By Amanda Kilyk

While this summer’s pandemic may limit the usual friendly backyard gatherings or destination vacations, locals can still be active under the summer sun! Warren County has so many hiking trails and local state parks to visit both in and convenient to the county, all of which allow for easy social distancing! Below is a list (in no particular order) of local natural spaces that will be a breath of fresh air in comparison to the usual, mundane quarantine activities!

Merill Creek Reservoir

34 Merrill Creek Rd, Washington, NJ 07882

Located in Washington, this picturesque, 650-acre reservoir is surrounded by thousands of acres of forests and fields. Explore the reservoir along scenic hiking trails that range from .4 to 5.5 miles long. But trails aren’t all that the Reservoir has to offer; visitors can find information on fishing, boating, hawk-watching and hunting memberships on the reservoir’s website. Free entry; some activities may have a fee.

Jenny Jump State Forest

330 State Park Road, Hope, NJ 07844

This 4,466-acre state forest encompasses not only 14 miles of hiking trails, but a potentially haunted lake (aptly named Ghost Lake) that can be used by visitors for fishing, boating and canoeing! Overnight visitors can camp in the state-maintained campgrounds while stargazers will be interested in the Greenwood Observatory located there (programs currently on hold due to the pandemic). Maps of the hiking and mountain bike trails, which offer scenic views of the encompassing mountain range and local Mountain Lake, can be found on the park’s website. Free entry; some activities may have a fee.

Stephens State Park

800 Willow Grove Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840

The trails found at Stephens State Park draw hikers, bikers, and horseback riders alike. Six miles of trails, ranging from flat and easy to steep and rocky, wind through the park’s 805 acres. Playgrounds and picnic sites are easily accessible. The adjacent-running Musconetcong River also allows for great trout fishing and exciting fly fishing. Find out about this hidden treasure, which includes a campground, on its website. Free entry; some activities may have a fee.

Spruce Run Recreation Area

68 Van Syckel’s Road, Clinton, NJ 08809

A convenient drive from Washington, Spruce Run’s 2.6-mile hiking trail – part of the much-longer Highlands Trail – allows for stunning views of the adjacent reservoir, where boating, fishing, and other aquatic activities are offered. Guests can even visit Spruce Run’s website for information on boat rentals directly from the Recreational Area! Due to a harmful algal bloom, Spruce Run will not allow swimming during Summer 2020 and fishers should not eat their catches, but there is still a plethora of other outdoor activities for visitors to engage in! Entrance fee per car required Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Hacklebarney State Park

119 Hacklebarney Road, Long Valley, NJ 07853

After re-opening following the coronavirus-required closure, Hacklebarney State Park introduced new, one-way hiking trails within the park in order to safely adhere to social distancing guidelines! The seven new trail loops through the former iron ore mine site offer hikers views of the nearby Black River, as well as several smaller waterfalls. Fishers can look forward to fantastic trout fishing, as the Black River is abundant with Brown, Brook, and Rainbow Trout. For information on the hiking loops, as well more information on fishing, hunting, and picnicking at Hacklebarney, guests should visit the park’s website.

Where is your favorite place to hike and social distance? Let us know in the comments!