ABOUT CHARLESTOWN RESERVE

This reservation was formerly owned by Charles Hovies. In 1943, he established a tree farm on the property. He later expanded the farm to include agricultural crops such as corn and wheat, and planted an apple orchard. He and his wife, Harriet, lived on the property in a small home. Charles Hovies passed away in 1972 and Harriet never remarried. In 1981, she sold 203 acres of the farm to the County.

She retained 12 acres around the house for herself. Having no heirs, she deeded the remaining acres to the County in 1989 with a clause granting her a life-right to the property. She enjoyed another eleven years within the reservation until she passed away in 2000. Serving as an island of green in the area north of Interstate 78, the land has been held in trust as a conservation area.

LOCATION:

Location: Charlestown Reserve is located at 40 Charlestown Road, Hampton 08827 (Bethlehem Township). The park is open from sunrise to sunset. No restroom facilities are available.

PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 40 CHARLESTOWN ROAD, HAMPTON, NJ 08827

Directions from the Bloomsbury Area: Take Interstate 78 east to exit 12. From exit 12, travel north on Route 635 (also known as Charlestown Rd). Proceed on Route 635 for approximately 4.5 miles to the park. The parking lot will be on the left-hand side.

Directions from the Clinton Area: From the junction with Interstate 78, travel north on Route 31 for approximately 6 miles. In Glen Gardner, make a left at the second traffic light onto Glen Manor Road. Proceed to the end of the road. Turn left onto Black Brook Road and then make the first right onto Charlestown Lane. At the end of Charlestown Lane, make a left onto Route 635. The entrance to the reserve is on the right.

Additional Information

The Hunterdon County Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to preserving open space and natural resources, providing safe parks and facilities, and offering educational and recreational opportunities, all contributing to an enhanced quality of life for present and future generations.

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RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Charlestown offers a moderate hiking trail. The trailhead is located at the right corner of the parking lot. The trail starts with a moderate climb up a hillside and eventually intersects with an old field road. The old road meanders through the park and loops back on itself. Mountain biking is permitted within the park, but the trail is not designed for horseback riding.

Hunting is permitted to control the deer population. Hunters must obtain a special permit issued by the Department. Visitors during hunting season are strongly encouraged to wear blaze orange or confine visits to Sundays.

See additional information on the Hunterdon County Park System Controlled Hunting Program.

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TRAIL MAP AND GUIDE INFORMATION

NOTES: Trail Guides are set up as foldable brochures. Please print and fold in half vertically to view in proper order. Additionally, you may have to rearrange pages. Maps should be printed on Legal Size Paper.

• Trail Map
• Park Brochure

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HUNTING

In order to control the population of deer on park property, hunting is permitted. Hunters must obtain a special permit issued by the Parks Department to be able to hunt on the preserve. Visitors during hunting season are strongly encouraged to wear blaze orange or confine visits to Sundays. See additional information on the Hunterdon County Park System Controlled Hunting Program.

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WILDLIFE AND HABITAT

The main habitat at Charlestown is second generation oak-hickory forest. Along the trail are stone walls, which provide evidence of Charlestown's agrarian past. Today, these stone walls provide habitat for snakes and small mammals such as chipmunks.

The rocky hillsides and other secluded areas of Charlestown provide a haven for Hunterdon County's more reclusive mammals. Gray Fox evidence, such as scat and tracks, has been found.

The preserve also supports a wide range of woodland bird species. Tufted Titmice and
Black-capped Chickadee are commons sights. Red-tailed Hawks and Turkey Vultures can
usually be seen flying above. Wild Turkeys take advantage of the large supply of acorns and other nuts. Woodpeckers, such as Downy or Red-bellied Woodpeckers, can be seen and heard drilling the trees.

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