Musconetcong Gorge Preserve

Directions from Interstate 78: Travel west on I-78 to exit 7 and bear right to Route 173 west. On route 173, drive 1.3 miles to Route 639. Turn left onto Route 639 and travel 4 miles. At the stop sign, bear left on Route 519, then turn left and cross the Musconetcong River, staying on Route 519. Take the next left onto Dennis Road (a gravel road), and go 0.2 miles to the parking area located on the left side of the road.

• GPS Coordinates: 40.626096, -75.136302 (182 Dennis Rd., Bloomsbury, NJ 08804)

This 500-acre park features a deep gorge and signs of historical timber-related activities. Hiking is the primary recreational use today.

Bisected by two creeks, this is a long, narrow park that slopes down to the Musconetcong River. 

Five trails traverse the park, including a 0.6-mile nature trail, a rail bed trail, a very short waterfall trail [0.1 mile] and switchbacks for loop trails--3.1 total miles.  The first 1.4-mile segment of the white-blazed trail is co-aligned with the Highlands Trail [teal blaze]. Click here to go directly to information about the Highlands Trail in the Preserve.  Use the Web Map link on this site to view a trail map.

Click for a detailed description of a hike in the preserve, including GPS trailhead coordinates.  Click to view photos taken on a hike in the Preserve (8/2015)

Musconetcong Gorge Preserve: 

Rising in Lake Hopatcong in Morris County, the Musconetcong River flows 44 miles to the Delaware River.  It is a trout stream, with forests buffeting large segments.  In its lower reaches, the river slices through a deep limestone valley, shadowed by 1,000-foot ridges.  Two widely separated sections of the river are protected as part of the Hunterdon County park system.  The Musconetcong Gorge section and the Point Mountain section each offer the opportunity for hikers to combine an easy stroll along the scenic river with a more strenuous route along the ridge.