State Parks in Swartswood, New Jersey

State Parks in Swartswood, New Jersey
Photo Credit park image by Brett Bouwer from Fotolia.com

Swartswood is a beautiful community located within Sussex County, New Jersey. The town is located within easy driving distance of several state parks, including Swartswood State Park. While this state park is the closest, there are other state parks within 10 to 20 miles that will provide ample opportunity for outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, mountain biking and more.

Swartswood

Located right within Swartswood is Swartswood State Park. First opened to the public in 1914, the park attracts visitors for its beauty and great opportunities for recreation. The park's two lakes--Little Swartswood and Swartswood Lake--provide a perfect environment for fishing, boating, swimming and canoeing. For the avid fisher, the lakes are stocked with several types of fish, including bass, sunfish, catfish, walleye and perch. Other activities at the park include hunting, picnicking and hiking.

Andover

Located about 12 miles from Swartswood is Kittatinny Valley State Park in Andover. The park offers a multitude of outdoor activities, including hunting, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The park's four lakes are suitable for fishing, boating and kayaking. The park's trail system contains two 20-mile trails which provide ample opportunity to take in amazing views of local wildlife, including several species of birds. During the winter months, the trails can be used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Hackettstown/Allamuchy

Located about 14 miles from Swartswood is Allamuchy Mountain State Park. The park has plenty of opportunities for activities such as hiking, fishing, hunting, rock climbing, picnicking and boating. The park has several miles of marked and unmarked trails, perfect for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Anglers can fish along the Musconetcong River, which winds through the park. Fish to be found in the river include several types of trout, while the lakes within the park include fish like largemouth bass, sunfish, perch and pickerel.

Sussex

About 17 miles from Swartswood is High Mountain State Park located in Sussex. The park, which is nearly 16 acres in size, offers a wide variety of activities, including swimming, boating, fishing, hunting and hiking. Anglers can fish in the park's lakes and streams, which are stocked with trout, largemouth bass and other fish. The park also offers over 50 miles of trails, which vary in length from half a mile to 18 miles, and are suitable for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross country skiing and snowshoeing.

Landing

About 20 miles from Swartswood is Hopatcong State Park, located in Landing. The main attraction to the park is Lake Hopatcong, a 2,500-acre lake that stretches for nine miles. The state park is located at the southwest end of the lake and offers many activities, including fishing, boating, swimming, picnicking, basketball and much more. The park's two lakes--Lake Hopatcong and Lake Musconetcong--offer superb fishing and are stocked with largemouth bass, sunfish, catfish, perch and pickerel. Lake Hopatcong also offers boating opportunities, including the use of canoes, motor boats, sailboats and jet skis.

References

Article reviewed by VirginiaS Last updated on: Dec 7, 2010

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