Fairy Trail

For more than a decade, small “fairy houses” have been secretly popping up along a half-mile stretch of the white-blazed Rahway Trail starting at the Locust Grove picnic area in the Reservation.  These were mostly the work of a local artist and founder of the Fairy Trail, Therese Ojibway. It has been enormously popular since publicity in the New York Times and during the pandemic where it is promoted on many websites.

The South Mountain Conservancy worked with Therese over several years to enhance the experience of visitors of all ages by maintaining the trail, installing low rope fencing and constructing a new, safer bridge. Our aim is to make it sustainable in light of its enormous popularity (see master plan).

When Therese left the area in the summer of 2022, Julie Gould  and Beth Kelly jointly took on the program responsibilities. If you are interested in working with them as part of a Fairy Trail Makers and Keepers group, contact them at fairytrail@somocon.org. (This group is for adults 18 and older, and for teenagers 15 to 17 with participation of parents.)

Leave No Trace: Do not add fairy homes to the trail nor construct lean-tos or other structures as they disrupt natural habitat, strip and compact the forest floor, and prevent seedlings from growing. 

Respect the fragile structures: While most small doors can be opened to view interiors, please do not touch or remove any items so others can also enjoy these creations.

Stay on the path: Because of its popularity, hundreds of people have scavenged the woods along the Rahway Fairy Trail in search of houses and to build forts, damaging the vegetation and paths. Fairy homes are visible from the path.

The Master Plan defines a significant restoration project for the South Mountain Fairy Trail. As a magnet for hundreds of people each week, the Fairy Trail has suffered: the path has expanded in many places beyond recognition, vegetation has been trampled, and the soil compressed. There are drainage problems resulting from  blocked or insufficient swales to direct water as it flows downhill. 

To address these issues the SMC developed a comprehensive plan to restore the trail and the surrounding habitat. The next step is to get funding for this plan from foundations, the County, and the public. Phase 1, which we hope to implement in 2021, will focus on the southern part of the trail near the Locust Grove parking lot with the installation of fencing, restorative planting and improving the trail path. The total cost for all phases of the project is estimated by the Conservancy at over $200,000.

If you are interested in sponsoring a bench along the trail please contact chair@somocon.org

Please show your support for these efforts to improve the Fairy Trail by donating to our special fund.

Google Locust Grove Parking or enter 197 Glen Ave., Millburn, into a GPS.  Parking fills up quickly; if the lot is full, park across the street. Do not block pedestrian walkways.

Trailhead starts to the left of the parking area along the Rahway Trail (white-blazed). You will see a large Fairy Trail Welcome sign (right) at this point.

To avoid ground-nesting bees and poison ivy, stay on the trail. There are port-a-johns in the parking area. Bring your own trash bag and carry out all trash.

At the end of the parking lot, up the path to the right, are some picnic tables for your use.