With A Historic Village And Over 14 Miles Of Trails, This Underrated New Jersey State Park Is A Must-Visit
By Meghan Byers|Published January 19, 2023
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Meghan Byers
Author
A New Jersey native, Meghan is passionate about travel and enjoys finding off-the-beaten path destinations. You're most likely to find her at a coffee shop, or hitting the trails with her dogs. She graduated with a creative writing degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and has been writing professionally for over a decade.
New Jersey has no shortage of beautiful state parks to visit, but some of them can fly under the radar a little bit. Allamuchy Mountain State Park, located in Allamuchy and Byram Townships, is one such example. The park has over 14 miles of marked trails and over 20 miles of unmarked trails in a tranquil wooded setting, but that’s not all it offers. Right within the park’s borders, you’ll also find Waterloo Village, a historic 19th-century canal town you can stroll through and imagine you’re stepping back into the past.
Allamuchy Mountain State Park encompasses over 2,000 acres, with trails that travel through forests and marshlands. The Musconetcong River, a major tributary to the Delaware River and a popular spot for trout fishing winds its way through the park. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, and even cross-country skiing and rock climbing are all permitted here.
Within the park, accessible from Waterloo Road in Stanhope, you'll find the Waterloo Village Historic Site. This restored 19th-century canal town represents life as it was in the 1800s.
It's easy to imagine that you're stepping back through time as you wander among the authentically restored buildings. Educational tours are also offered here for schools and groups, and trails can be accessed from the village grounds.
Popular trails include the Jefferson Lake and Sunset Branch Loop, the Highlands Trail -- and a 3-mile section of the 20-mile-long Sussex Branch Trail, a rail trail which also travels through Kittatinny Valley State Park.
The view from the overlook at the top of the Highlands Trail is breathtaking, especially in the fall when the foliage is at its peak. However, this park is worth a visit in all seasons.
Dogs are also welcome in Allamuchy Mountain State Park, so your buddy can hit the trails along with you. There's nothing like taking in the view alongside your best friend.
Although there are plenty of less frequented trails where you can enjoy the serenity of nature, you may still encounter some friendly faces along the way.
