Department of Environmental Protection

New Jersey State Park Service

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Cranberry Lake State Park Water Level Management Plan:Cranberry Lake's 4ft drawdown will begin around October 8, 2023. The lake will reach it's lowest point by November 1st.

PARK ADVISORY: Emergency Road Closure: Deer Park Road in Allamuchy Mountain State Park is closed to all public use until further notice. Anyone attempting access is subject to a summons or tow. Please refer to the park's area map for alternate parking areas.

PARK ADVISORY:A Special Use Permit is required for rock climbing by commercial guides and organized groups. Please contact the park office at 908-852-3790 for more information.

 

Allamuchy Mountain State Park Overview

The Musconetcong River, with some of the best trout fishing in the state, winds through Allamuchy Mountain State Park.

Beginners and advanced hikers can enjoy the miles of trails used for hiking and mountain biking as they crisscross through the forests and marshlands of the park. A rock climbing wall is available for public use, but an individual rock climbing waiver must be signed. 


Trail Map

Biking
The Allamuchy Natural Area has more than 14 miles of marked trails available for biking. There also are more than 20 miles of unmarked trails available for biking in the northern section of Allamuchy Mountain State Park.

Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing is permitted on the roadways and field areas during the winter months.

Hiking
The Allamuchy Natural Area has more than 14 miles of marked trails available for hiking. There also are more than 20 miles of unmarked trails available for hiking, as well as other activities in the northern section of Allamuchy Mountain State Park.

Horseback Riding
The Allamuchy Natural Area has more than 14 miles of marked trails and more than 20 miles of unmarked trails available for horseback riding.

Mountain Biking
The Allamuchy Natural Area has more than 14 miles of marked and more than 20 miles of multi-use trails available for mountain biking.

Trails
There are more than 14 miles of marked trails available for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding in the Allamuchy Natural Area and more than 20 miles of unmarked trails in the northern section of Allamuchy Mountain State Park. A 3-mile section of the Sussex Branch Trail starts at Waterloo Road and goes northwest to Cranberry Lake. Using an old railroad bed, this trail provides the hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders easy access from Waterloo Road through Kittatinny Valley State Park to Branchville, New Jersey. A 10-mile section of the Highlands Trail goes from the northern boundary of Allamuchy (off Route 206) through Stephens State Park. The difficulty of the trails range from moderate to rugged. A 3-mile water trail on the Musconetcong River is available for canoes, kayaks and rowboats. The trail is between Waterloo Road at Route 80 and the Saxton Falls Dam.  

General Guide to the trails at Allamuchy Mountain State Park

A public boat launch is available at Cranberry Lake. Electric motors, gas motors, canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards (SUP) can launch between sunrise and sunset year round. A 3-mile water trail on the Musconetcong River is available for canoes, kayaks and rowboats. Each person must have on a wearable Coast Guard approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD).

A boat concession located next to the Cranberry Lake boat launch, which includes a trailer launch and a cartop launch, rents rowboats from sunrise to sunset during the summer. Rowboats may also be taken on the Musconetcong River.

Fishing
Allamuchy Mountain State Park provides excellent fishing opportunities year round. During the spring, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife stock the Musconetcong with brown, rainbow and brook trout. Cranberry Lake, Jefferson Lake, Allamuchy Pond and Deer Park Pond contain warm water species such as largemouth bass, sunfish, perch and pickerel.

Hunting (under fishing and hunting)
State Park Service areas open to hunting.
Parts of Allamuchy Mountain State Park are open for hunting. The Allamuchy Natural Area is available for deer and small game hunting. 

Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is permitted in Allamuchy Mountain State Park during the winter months.

The Rock Climbing area is located near Waterloo Village on Waterloo Road. An individual rock climbing waiver is required.

Education Programs
This facility offers education programs for visitors.

Tours
Visitors may take a self-guided tour of the perimeter of Waterloo Village, a restored 19th-century village.

The park provides visitors with a multitude of winter activities, including sledding.

The mature mixed oak and hardwood forests and numerous maintained old fields of this natural area display various stages of succession and forest development. Many trails traverse the natural area and provide access to scenic Deer Park Pond, which is centrally located within the area.

A NJ State Park Service Special Use Permit is required for various types of short-duration, organized activities and/or events within a state park, forest and/or historic site. Examples of organized activities and/or special events include, but are not limited to press events, commercial photography and/or filming, corporate events, fundraisers, festivals, demonstrations, walkathons and races, concerts, Televised events and/or commercial use of or on State Park Service lands and/or waters. 

To learn more about Special use Permits click here.

Access for Persons with Disabilities
The Allaire State Park recreational and historic facilities are partially accessible for persons with disabilities. Please contact the park office at 732-938-2371 for further information regarding disability access needs. Text telephone (TTY) users, call the NJ Relay & CapTel Service at 711 or 1-800-852-7897 for English or 1-866-658-7714 for Spanish.

All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
Recreational use of ATVs is not permitted on NJ State Park Service property. This includes state parks, forests, recreation areas, golf courses, marinas, natural areas, historic sites, and preserves. Thank you for your help in protecting New Jersey’s natural and historic resources. [N.J.A.C. 7:2-3.4(d)]

Smoking
State law prohibits the smoking of tobacco and use of electronic smoking (vaping) devices in all state parks, forests, historic sites, recreation areas, golf courses and marinas. [N.J.P.L.2005, c.383 (C.26:3D-56)]

Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in state parks, forests, recreation areas, golf courses, marinas, natural areas, historic sites, and preserves. [ N.J.A.C. 7:2-2.6 ]

Keep Your Park Clean and Green
Keep Your Park Clean and Green Protect plants and animals and care for your park by taking your trash with you. Unless you're camping, whatever you carry into the park, plan on carrying it out too. It’s like crowdsourcing trash management! Bring a bag or two for trash, recycling and cleaning up after your pet. There are no trash receptacles in this park. Thank you!

Swimming
No swimming.

Pets
Pets must always be on a leash no longer than six feet in length and under the control of the owner. Please clean up after your pets.

Tick Protection
Use insect repellent, wear light-colored clothing, tuck pants into socks, stay on trails, check yourself when you get home, shower and wash clothes immediately.

Be Bear Aware
Black bears are found throughout New Jersey. Do not approach or attract bears by making food available. Feeding bears is dangerous and illegal. Never run from a bear! To report an aggressive bear, call 1-877-WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337) immediately. Please report any damage or nuisance behavior to the park office. Visit the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife at www.njfishandwildlife.com for additional information on bear safety.

Photo Gallery

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Related Links

Waterloo Historic Village
Hopatcong State Park
Stephens State Park

Park Map

Area Map

General

Phone Number
908-852-3790

Physical Address
Waterloo Road
Stanhope, NJ 07874

Mailing Address
Allamuchy Mountain State Park
c/o Stephens State Park
800 Willow Grove St.
Hackettstown, NJ 07840

Email Address
StephensStatePark@dep.nj.gov

Park Hours

Gate Open daily sunrise to sunset.

Park Fees

Entrance Fee None

Other Related Fees
Map / Directions

GPS Coordinates
40.92198, -74.74037