Department of Environmental Protection

New Jersey State Park Service

NJ State Park Service LogoNJ State Park Service Logo

PARK ADVISORY:Please be advised the south launch of Monksville Reservoir is closed to all use and vehicle traffic for an undetermined period of time as a result of extensive damage caused by recent flooding. 

Access to the Monksville Reservoir remains available via the Beech Road or North Launch locations.

Plans for repairs are underway and we apologize for any inconvenience.

Long Pond Ironworks State Park Overview

Wander through the remnants of a former industrious ironworking community which produced iron for the Continental Army, the American forces in the War of 1812 and the Union Army during the Civil War.

Long Pond Ironworks State Park is located in northern Passaic County and features something for all visitors: hiking, mountain biking, boating, hunting, fishing, historic interpretation and nature and wildlife watching. The historic district, located in the heart of the park next to the Wanaque River, contains the remnants of a formerly industrious ironworking community and includes old stone walls, furnaces and waterwheels. Mountain bikers will find miles of challenging trails winding through the Jungle Habitat section of the park. Anglers will want to test their skills on Monksville Reservoir, known for its trophy size muskellunge, walleye, bass and trout. Additionally, Green Turtle Pond is stocked in the spring with trout and both Monksville Reservoir and Green Turtle Pond have ample parking and boat ramps.

Long Pond Ironworks was founded in 1766 by German ironmaster Peter Hasenclever. Hasenclever brought 500 ironworkers and their families from Germany to build an ironworks "plantation," including a furnace, forge, houses, shops and farms. A dam at "Long Pond" (Greenwood Lake) on the upper Wanaque River provided the hydropower to operate a blast for the furnace and a large forge. Two more furnaces were constructed in the 1860s. Operations at the site ceased in 1882 due to the industry-wide conversion to anthracite coal furnaces using Pennsylvania coal.

The remnants of the ironmaking industrial structures at this site date from the 18th and 19th centuries. Furnaces, casting house ruins, charging areas, ice houses, waterwheels and other structures are a part of the remains. The area is currently undergoing restoration: one waterwheel has been reconstructed and several houses stabilized. The "Old Country Store" has been renovated and now houses the Long Pond Ironworks Museum.

The original Village of Hewitt grew up around the 19th century iron enterprise. This settlement included a church, a store/post office, schoolhouses, dwellings and outbuildings for workers and managers. Many of these cultural resources remain intact or as ruins.

Members of the Friends of Long Pond Ironworks (link is external) offer tours of the furnace area and village on the second Saturday of the month at noon and 2 p.m. from April through November. The museum is open to the public Saturdays and Sundays between the hours of 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., with an earlier opening on tour dates during the April through November tour season. It is open by arrangement throughout the year. For additional information, please call 973-657-1688.


Trail Map

Hiking
Visitors may explore dozens of miles of marked trails within the park.
Contact the park for further information involving trail closures and changes.

Horseback Riding
Visitors may travel on horseback along designated multi-use trails within the park.
Contact the park for further information involving trail closures and changes.

Mountain Biking
Visitors may use designated multi-use trails in the park for biking. The former Jungle Habitat property off Airport Rd. in West Milford, now part of the park, is a popular starting point.
Contact the park for further information involving trail closures and changes.

General Guide to the trails at Long Pond Ironworks State Park

Boating
Motorboats (10 HP or less) are permitted on Monksville Reservoir, and may launch from either the North or South Boat Launches. Only electric motors are permitted on Green Turtle Pond.

Canoeing, Kayaking and Stand-up Paddle-boarding
Canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding are permitted on Monksville Reservoir from the South Boat Launch or the Beech Rd. Cartop Launch, or at Green Turtle Pond.

Rentals
Paddleboard and kayak rentals are available at the Monksville South Boat Launch during the summer.

Fishing
Known for its trophy size muskellunge, walleye, bass and trout, Monksville Reservoir is heavily used by anglers, sporting clubs and the US Sailing Association. Easily accessible from either the north or the south boat ramp, or the Beech Road Cartop Launch. Beech Road and the North Launch are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for fishing and boating only. The South Launch closes daily at 8 p.m.

A valid New Jersey fishing license is required for anglers 16 years of age or older.

Hunting
Hunting is permitted in specific sections of the park and is subject to the regulations of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife regulations.

View the Long Pond Ironworks State Park hunting map.

Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is allowed in the Monksville Reservoir and the Green Turtle Pond, the former of which is stocked with muskellunge, walleye, bass and trout. Monksville Reservoir is easily accessible from either the north or the south boat ramp, and the area is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Education Programs
This facility offers educational programs for visitors. For more information, contact Friends of Long Pond Ironworks at 973-657-1688 or Info@LongPondIronworks.org. Website: http://www.longpondironworks.org.

History/Nature Tours
Visitors may take a self-guided tour through the Long Pond Historic District, as well as explore the park’s trail system around Monksville Reservoir, Green Turtle Pond, and the Wanaque River, as well in take in scenic views from numerous viewpoints in the area.

Museum
Tours of the Long Pond Ironworks Museum are offered. For further information, please call, 973-657-1688.

There are many prime birdwatching areas within the park, including Monksville Reservoir and Green Turtle Pond, which once comprised the Wanaque Wildlife Management Area.

Known for its trophy size muskellunge, walleye, bass and trout, Monksville Reservoir is extremely popular with boaters and anglers. The South Boat Launch is open from 8 am to 8 pm, and the North Launch and Beech Rd. Cartop Launch are open 24 hours for fishing and boating activities.

The property that comprised the Wanaque Wildlife Management Area, formerly managed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife, is now under the administration of Long Pond Ironworks and Ringwood State Park. Within the property is access to Green Turtle Pond, which is stocked with trout in the spring. A parking lot and boat ramp are located nearby. The area also is open to hunting, with the exception of Sundays.

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 Long Pond Ironworks State Park facilities are partially accessible for persons with disabilities. Please contact the park office at 973-962-7031 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 ]

Ice Skating
There is no ice skating permitted anywhere in the park.

Keep Your Park Clean and Green
Protect plants and animals and care for your parks by taking your trash with you. 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.

Related Links

Friends of Long Pond Ironworks
Ringwood State Park

Park Map

Area Map

General

Phone Number
973-962-7031

Physical Address
1334 Greenwood Lake Turnpike
Hewitt, NJ 07421

Mailing Address
c/o Ringwood State Park
1304 Sloatsburg Rd.
Ringwood, NJ 07456

Email Address
Ringwood@dep.nj.gov

Park Hours

Gate Open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Park Office N/A

Park Fees

Entrance Fee None

Other Related Fees
Map / Directions

GPS Coordinates
41.141005, -74.309234