be sure to scroll down for my 4 minute video of our trip. You can also grab my TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park promo code for tickets!
Disclosure: I was provided tickets to TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park in order to bring you this review. All opinions are my own. Just remember, I wouldn't recommend a place to you if I totally didn't love it myself. We visited in 2019 and again in 2025. We love it so much, we want to come back a third time very soon!
There is a lot of information here, but my posts are always designed for easy reading. You can scroll through to find the bold headings you are looking for. I keep my posts updated and answer questions/comments, so feel free to Pin this post for later, too.
A Note from The Jersey Momma ❤🌳
Before I tell you about TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park, I have to remind you how my posts work. I will give you my honest opinion about the places I visit, but it's ultimately up to you to decide whether or not you want to go, too. What might be right for me may not be right for your family. That's why I give you the most details I can, and then you decide from there. That being said, I truly loved this place. I have visited many attractions and venues in New Jersey, but this one stole my heart. I was excited to try TreEscape, but when we arrived, I started to have second thoughts. I got a little bit frustrated and wanted to quit. But I didn't, and I can't even explain to you the pride I feel in myself today. It sounds corny, but it's true. So read on and see what you think of TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park, and hopefully I can inspire you to try it out, too.
What is TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park?
TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park is a hidden gem of a place located in Vernon, New Jersey. Here's a blurb directly from TreEscape that best explains what they're about:
"TreEscape is a fun and thrilling experience for people of all ages, including kids as young as 4. We have 2 dedicated courses out of the 10 available in the park for young adventurers aged between 4 and 6, ensuring fun for all skill levels. We offer 10 different obstacle courses: 2 purple ones for younger kids, 2 yellow, 3 green, 2 blue, and one black course, Drillers Dare, which is the most challenging course in the park. There are over 100 unique obstacles and numerous ziplines varying in distance. We also have a dedicated zipline course, the Black Creek Flyer, one of the most thrilling zipline adventures in New Jersey. This is a 60-minute adventure featuring over 1200 feet of ziplines across varying terrain, soaring 50 feet above the ground. Safety is our top priority, and we want everyone to have an enjoyable experience. We begin with a 30-minute briefing, and once every guest starts climbing, our staff is spread around the park, offering support and guidance as needed. We are located in the beautiful valley of Vernon, just one hour and 30 minutes' driving distance from downtown New York. Our property includes a golf club, Great Gorge, and a restaurant, Hef’s Hut. We recently opened a new amenity, 1Club, a park golf course, first of its kind in New Jersey."
Who is TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park For?
TreEscape has courses designed for different experience levels and age groups. Please check their Rules page for all of the information you need about age restrictions and trail levels. TreEscape is also perfect for groups, birthday parties, team building, scouts and more. Find more info about group visits here. The photo below explains the trails (each trail is a different color and difficulty level) for different age groups (this photo is from the TreEscape website and I do not own the rights to it):
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| a view of some of the purple trails for younger kids |
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| a view of one of the green trails - more challenging |
If you're visiting with children, plan your visit based on your child's likes and abilities. I saw children as young as five enjoying the kids' trails, and groups of kids at a birthday party enjoying the park together. Staff is very helpful and will walk everyone through the safety steps, no matter what your age is.
Most people who lead an active lifestyle and are in good health should not have any difficulty in completing many of the trails. You can proceed at a pace that is comfortable to you. You are also welcome to leave the ropes course and take a break. Unlike the purple, yellow and green trails, the black trails are very challenging. In my personal opinion, I wouldn't attempt this at all if you have a physical ailment of any kind (including strained/pulled muscles, high blood pressure, if you're overweight, etc). You have to be honest about your own abilities. I am by no means athletic and really only run when chased. But I walk my dog 2 miles a day, I swim laps in the summer and I do pilates almost every day. I try to maintain a decent weight (although this is a constant struggle, ladies, am I right?). I did just fine on the trails when I thought I was "getting too old for this." I learned that I was actually in better shape than I thought, and was stronger than I thought, too. If you are afraid of heights, there are lower trails you can try that are not as high up in the trees.
