Swartswood State Park
Encyclopedia
Swartswood State Park, established in 1914, was the first State Park
established by the state of New Jersey
. In the center of the park are the Little Swartswood Lake and Swartswood Lake. Both have been the focus of water-quality improvement efforts by the state, including invasive aquatic-weed control and watershed protection. The park is open all year, with many recreational activities available. Swimming is permitted, and sailboating, during the spring to summer months. The park is operated and maintained by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry
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The Duck Pond Trail is a 0.6 mile paved path provides a level surface for walking, biking, roller blading, skate boarding and is accessible for persons with disabilities. The trail meanders through a forested area along Duck Pond. Wayside exhibits found along the trail provide information on the unique natural features found in the area. A bird blind has been constructed to allow visitors to view birdlife in the area with little disturbance to their habitat.
The Spring Lake Trail is a 2.8 mile trail which begins at the end of the paved Duck Pond Trail. The trail is marked by white markers along the hilly terrain. This trail is considered to be a moderate level hike.
The Bear Claw Trail is a 0.8 mile trail marked in yellow and begins at the Duck Pond parking area. It is an easy to moderate hike on an earthen, hilly path. The trail ends where it meets the paved Duck Pond Trail allowing you to combine the two trails for a full loop back to the parking area.
The Grist Mill Trail is a 1.5 mile loop trail found at the most southern end of Swartswood Lake by the dam. The steep rocky terrain makes this a moderate to difficult hike.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
established by the state of New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. In the center of the park are the Little Swartswood Lake and Swartswood Lake. Both have been the focus of water-quality improvement efforts by the state, including invasive aquatic-weed control and watershed protection. The park is open all year, with many recreational activities available. Swimming is permitted, and sailboating, during the spring to summer months. The park is operated and maintained by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry
New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry
The New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry is responsible for the management and operation of New Jersey's 42 parks, 11 forests and 3 recreation areas, as well as for the more than 50 historic sites and districts...
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Location
The park is in Swartswood, in Stillwater TownshipStillwater Township, New Jersey
- History timeline :*1741, Casper Shafer built the Stillwater gristmill about half a mile from the present mill site.*1764, the Stillwater gristmill was moved to its present location and commercially operated there until 1955...
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Trails
- Duck Pond Multi-Use Trail
The Duck Pond Trail is a 0.6 mile paved path provides a level surface for walking, biking, roller blading, skate boarding and is accessible for persons with disabilities. The trail meanders through a forested area along Duck Pond. Wayside exhibits found along the trail provide information on the unique natural features found in the area. A bird blind has been constructed to allow visitors to view birdlife in the area with little disturbance to their habitat.
- Spring Lake Trail
The Spring Lake Trail is a 2.8 mile trail which begins at the end of the paved Duck Pond Trail. The trail is marked by white markers along the hilly terrain. This trail is considered to be a moderate level hike.
- Bear Claw Trail
The Bear Claw Trail is a 0.8 mile trail marked in yellow and begins at the Duck Pond parking area. It is an easy to moderate hike on an earthen, hilly path. The trail ends where it meets the paved Duck Pond Trail allowing you to combine the two trails for a full loop back to the parking area.
- Grist Mill Trail
The Grist Mill Trail is a 1.5 mile loop trail found at the most southern end of Swartswood Lake by the dam. The steep rocky terrain makes this a moderate to difficult hike.
- All trail descriptions and difficulty rating were by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection which oversees the state park system.