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.
Access for Persons with Disabilities |
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 |
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:
New Jersey Resident $80
per day
Non-Resident $90
per day
|
Open year round |
50
percent of Fee
|
Group
Picnic Cancellation 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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• Allamuchy Mountain State Park
FAQ's
(Frequently Asked Questions) |
Can I obtain a permit for alcohol? |
No alcohol is permitted in ANY New
Jersey State Park. Permits are not available. |
Do I need a fishing
license? |
Yes. All visitors have to abide
by Division
of Fish and Wildlife regulations. |
Do you have cabins? |
Stephens State Park only provides
family campsites. |
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