Home | Department of Parks and Recreation | Park Guides & Trail Maps | Miquin Woods
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TRAIL MAP - updated 07/2007 |
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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.
The Musconetcong Gorge encompasses 425 acres. Originally, this land was owned by the Warren Glenn Paper Mill. The mill started production in 1873 and is still in operation today as Fibermark Inc. The mill harvested timber that was processed into various paper products. The mill also used the timber to make charcoal, which it sold to farmers. Mill workers would stack the timber on these flat areas that had been created 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:
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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.
Self Guided Nature Trail : Located on the left side of 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.
- Download the Trail Map for Musconetcong Gorge updated 07/2007
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.
NOTE: Adobe Acrobat Reader is required for these documents - Click for FREE PluginRailroad 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 Highland Trail.
Waterfall Trail : Follow this trail up the ravine to a scenic waterfall. This trail links up with the Gas Line Road.
Ridge/Highland 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 between Hunterdon and Passaic Counties.
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 park. 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.
This oak-hickory forest provides a major food source for wildlife. Gray Squirrels and Whitetail Deer are frequent visitors, 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 walking around the park.
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. See additional information on the trails.