When You Arrive at TreEscape
You'll be asked to fill out a waiver (unless you did it ahead of time via email or online). There is a check-in desk in the venue parking lot, and once you get your wristband, you're free to make the short walk over to TreEscape. It's a scenic little walk through the woods, past the Great Gorge Golf Course. We visited in the Fall and it was absolutely beautiful. Some of the pathway up to the park is paved but the rest is a dirt trail, so wear your good walking/climbing shoes (do I really need to tell you that?).
You'll be asked to fill out a waiver (unless you did it ahead of time via email or online). There is a check-in desk in the venue parking lot, and once you get your wristband, you're free to make the short walk over to TreEscape. It's a scenic little walk through the woods, past the Great Gorge Golf Course. We visited in the Fall and it was absolutely beautiful. Some of the pathway up to the park is paved but the rest is a dirt trail, so wear your good walking/climbing shoes (do I really need to tell you that?).
Once you arrive at the park, the guides will show you what to do with your things (there are lockers here so you can bring a bag, which I recommend - see more about that in my tips section below). Then they'll get you ready with your gear (don't worry, they help you put all of your safety equipment on and they are very reassuring). After you are geared up, you'll get a brief overview of how everything works and what to do. There is no safety video or sit-down instruction. The guides are very knowledgeable, and not only show you what to do with your gear but will also have you demo it on a small course so you understand how it works. Gloves are required and provided (but if you prefer to bring your own gloves, you can do that, too). The hooks and lines take a little bit of practice. I am not a very technical person, but once I practiced it a few times, I understood how it worked and I was ready for my adventure.
In the Treetops
Before I arrived I assumed there would be staff throughout the courses, helping us to get from one platform to another and making sure we were all secure for our zip-line experience every time we reached a new platform. I also thought we'd be wearing helmets. If that's what you thought, too, scratch all of that. There are staff members situated throughout the park, and if you need them, all you have to do is yell, "STAFF!" and someone will come to assist you. But other than that, once you're up in the treetops, you're on your own. So if you're nervous, it helps to have a good support system. I wanted my husband behind me (in case I screwed up or got confused) and my son ahead of me so I could keep an eye on him (turns out he didn't need me AT ALL and actually assisted me, and then eventually went off on his own to the more challenging courses). You are connected to the line at all times, so there is no danger of you falling to the ground, trust me. It took me a few tries to get the hang of the hook method that keeps you attached to the line, but eventually, I got it, and I know you will, too. You also have to attach yourself for the zip-line, which freaked me out at first, but also became super easy once I got the hang of it. I also want to add how fun it was to be outside and climbing in the treetops. I loved hearing the hoots and calls of other climbers as they enjoyed the zip-lines. There are sounds of laughter and fun throughout the whole park. Even though it was challenging, it was also relaxing to be out in the woods like that.
Before I arrived I assumed there would be staff throughout the courses, helping us to get from one platform to another and making sure we were all secure for our zip-line experience every time we reached a new platform. I also thought we'd be wearing helmets. If that's what you thought, too, scratch all of that. There are staff members situated throughout the park, and if you need them, all you have to do is yell, "STAFF!" and someone will come to assist you. But other than that, once you're up in the treetops, you're on your own. So if you're nervous, it helps to have a good support system. I wanted my husband behind me (in case I screwed up or got confused) and my son ahead of me so I could keep an eye on him (turns out he didn't need me AT ALL and actually assisted me, and then eventually went off on his own to the more challenging courses). You are connected to the line at all times, so there is no danger of you falling to the ground, trust me. It took me a few tries to get the hang of the hook method that keeps you attached to the line, but eventually, I got it, and I know you will, too. You also have to attach yourself for the zip-line, which freaked me out at first, but also became super easy once I got the hang of it. I also want to add how fun it was to be outside and climbing in the treetops. I loved hearing the hoots and calls of other climbers as they enjoyed the zip-lines. There are sounds of laughter and fun throughout the whole park. Even though it was challenging, it was also relaxing to be out in the woods like that.
How Much Does TreEscape Cost?
As of the publication date of this entry, an adult ticket (valid for three hours of climbing) is around $60 and a child ticket (ages 4-6 is $25). But always check their ticketing page for the most accurate information. You can also be an observer (no charge) if you don't want to climb. There are picnic tables you can sit at and paths you can walk on to see your friends and family in the trees. Parking is free (yay!). Use code JERSEYMOMMA for 10% off your purchase (this promo code is valid only until 11/23/25, so hurry!) Their season ends in November, so don't delay if you want to visit this year.
