On a warm summer evening, Garret Mountain Park in Clifton, New Jersey, transforms from its usual forested calm into a vibrant stage where music and nature converge. The Summer Concert Series here invites both locals and visitors to trade city noise for the ambient chorus of crickets and rustling leaves, punctuated by live performances under open skies.

Located on a modest summit about 560 feet above sea level, Garret Mountain Park isn’t just about the concert—it’s a patchwork of accessible trails, scenic overlooks, and shaded, grassy knolls where audiences gather with blankets and picnic baskets. The hike to the concert area from the parking zones typically ranges from a half-mile to a mile, with an elevation gain around 100 to 150 feet. It’s an easy to moderate ascent through mixed hardwood forests and gently rolling terrain, offering natural coolness and filtered sunlight as the day shifts toward dusk.

The wooded paths are firm underfoot but not technical, making comfortable hiking shoes a must—flip-flops won’t hold up here. Water is essential too, especially on warm evenings; the trees will whisper reminders to hydrate well before the show begins. Timing your arrival an hour or so before the concert not only ensures a good spot but lets you experience the shifting light and expanding views as the sun dips behind the New York City skyline visible in the distance.

While the main event is the live music, Garret Mountain rallies all senses. The breeze weaves through leaves like a conductor, and the distant cityscape glows, insisting subtly on the contrast between nature and urban life. Families, couples, and solo visitors come together here, sharing the simple joy of entertainment in an unexpected outdoor setting.

Parking can fill up quickly, especially on popular dates, so arriving early or considering a carpool is practical. The concert series typically runs from June through August, with genres spanning from jazz to indie rock, offering variety without overwhelming volumes—balancing music with the evening’s declarative calm.

Practical preparation enhances the experience: pack insect repellent for the lurking mosquitoes after dusk, bring a flashlight for the walk back, and dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly once the sun sets. Remember, Garret Mountain is strictly a nature preserve, so leave no trace behind.

In short, the Garret Mountain Summer Concert Series is more than an event—it’s an easy outdoor adventure that invites you into the open air, with just enough elevation, terrain, and natural character to remind you you’re engaging with a landscape fiercely itself, not a curated venue. Whether you come for the music, the walk, or both, you’ll leave with a clear sense of having caught something fleeting and fresh in the humid New Jersey summer night.