• Overview

    One of the premier rock gardens in the eastern United States. Since the late 1930s, the garden has reached a breathtaking point of maturity. It consists of a series of alpine and woodland gardens situated in a 33-acre wooded stream valley. Named for Mr. Leonard J. Buck, who developed the garden as part of his estate, it was donated to the Somerset County Park Commission by Mrs. Helen Buck in 1976.

    Mr. Buck worked with Mr. Zenon Schreiber, a well-known landscape architect, to develop a naturalistic garden which incorporated several large rock outcroppings found on the property. Their aim was to create a garden that would be ecologically correct and not recognizable as being man-made. Each outcropping is slightly different, creating varying exposures and microclimates which enable different plant associations to thrive.
  • Amenities

    • Restrooms
    Activities
    • Self-guided tours
  • Nearby:

    •  Dining

      • Focacceria Ristorante
        2.3 MI
        908-604-2440 View >
      • Osteria Morini
        5.7 MI
        908-221-0040 View >
      • Chimney Rock Inn
        7.4 MI
        732-469-4600 View >
      • Stone House at Stirling Ridge
        7.9 MI
        908-754-1222 View >
      • Rod's Steak & Seafood Grille
        11.3 MI
        973-539-6666 View >
      • Stuff Yer Face
        15.2 MI
        732-247-1727 View >
      View More +
    •  Lodging

      • Delta Hotel by Marriott
        2.6 MI
        908-580-1300 View >
      • Courtyard by Marriott
        3.0 MI
        908-542-0300 View >
      • Bernards Inn
        4.2 MI
        908-766-0002 View >
      • Hyatt House Bridgewater
        5.9 MI
        908-725-0800 View >
      • The Olde Mill Inn
        5.9 MI
        908-221-1100 View >
      • Hyatt House Branchburg
        6.0 MI
        908-704-2191 View >
      View More +
    •  Activities

      • USGA Golf Museum
        0.7 MI
        908-234-2300 View >
      • Jacobus Vanderveer House & Museum
        1.4 MI
        908-396-6053 View >
      • The Center for Contemporary Art
        2.1 MI
        908-234-2345 View >
      • Natirar
        2.3 MI
        908-722-1200 View >
      • Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
        3.6 MI
        973-425-1222 View >
      • 9/11 Memorial Tree
        3.7 MI
        View >
      View More +

Explore Leonard J. Buck Garden