Here's a run-down of their hours (but again, always check their website or call ahead for the most accurate information). Night hours are available, but call ahead or check their social channels for times and dates. Please read all information about their hours, how their reservation time slots work, and what to do if for inclement weather or ticket refunds. All of that information can be found on their website under hours/pricing or on their FAQ page.
Time sure flies! The picture above was taken in 2019. Below, 2025.
Your climbing experience lasts three hours, but be sure to plan a little extra time before and after to include the walk to and from. My son (a teenager) completed four trails (including the most challenging, black). My husband completed four, as well. I know my limits so I just did two (both green- woo hoo!) and relaxed at a picnic bench and took photos after I was done. You can also purchase a pass to just do their ziplining course, which sounded pretty fun to me (the ziplines were my favorite!).
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| My boy on a green trail during our first visit in 2019 |
You are not permitted to bring your own food in the park, but be sure to bring a water bottle (you'll need it when you're done). You can keep it in the locker. We ate lunch after our climb at Hef's Hut Bar & Grill, which is up the hill at the country club. It was DELICIOUS!! And I tell you, I was dreaming of that Aperol Spritz while I was climbing! Ha ha! The view from Hef's Hut is beautiful and it was the perfect place to relax after climbing. Fun fact: it's worth mentioning here that when you arrive at the country club/ Hef's Hut, you will actually drive through the grounds of the former Playboy Club, which was the "it" spot in the 1970's. Sadly, it's now abandoned and has fallen into disarray (but I hold on to hope that someone will swoop in and rescue this historic venue). It's sad yet oddly fascinating to see. And now you know the origin of the name "Hef's Hut." Be sure to check their operating hours before visiting.
My TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park Video
Here's a little video of our experience from our first trip to TreEscape in 2019. Stay tuned for my latest video, and check out my reel on Instagram.
Important Jersey Momma Tips and Advice
Be sure to read through all of the info on the TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park website before your arrival, as most of this info is there, too. But here are some tips and suggestions I can give you before your experience.
Jersey Momma Tips and Advice for Visiting TreEscape:
-your climbing experience is supposed to last about three hours, so be sure to plan a little extra time before and after (I would say our entire visit, from check in to check out, was from about 11:15am-3:00pm, then we stayed for a late lunch at Hef's Hut).
-wear comfortable, close fitting clothing (nothing too baggy or restrictive, and nothing that hangs or could get tangled in the equipment). Your harness will always be your outermost layer, and can't go beneath any clothing.
-wear good shoes (good sneakers are okay). Sandals and open toed shoes are not permitted. Honestly, I wouldn't even wear Vans or Converse! Wear a sneaker with good treads or something that grips well.
-long hair has to be pulled back or pinned up (you don't want it getting stuck in the equipment, trust me)
-please be courteous to others around you. If you have people behind you and you feel you want to go at a slower pace, you can always let them go ahead of you by stepping aside and letting them pass you to the next element on the platform.
-following suit to what I just said above, choose your trails wisely! If your child is fearful, maybe not quite tall enough or strong enough, then start on the less challenging courses. If someone you are with struggles on the yellow course, then I don't recommend jumping to green for your next try. If your child is not the correct age for the trail, please don't disregard the rules.
-you can't bring bags, fanny packs or anything like that on the trails. I kept my phone in the locker. My husband had a big pocket in his jacket so he was able to keep his phone and take photos for us when he reached the platforms.
-bring a small bag with bottled water to keep in the locker. Even though it was not hot out when we visited, we still got thirsty and took a break for some water after each trail.
-there are picnic tables throughout the park so if you need to take a break, there are plenty of places to sit and relax a bit. It's very shaded beneath the trees (obviously).
-you'll be hungry by the time you're done with this, so plan ahead about where you'll eat afterwards, whether it's Hef's Hut or somewhere else in the local area. You cannot bring food into the park.
-you might be sore the next day. It's a pretty good workout for your muscles.
