Through the Carry-In/Carry-Out Program you can help us keep your parks clean and beautiful by carrying out the trash you carry in. Bags are provided throughout the site. Thank you for your cooperation and remember to recycle.

Open daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Office Hours: Open daily 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The NJ Department of Environmental Protection (Department) has been receiving comments and concerns expressed on the construction work underway by Tennessee Gas Co., LLC (TG) on its northeast upgrade project (NEUP).  Portions of the project are within High Point and Ringwood State Parks as well as on other state lands and areas within Sussex, Passaic and Bergen counties.  During the construction period there will be heightened noise level and transporting of heavy equipment to conduct the work.  Any land and/or wildlife disturbance during this period is being carefully monitored by the Department to ensure that TG is following all permit conditions and mitigation measures are fully implemented.  Compliance monitors on site include individuals trained in endangered species identification and relocation.  Additionally, mitigation measures include all areas disturbed must be restored after construction ends.  For more details about the project, please visit the TG website at.

http://www.kindermorgan.com/business/gas_pipelines/projects/northeastupgrade/

Due to construction activities associated with the Tennessee Gas natural gas pipeline expansion known as the Northeast Upgrade Project,  The following trails located within Long Pond Ironworks State Park have been closed.  The closure is a necessary safety precaution that will remain in effect until the construction in the area of has been completed.

Please be aware that the following trails on properties under the administration of Ringwood State Park are now open.  Those marked with an asterisk had previously been closed.

Ringwood State Park
*Manor Trail
*Cupsaw Brook Trail

Ramapo Mountain State Forest
* South Ridge Trail
Wanaque Ridge Trail
Castle Point Trail
Ringwood Ramapo Trail north of Skyline Drive to Shepherd Lake Hoeferlin Trail between Pool Hollow Road and intersection withy Cannonball Trail Hoeferlin Trail north of Skyline Drive and south of Skyline Drive to MacEvoy Trail (closed b/t MacEvoy and Cannonball) Cannonball Trail between Barbara Drive and intersection with Hoeferlin Trail Cannonball Trail north of Skyline Drive and south of Skyline Drive to MacEvoy Trail(closed south of MacEvoy)

Long Pond Ironworks State Park
Burnt Meadow Trail
Horse Pond Mountain Trail
*Stonetown Circular Trail (Jungle Habitat Section) Red Trail White Trail Orange Trail Yellow Trail

Norvin Green State Forest
Northern Section
Manaticut Point Trail
Overlook Rock Trail (southern section)
*Lake Sonoma Trail
Hewitt Butler from West Brook Road north to Burnt Meadow Rd. (closed from Burnt Meadow Road north to 511)

Norvin Green State Forest
Southern Section
All Trails Open

Farny State Park
*All trails open

Marked trails directly impacted by this closure are:

Monks Trail-Entire length
Hewitt Butler/Highlands Trails-Section between Route 511 and Burnt Meadow Road

Ringwood Manor, the historic country house at the heart of Ringwood State Park, will remain closed to allow for cleanup of soot released by a malfunctioning furnace. The DEP's State Park Service will be working with historical conservators to ensure careful and thorough cleaning of the interior of the Manor House and its artifacts.

Approximately a 3/4 mile portion of the Hasenclever Iron Trail is temporarily closed to the public in the area of Peter's Mine. From the Ringwood Manor side it is approximately 1.5 miles in and 4 miles in from Long Pond Ironworks. There is currently no reroute, please plan accordingly. For more information call the park office.

Dedicated in 1984, the garden is the culmination of two eras of landscape architecture under the direction of Francis Lynde Stetson, owner of Skylands from 1891-1922. The garden contains an extensive variety of plants, evergreens and deciduous trees and shrubs in specialty areas. Of particular interest are the crabapple vista, terraced gardens, perennial and annual gardens and woodland paths. The extensive vistas of the garden and veiw of Ramapo Mountains frame this 96-acre botanical showplace. Visitors can tour the gardens and surrounding woods year round, from 8 am to 8 pm. For more info check out the New Jersey State Botanical Gardens (NJBG) Skylands Association Web site. For information on wedding ceremonies and receptions in the gardens please call (973) 962-9370 or visit Frungillo Catering.

