ABOUT JUGTOWN MOUNTAIN

This 262-acre nature preserve is located on the ridge of the Musconetcong Mountain near West Portal. Jugtown traces its name to the rock ledges where moonshiners hid their jugs to avoid government authorities during
Prohibition. This site, known as Swayze Mine after landowner William Swayze, was one of the 41 known mines in the county in the 1800s, and one of the main producers of magnetite ore. Operating from 1868 until 1889 under the direction of the West End Iron Company, the mine yielded 16,000 tons of ore a year and employed 380 immigrant workers at its peak.

The deepest shaft had a depth of 75 feet and was reached by a tramway. The mine was briefly reopened for four years in 1939 by West Portal Mines, Inc. They excavated an estimated 253,000 tons of ore annually and employed 250 men. Today, remnants of ore dumps, rock pits, and concrete structure foundations are still visible. The county
acquired the preserve in 2001.

Acreage 262 Meeting Room NO Softball Field NO Biking Mtn. YES Bridle Trail NO Canoeing NO X-Country Skiing NO Fishing NO Fitness Trail NO

Gardens NO Greenhouse NO Hiking/Nature Trails YES Horseshoe Court NO Hunting YES Information Board YES Nature Study YES Picnic Pavilions NO

Picnic Sites NO Playground Area NO Restrooms NO Scenic Overlook NO Soccer Field NO Wedding Gazebo NO Parking NO Group Camp Sites NO Reservable Facilities NO

HABITAT

The forest canopy of Jugtown Mountain is dominated by red oaks and tulip trees. The
acorns provide food for squirrels, turkeys, and other wildlife. The understory consists of sassafras trees and spicebush.

Vernal Pools exist throughout the park and provide an important habitat for amphibians. These pools are bodies of water that dry up periodically. They provide a refuge for amphibian larvae to develop to their adult form without the predation of fish. Spotted Salamanders and Wood Frogs are examples of species identified within the preserve.

Stone walls and rocky terrain dot the landscape of the preserve. These areas provide shelter to rodents as well as the snakes that prey on them. Jugtown provides a suitable habitat for snakes to create hibernation dens for the winter season.

The Hunterdon County Parks and Recreation Division 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.

{To Top}

 

LOCATION

PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 408 MINE ROAD, ASBURY, NEW JERSEY  08802

Location: The Jugtown Mountain is located at 408 Mine Road, Asbury 08802 (Bethlehem Township). The park is open from sunrise to sunset. There are no restroom facilities available.

Directions from the Clinton Area: Take Route 78 west to exit 11. Proceed on Route 173 west for about 2 miles. Turn right onto Mine Road. The entrance to the park is on the left just beyond the Bethlehem Township Building.

Directions from the Hampton Area: Take Route 635 (also known as Charlestown Road) south to Mine Road. Turn right onto Mine Road and proceed for about 2 1/2 miles. The entrance to the park is on the right.

{To Top}

 

TRAIL AND GUIDE INFORMATION

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

• Park Brochure and Trail Map
• Trail Map

{To Top}

 

RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Jugtown Mountain offers hiking opportunities of moderate difficulty. The main trail loops through the woods and along a rocky slope, exposing scenic views of the mountains. Visitors can also explore remnants of past mining operations. Mountain biking and horseback riding are not permitted here.

HUNTING: In order to control the deer population, hunting is allowed (by Parks Division permit only) in some sections of this park. Please wear blaze orange during hunting season or confine your visits to Sundays. See additional information on the Hunterdon County Park System's Controlled Hunting Program.

{To Top}