-I'm not going to lie to you, there were some parts of the green trail that scared me. I stood in the middle of some of the courses thinking, 'I can't do this,' or 'How am I going to do this?' But once I paused and took a deep breath, my mind started to figure it out. The biggest piece of advice I can give you about visiting is this: DO NOT LET YOUR FEAR TAKE OVER! The minute you start doubting yourself, you will feel the fear creep in and sabotage you. It really is a matter of letting your mind guide you, and maybe even hearing your support system call out to you, "You got this! You can do this, mommy!" That meant the world to me. My husband also kept things fun. He was behind me and would occasionally blurt out something ridiculous, which would make me laugh and help diminish the fear (at one point as I was climbing up one path, he called out, "You're a monkey, Derek!" which is one of our favorite lines from the movie, Zoolander. 🤣).
Here's a little video of our experience from our first trip to TreEscape in 2019. Stay tuned for my latest video, and check out my reel on Instagram.
Important Jersey Momma Tips and Advice
Be sure to read through all of the info on the TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park website before your arrival, as most of this info is there, too. But here are some tips and suggestions I can give you before your experience.
-your climbing experience is supposed to last about three hours, so be sure to plan a little extra time before and after (I would say our entire visit, from check in to check out, was from about 11:15am-3:00pm, then we stayed for a late lunch at Hef's Hut).
-wear comfortable, close fitting clothing (nothing too baggy or restrictive, and nothing that hangs or could get tangled in the equipment). Your harness will always be your outermost layer, and can't go beneath any clothing.
-wear good shoes (good sneakers are okay). Sandals and open toed shoes are not permitted. Honestly, I wouldn't even wear Vans or Converse! Wear a sneaker with good treads or something that grips well.
-long hair has to be pulled back or pinned up (you don't want it getting stuck in the equipment, trust me)
-please be courteous to others around you. If you have people behind you and you feel you want to go at a slower pace, you can always let them go ahead of you by stepping aside and letting them pass you to the next element on the platform.
-following suit to what I just said above, choose your trails wisely! If your child is fearful, maybe not quite tall enough or strong enough, then start on the less challenging courses. If someone you are with struggles on the yellow course, then I don't recommend jumping to green for your next try. If your child is not the correct age for the trail, please don't disregard the rules.
-you can't bring bags, fanny packs or anything like that on the trails. I kept my phone in the locker. My husband had a big pocket in his jacket so he was able to keep his phone and take photos for us when he reached the platforms.
-bring a small bag with bottled water to keep in the locker. Even though it was not hot out when we visited, we still got thirsty and took a break for some water after each trail.
-there are picnic tables throughout the park so if you need to take a break, there are plenty of places to sit and relax a bit. It's very shaded beneath the trees (obviously).
-you'll be hungry by the time you're done with this, so plan ahead about where you'll eat afterwards, whether it's Hef's Hut or somewhere else in the local area. You cannot bring food into the park.
-you might be sore the next day. It's a pretty good workout for your muscles.
-I'm not going to lie to you, there were some parts of the green trail that scared me. I stood in the middle of some of the courses thinking, 'I can't do this,' or 'How am I going to do this?' But once I paused and took a deep breath, my mind started to figure it out. The biggest piece of advice I can give you about visiting is this: DO NOT LET YOUR FEAR TAKE OVER! The minute you start doubting yourself, you will feel the fear creep in and sabotage you. It really is a matter of letting your mind guide you, and maybe even hearing your support system call out to you, "You got this! You can do this, mommy!" That meant the world to me. My husband also kept things fun. He was behind me and would occasionally blurt out something ridiculous, which would make me laugh and help diminish the fear (at one point as I was climbing up one path, he called out, "You're a monkey, Derek!" which is one of our favorite lines from the movie, Zoolander. 🤣).
-We visited TreEscape in 2019 and again in 2025. Although I was older for this second visit, we still had a great time and I was not as scared as I had been during that first visit in 2019. Ziplining was especially exhilarating this time, and that was what I was most afraid of during our very first visit years ago.
Our first TreEscape photo from 2019
Stay Connected:
414 County Rd. 517 Vernon, NJ 07462
Instagram: @TreEscapeAdventurePark
Facebook: TreEscapeAdventurePark
Tik Tok: @treescapeadventurepark
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