Union County opens hayride ticket sales for five October dates

Tickets for Union County's annual Hayrides & Campfires program went on sale Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 9 a.m., with five October dates across two parks.

The program runs at two locations familiar to Summit-area families: Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside, inside the Watchung Reservation, and Warinanco Park in Roselle. Tickets cost $6 for county residents and $12 for non-residents. All must be purchased in advance at ucnj.org/ticket. No walk-up sales are available.

Each ticket covers one hayride, entertainment, hot chocolate and marshmallows. The county encourages guests to bring a blanket or chair to enjoy the campfire. Group sales are capped at 15 people, and no refunds or exchanges are offered.

"We encourage families and friends to make plans early, reserve their tickets and come enjoy a great night in our parks," Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek said in a county statement Aug. 31.

At check-in, each ticket is exchanged for a numbered hayride pass. Hayrides depart about every 20 minutes on a first-come, first-served basis. Friday attendees must check in by 8 p.m.; Sunday attendees by 5 p.m. Anyone arriving after those cutoffs is not guaranteed a ride.

If rain cancels a date, ticket holders will be rescheduled to another available session as space permits. For Friday rain updates, call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-558-4079 after 3 p.m. For Sunday rain updates, call Trailside at 908-789-3670 after 1 p.m.

2026 schedule

Friday, Oct. 2: Warinanco Park, 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 4: Trailside, Mountainside, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 9: Trailside, Mountainside, 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 11: Trailside, Mountainside, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 16: Trailside, Mountainside, 6:30–9:30 p.m.

Trailside Nature & Science Center is at 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (908-789-3670). Warinanco Park reservations are handled through the Warinanco Sports Center at 1 Park Drive, Roselle (908-527-4900).