The Musconetcong River, an excellent freshwater fishing spot, flows over and around boulders through Stephens State Park. An easy walking, but rocky path follows the river with places for picnicking in shaded areas.

Less than one mile east along Waterloo Road at Saxton Falls are the remains of one of the Morris Canal’s twenty-three locks and a section of the old canal’s towpath. The original canal was 90 miles in length, stretching from Newark to Phillipsburg, and was used to ship coal and iron across the state. However, the canal could not compete with the development of the Morris and Essex Railroad in the late 1800s, and the canal was eventually abandoned.

Through the Carry-In/Carry-Out Program you can help us keep the parks clean and beautiful by carrying out the trash you carry in. Please bring a biodegradable bag with you when visiting to take your trash home. Thank you for your cooperation and remember to recycle.

The Stephens State Park facilities are partially accessible for persons with disabilities. Please contact the park office at (908) 852-3790 for further information regarding disability access needs. Text telephone (TT) users, call the New Jersey Relay Service at (800) 852-7899.

We are pleased to announce the reopening of Stephens State Park for hiking, fishing and picnicking beginning Thursday, October 1.  

We sincerely appreciate the public's patience and understanding as we worked to manage one of the most challenging summer seasons for the State Park Service in recent memory. 

State Park Service staff very much look forward to welcoming you back to Stephens State Park. 

#NJStateParks 

Visit https://njparksandforests.org/sps_covid.html and follow www.facebook.com/newjerseystateparks for the most recent information on park operations — some amenities may not be available due to COVID-19.

Open daily sunrise to sunset

Office Hours: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Stephens State Park map

There are six miles of marked trails at Stephens State Park for walking, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The trail surfaces range from flat to steep and rocky.

A 2-mile section of the Highlands Trail runs the length of Stephens State Park.

Stephens State Park Trail Map

Reserve a campsite at camping.nj.gov.  Please note tent and trailer family campsites are available to reserve until December 15, 2020. Cabins, group cabins, shelters, lean-tos, group lean-tos, wilderness campsites, group campsites, primitive campsites, and primitive group campsites remain closed until further notice.

Alcohol is prohibited. Pets are prohibited in overnight facilities.

A non-refundable service fee of $5.00 will be charged to the customer for each reservation.
Changes to the reservation that occur prior to the Start/Check in date will incur a non refundable fee of $5.00.
Changes made after the start/check-in date will be chargerd a service fee according to the following:

• If the total fee is greater then or equal to $50.00 then a fee of $5.00 will be charged.
  
  
• If the total fee is less then $50.00 then the fee of $2.00 will be charged.

Pet Friendly Campsites please click here for details on sites that are designated Pet Friendly, license and innoculation paperwork requirements and additional cost. Pet friendly sites are family campsites #30-41

Campsites: Forty tent and small trailer sites with fire rings and picnic tables. Flush toilets and showers are within walking distance. Open April 1 through October 31. New Jersey Residents: $20 per night; Non-Residents: $25 per night.

Camping Map (Low resolution for viewing purposes)
Camping Map (High resolution for printing purposes) File
Size:740 KB

Special Use Permit Application Package

A Special Use Permit is utilized to accommodate a specific activity or event being conducted over a short duration. There are two types of special use permits: Non-Commercial and Commercial and fees are based on NJ residency and Non-residents.  A completed application must be submitted to the park/forest area where the activity or event is being held at least 90 days prior to the event. If the special use or event is extremely large or complex, at least one-year’s prior notice is recommended.

The Musconetcong River provides excellent trout fishing. During the spring the Division of Fish and Wildlife stock the Musconetcong River with brown, rainbow and brook trout. Fly fishing is a popular activity.

State Park Service areas open to hunting

Tree Stands and Blinds Policy

More then 470 acres are open to hunting at Stephens State Park. Fishing and hunting are subject to NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife regulations.

The Park staff offer a variety of historical and natural interpretive programs seasonally. Contact the park office for a schedule of programs and to register. Program fees may apply.

The Rock Climbing area is located near Waterloo Village on Waterloo Road A waiver is Required. Contact park office for specific information.

Download the Rock Climbing Waiver
*To view this form, please download the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat

Electric motors and gas motors boats are allowed to be on the Musconetcong River. Each person must have on a wearable Coast Guard approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD). Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

Picnic sites are available along the scenic Musconetcong River and at the upper picnic area. Tables, charcoal grills and sanitary facilities are provided. Playground equipment and a small open play field are available at the upper picnic area. All picnic facilities are on a first come first serve basis, except for the group picnic shelter which can be reserved. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

For larger groups, we also offer a Group Picnic Shelter. It may be reserved for a fee:

• Groups of 20 or more people shall reserve picnic facilities at least five days in advance. Such group use is not permitted on Holidays except as authorized by the Superintendent. Reservations for picnic areas are handled by the individual park area offices.

Reservations can be made over the telephone using a credit card, or by mail using the Group Picnic Reservation form* downloadable here. Payment in full of the appropriate group picnicking fee must accompany this application.

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

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