Department of Environmental Protection

New Jersey State Park Service

NJ State Park Service LogoNJ State Park Service Logo

PARK ADVISORY: Emergency Road Closure: There is no vehicle access to Allamuchy Mountain State Park via Deer Park Road.   Please refer to trail map for alternate parking areas

 

PARK ADVISORY: Swimming is prohibited at Stephens State Park.

 

Stephens State Park Overview

The Musconetcong River, an excellent freshwater fishing spot, flows over and around boulders through Stephens State Park.

Stephens State Park features fishing in the trout stocked waters of the Musconetcong River. Daytime visitors can enjoy picnic tables and grills with scenic views right along the river, or take advantage of the numerous hiking and mountain biking trails. Tent camping is available to those who wish to extend their stay and enjoy this beautiful park.

Less than one mile east along Waterloo Road at Saxton Falls are the remains of one of the Morris Canal’s 23 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.


Trail Map

Cross-Country Skiing
The park’s open terrain is ideal for cross-country skiing during the winter months.

Hiking
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.

Horseback Riding

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

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

Playground
Playground equipment and a small open playing field are available at the upper picnic area.

Online reservations can be made at camping.nj.gov.

Thirty nine tent and small trailer sites with fire rings and picnic tables are available. Flush toilets and showers are within walking distance. Campsites are open from April 1 through October 31.

Boating (electric and gas motors), canoeing and kayaking are permitted on the Musconetcong River. Each person must have on a wearable Coast Guard approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD).

Fishing
The Musconetcong River provides excellent trout fishing. During the spring the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife (link is external) stock the Musconetcong River with brown, rainbow and brook trout. Fly fishing is a very popular activity.

Hunting
State Park Service areas open to hunting.

The park provides patrons with more than 470 acres of open hunting terrain.

Education Programs
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.

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 playing 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.

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. Payment in full of the appropriate group picnicking fee must accompany this application.

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 Stephens State Park recreational 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 (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
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.

Photo Gallery

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Related Links

Allamuchy Mountain State Park
Hopatcong State Park

Park Map

Area Map

General

Phone Number
908-852-3790

Mailing Address
800 Willow Grove St.
Hackettstown, NJ 07840

Email Address
StephensStatePark@dep.nj.gov

Park Hours

Gate Open daily from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Park Office Wednesday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Winter Office Hours: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Park Fees

Entrance Fee None

Other Related Fees
Map / Directions

GPS Coordinates
40.86906, -74.80527