Hacklebarney State Park includes over five miles of trail through this 892 acre glacial valley. The 465 acre natural area is open to the public. Gorges cut by the Black River and two tributaries the Rinehart and Trout Brooks are the main feature of this park.
Good shoes are a must as the ground can be very rocky and at times slippery. Even in the high heat of summer, the gorge is pleasantly cool. In the 1800's this area was mined for iron ore. There are bear in this park, however they are not known to harrass visitors, they stay in the southern area of the park which is off limits to hikers.
This park is home to three rare and endangered plant species: leatherwood, Virginia pennywort and American ginseng. It is also a great site for birdwatching, with over a hundred species.
A video which will take you down the hundred steps and into the park:
Directions: Route 206 to Chester. Follow Route 24/513 west for one mile to State Park Road for two miles. Turn right onto Hacklebarney Road and travel 1/2 mile. The entrance is on the left.
No overnight stays at the park, but the Morris County Park system has year round camping in the Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
For other overviews of parks and hiking trails:
Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
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