LOCATION

PHYSICAL LOCATION: 182 DENNIS ROAD, BLOOMSBURY, NJ 08804

Location: The Musconetcong Gorge Preserve is located in Holland Township, Hunterdon County, west of Bloomsbury Boro and adjacent to the Hunterdon County border with Warren County. The park is open sunrise to sunset. No restroom facilities are available.

Directions from Interstate 78:

Travel west on I-78 to exit 7 and proceed to route 173 west. On route 173, drive 1.3 miles to route 639. Turn left on to Route 639 and travel 4 miles. At the stop sign, bear left on 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 of a mile to the parking area located on the left side of the road.

Directions from Milford:

Travel on Route 519 north for 5.8 miles to Dennis Road. Bear right on to Dennis Road and travel 0.6 miles to the parking area on the right hand side.

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ABOUT MUSCONETCONG GORGE

The Musconetcong Gorge encompasses 425 acres. Previously, this land was owned by the Warren Glenn Paper Mill. The mill started production in 1873 was more recently known as Fibermark Inc., although it is no longer in operation. The mill harvested timber that was processed into various paper products. The timber was also used to make charcoal, which was sold to farmers. Mill workers stacked the timber on man-made flat areas against the hillside called "charcoal landings." These landings provided an easy location for mill
workers to work and to turn the stack of timber into charcoal. The remains of many charcoal landings are still visible along the trails. Look for flat areas with very dark soil.

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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TRAIL AND GUIDE INFORMATION

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

• Trail Map
• Park Brochure

Self-Guided Nature Trail: Located on the left side of the parking lot, this trail leads to a wonderful view of the ravine and stream that runs through the park. This trail was established as an Eagle Scout Project, for which a separate brochure is available.

Railroad Trail: This easy hiking trail begins on the other side of the ravine and runs parallel with the old rail bed adjacent to the park property until it dead-ends. Two trails branch off the Railroad Trail: The Gas Line Road and the Waterfall Trail.

Gas Line Road: A service road for a gas line, this trail is steep and rocky and it connects to the Highlands Trail.

Waterfall Trail: Follow this trail up the ravine to a scenic waterfall. This trail links up with the Gas Line Road.

Ridge/Highlands Trail: The Ridge Trail departs from the right side of the parking lot and is a moderate to difficult trail. The trail runs along the ridge of the mountain. After passing through the ravine, the trail is called the Highlands Trail. The Highlands Trail System is a cooperative effort of the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference. Their goal is to create a trail system to span the highlands of New York and Passaic, Morris, Sussex, Warren, and Hunterdon Counties of New Jersey.

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HUNTING

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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HABITAT AND WILDLIFE

This oak-hickory forest is a major food source for wildlife. Gray Squirrels and White-tailed Deer are common residents, and evidence of Black Bears in the park has been recorded. The ravine and water seeps located in the park provide excellent habitat for reptiles and amphibians and can be identified by rocky areas with moss and ferns growing around them.

Several types of birds can be seen throughout the year. Evidence of woodpeckers, such as the Downy Woodpecker, can be found along the Nature Trail. Turkey Vultures and hawks can be seen flying above as they use the thermal pockets created by the Musconetcong Ridge.

With the ample supply of acorns and nuts, do not be surprised if you come across a flock of Wild Turkeys in the park.

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RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
     Photo Courtesy of Tom Drake

The trails at the park are designed for hiking
only. Most of the trails range from moderate
to slightly difficult. They take advantage of
the smoothest grounds but are steep in some
areas. They offer beautiful vistas as they wind
through a wide diversity of tree species.

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