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Department of Parks and Recreation PO Box 2900, Flemington, NJ 08822-2900 1020 State Route 31, Lebanon, NJ 08833 Phone: 908-782-1158 * Fax: 908-806-4057 parks@co.hunterdon.nj.us Office Hours: Monday-Wednesday, & Fridays: 8:00am - 4:30pm Thursday: 8:00am-6:30pm Saturdays & Sundays: Office Closed |
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This 153-acre nature preserve is located on the peak of the Musconetcong Mountain near West Portal. It traces its name to the rock ledges where moonshiners hid their jugs to avoid government authorities during Prohibition.
However, the major history of the preserve is in mining. Of the 41 known mines in the county, the Swayze Mine, which was located within the preserve, was one of the top three producers of magnetite ore. While the mine's
opening date is unknown, it closed in 1889. At its peak it produced 16,000 tons of ore annually. The deepest shaft had a depth of 75 feet and was reached by a tramway. The mine was briefly reopened for two years in 1939 by West Portal Mines. They excavated an estimated 253,000 tons of ore. Today, remnants of mining activities such as rock pits and ore dumps can still be seen. The county acquired the preserve in 2001.
PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 408 MINE ROAD, ASBURY, NEW JERSEY 08802
Jugtown Mountain is in Bethlehem Township and located on Mine Road. The park is open from sunrise to sunset. There are no restroom facilities available for the public. NOTE: Caution should be used when utilizing some of the trails due to steep terrain.
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 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 will be on the right.
Additional Information:
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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.
NOTE: 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
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 rock fields 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.
Jugtown Mountain offers hiking opportunities of moderate difficulty. The main trail offers a looping hike through the woods and along the slope of the ridge. Mountain biking and
horseback riding are not permitted within this preserve. In addition, there are locations to look down on the Musconetcong Watershed.
In order to control the deer population, hunting is allowed (by Parks Department 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 Controlled Hunting Program.
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