Is Woodland Park (NJ) safe?
Woodland Park, New Jersey · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Woodland Park (NJ) as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Woodland Park (NJ)
“Go. Woodland Park is a safe, quiet suburban borough in Passaic County that offers scenic parks and comfortable residential neighborhoods. Visitors can explore local outdoor recreation and casual dining without safety concerns typical of denser urban centers.”
About the area
Formerly known as West Paterson, Woodland Park is a tranquil suburban community nestled between Garret Mountain and the Passaic River. It features quiet residential streets, a major commercial strip along Route 46, and expansive scenic parkland.
- Suburban / Quiet
- Family-Friendly
- Scenic Views
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Woodland Park (NJ)
Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 41/100
There is no municipal bike-share system, but recreational cycling is popular within Garret Mountain Reservation and Rifle Camp Park.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are substantially lower than national and regional averages
- High median household income exceeding $100,000 with low residential vacancy rates
- Direct access to Garret Mountain Reservation and panoramic views of the NYC skyline
Cons
- Commercial corridors along Route 46 experience occasional retail property theft
- Car dependency and highway congestion along major arteries during rush hours
- Hilly topography and limited continuous sidewalks in certain residential pockets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically nonexistent in Woodland Park, with no encampments or concentrated street panhandling present.
What Woodland Park (NJ) is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe with commuters heading out and locals walking dogs through residential streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy around Route 46 retail plazas and quiet in the neighborhoods, with very low risk for visitors.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and family-oriented with steady, safe foot traffic near local restaurants.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and dark along residential avenues with minimal activity and little to no street safety concern.
Transit, parking and getting around
NJ Transit operates bus routes including the 197 and 704 through the borough connecting to Midtown Manhattan and Paterson; the nearest rail stations are Little Falls and Paterson on the Montclair-Boonton and Main lines, both roughly a 5-to-10-minute drive away.
Parking is readily available throughout the borough with abundant free parking lots at shopping centers and easy, unmetered street parking on residential roads.
Things to do in Woodland Park (NJ)
- Hike and birdwatch while taking in city views at Garret Mountain Reservation
- Visit Lambert Castle and its surrounding historical grounds on the mountain ridge
- Relax or fish along the scenic trails at Rifle Camp Park
Local favorites
- Bask Bar & Grill · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (850)Polished local bar and grill offering steak, seafood, craft cocktails, and patio dining.
- Park West Diner · Diner · 4.3★ (1650)Classic New Jersey diner serving generous comfort food staples, breakfast classics, and baked goods.
- Francesco's Restaurant · Italian Restaurant · 4.5★ (520)Longstanding neighborhood staple serving traditional Southern Italian dishes and pizza.
Neighborhoods near Woodland Park (NJ)
Common questions about Woodland Park (NJ)
Is Woodland Park (NJ) safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Woodland Park (NJ) a good place to live?
On safety, Woodland Park (NJ) scores 84/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Woodland Park (NJ)?
Walk score 52/100 and bike score 41/100. Some errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Woodland Park (NJ) are safer?
Great Notch (91), Singac (90), Richfield (85) score higher nearby.
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