This beautiful country house, which was home for a succession of well-known ironmasters for nearly 200 years, sits comfortably on a low hill overlooking a landscape that looks as if it escaped from a painting. Iron production in this area began in the 1740s. In the mid-19 century, Ringwood Manor was owned by Abram S. Hewitt, America's foremost ironmaster. Tours are offered from Wednesday through Sunday year round from 10 am to 3pm. Please call in advance to check the daily schedule. Ringwood Manor is part of a National Historic Landmark District. For more information on Ringwood Manor visit the New Jersey Highlands Historical Society Web site: www.ringwoodmanor.com.

Fees: Entrance fees are charged per vehicle from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.

Skylands Manor with its English Jacobean architecture common in the English countryside 400 years ago, was designed by John Russell Pope for Clarence McKensie Lewis, a stockbrocker and civil engineer. Built in the 1920s, it is constructed of native stone and half-timbers. The weathered stone facade of this 44-room mansion blends into the landscape. The mansion contains rooms with antique paneling as well as new American Oak paneling and large windows, some of which contain 16th-century stained glass medallions. Moulded plaster ceilings and an elaborately carved staircase add the finishing touches to this impressive county house. Tours are offered one Sunday per month March through November. For tour information please visit the NJBG/Skylands Association Web site. Skylands Manor is available for weddings and special events hosted by Frungillo Caterers. For more info please call (973) 962-9370 or visit Frungillo Catering.

Fees: Entrance fees are charged per vehicle from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.

The spring-fed waters of the 74-acre Shepherd Lake are brisk and invigorating and offer swimming from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day from 10 am to 6 pm. Inner tubes, rafts and other flotation devices are not permitted in the swimming area. Only Coast Guard approved life jackets are permitted. Pets are prohibited on the beach.

Boating, canoeing and fishing are permitted with boat rentals available. A network of trails surrounds the lake leading to rocky vistas.

Fees: Entrance fees are charged per vehicle from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.

The Homeowners Firewood Program has been expanded to include park areas that sustained tree damage due to Hurricane Sandy. Fallen trees will be marked and made available to individuals as part of this program. Anyone interested in obtaining firewood must complete the below application form and pay the applicable $25 per cord fee.This program will be available until the supply is exhausted. Please contact the park office to reserve a cutting period and for additional information.

Homeowners Firewood Program Application form*

*To view this form, please download the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat

NOTICE: Approximately a 3/4 mile portion of the Hasenclever Iron Trail is temporarily closed to the public in the area of Peter's Mine. From the Ringwood Manor side it is approximately 1.5 miles in and 4 miles in from Long Pond Ironworks. There is currently no reroute, please plan accordingly. For more information call the park office.

An intricate system of marked hiking trails are available for the public to explore, some of which connect the Ringwood and Skylands sections of the park. These trails offer visitors opportunities to explore interior woodlands and rocky vistas.

Multi use trails are also available in the Skylands section of the park. These trails are suitable for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, cross country skiing and snowmobiling. Please obey all designated uses of the trails, posted at the trail heads and trail crossings. A 7.5 mile mountain bike loop trail begins in the Shepard Lake section of the park. For information on this trail and mountain biking volunteer opportunities please visit Jersey Off Road Bicycle Association.

Please note that the trail difficulty ratings are opinion only. All trail mileages represent only the portion of the trail that goes through Ringwood State Park, and complete trail lengths could be longer, therefore a topgraphical trail map is recommended for navigation of the trails. Maps may be purchased in the park office or through the New York - New Jersey Trail Conference Web site. A park map is available in the park office.

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View the State Park Service areas open to hunting for 2012-2013

Hunting is permitted in designated areas within the park and is subject to Division of Fish and Wildlife regulations.