Allamuchy Mountain and Stephens State Parks

Covering about 8,500 acres of rugged northern New Jersey terrain, these two parks offer a wide range of recreational activities.

Stephens State Park, on Willow Grove Street in Hackettstown, occupies 228 acres along the Musconetcong River. Here visitors find picnic sites and 40 campsites.

Of historical interest near Stephens are remnants of a 90-mile canal abandoned in the late 1800s. At Saxton Falls, a mile upriver, is a canal lock and part of the towpath. This is also a popular trout-fishing spot.

Contained within Allamuchy (pronounced al-uh-MOO-chee) Mountain State Park is the Allamuchy Natural Area, a patchwork of diverse habitats ranging from marsh to mixed-oak hardwood forest.

More than 25 miles of trails are used by hikers, bikers, equestrians, cross-country skiers and snowshoers. Fifteen miles of trails in the natural area are marked and the remainder, in the northern section of the park, are unmarked.

Ponds in Allamuchy support bass, catfish, perch and other warm-water species. Ice fishing is also practiced here. Both Musconetcong River and Cranberry Lake are stocked with trout. There are boat launches at Jefferson Lake and Cranberry Lake.

Allamuchy Mountain State Park is on Waterloo Road in Hackettstown, with a second entrance off Route 517.

Most of Allamuchy is open to hunting.

The park office on Willow Grove Street is open full-time Memorial Day through Labor Day and is open intermittently the rest of the year.

Camping is available from April through October.