt. 287 SOUTH to Rt. 80 EAST. Rt. 80 EAST to Rt. 280 EAST. Take Rt. 280 EAST to EXIT to EXIT 7. At the traffic light turn LEFT onto Pleasant Valley Way. Go to the 3rd light and turn LEFT onto Northfield Ave. The zoo is about a quarter mile on the right.
From JFK BLVD:
Coming from Summit, Chatam and Madison areas: Take JFK NORTH into Livingston. Make a RIGHT onto Northfield Ave. Turtle Back Zoo is about 4 miles down on your right side.
From Rt.10:
Take Rt. 10 EAST to Livingston Circle. As you go around you will see a sign for Northfield Ave. Get on Northfield Ave. Turtle Back Zoo is about 4 miles down on your right side.
From Rt. 78 East:
WEST | Take Rt. 78 WEST. Continue STRAIGHT on Rt. 24 West. Take EXIT 9A. Merge onto Morris and Essex Turnpike. Make a LEFT onto Millburn Ave. Turn LEFT onto Main St. Turn RIGHT onto Brookside Drive/ Paper Mill Way. Make a slight LEFT at Cherry Lane. Then make a RIGHT onto Northfield Ave. The Turtle Back Zoo is about a quarter of a mile on your right.
EAST | Take Rt. 78 EAST to EXIT 49A. Take exit 49A onto Springfield Ave. Make a RIGHT onto Main St. Turn Right onto Brookside Drive/ Paper Mill Way. Make a slight LEFT at Cherry Lane. Then make a RIGHT onto Northfield Ave. The Turtle Back Zoo is about a quarter of a mile on your right.
From South Orange Ave:
Take South Orange Ave to South Mountain Reservation. In the reservation you will see a light (*note if you are coming from Newark on S. Orange Ave, you will turn right, if you are coming from Livingston on S. Orange Ave you will turn left). This traffic light is Cherry Lane. Take Cherry Lane to the traffic light and turn RIGHT. Turtle Back Zoo is about a quarter of a mile on the right side.
From GW Bridge, Holland and Lincoln Tunnels:
Follow signs from the GW Bridge or Lincoln Tunnel or Holland Tunnel to the Garden State Parkway or NJ Turnpike.
From Staten Island:
Take Outer Bridge to Garden State Parkway North. Then follow Parkway directions to the zoo.