A walk through the woods of this national park will give you a sense of what Gen. George Washington and his troops saw when camped during the Revolutionary War in the 1770s. Morristown has more than 20 miles of marked trails, and hikers can find nearly 300 varieties of plants and various trees, including the abundant flowering dogwood. The visitor's center is open during business hours, and the park road accessible from Interstate-287 generally closes about 30 minutes before sunset.
With nearly 5,000 acres, Norvin Green State Forest offers New Jersey hikers scenic views of peaks and ponds in Ringwood. Along with wooded trails, more experienced hikers will appreciate climbs to elevations of more than 1,300 feet to see the surroundings and New York skyscrapers. Trail access is limited to hikers only, so you will not need to compete nor contend with mountain bikes or other vehicles. The park is open during daylight hours.
The famed Appalachian Trail cuts through New Jersey, and deep blue Sunfish Pond near Kittatinny Point is one of the top destinations. The challenging 5-mile loop, featuring a change in elevation of nearly 1/4 of a mile, offers lookouts over the Delaware Water Gap and is pet-friendly. The Appalachian Trail offers various access points, so check with the National Park Service office for information and parking instructions.
Allamuchy Mountain in Hackettstown offers about 14 miles of marked trails and an additional 20 miles in the backcountry. You can emerge from the hardwood forests to visit the history of Waterloo Village or drop a fishing line in Cranberry Lake. Camping is permitted except in winter, but you will need to inquire with the park office about availability. Trails may need to be shared with mountain bikers.
