Voorhees State Park Trails

Directions:

From New York or North Jersey: Take Route 78 west to exit 17, merge with Route 31 north. At second traffic light, make a right onto 513 north through High Bridge. Follow signs to the park.

From Pennsylvania and western New Jersey: Take I-78 east to exit 16, cross Route 78 to traffic light. Proceed through traffic light. At stop sign turn left, merge onto Route 31 north. At second light on Route 31 north turn right on Route 513 through High Bridge. Follow signs to park

General Description:

Voorhees State Park, tucked into the wooded hills of northern Hunterdon County, two miles north of High Bridge, New Jersey is a small, rugged treasure. This is a great park for families and beginner mountain bikers. There are lots of activities (educational & recreational) designed for children. Voorhees has 7 trails that are suitable for a wide range of abilities and interests. All trails in the park are multi-use for hiking and mountain biking except the Cross Park Trail and the Parcourse Circuit (a fitness circuit trail), which are footpaths only. The trails range from wide and graveled to rocky and steep in places; the Parcourse is accessible for people with disabilities.

Facilities include: wooded campsites that are available year-round, three cabin-like shelters with wood stoves, modern restrooms with hot showers, drinking water, playground area, softball field, small fishing pond for children, lovely picnic areas ideal for family and group picnics with tables and grills.

There is no swimming at Voorhees State Park, however, nearby Spruce Run Recreation Area will permit registered Voorhees campers to use their beach and swim facilities.

The Paul Robinson Observatory was built by The New Jersey Astronomical Association, a not for profit corporation, to bring the wonders of space to the public. It is located on land leased from the state in Voorhees State Park on a hill 870 feet above sea level. Besides a vantage point for looking at the stars, the hill provides a panorama especially spectacular in the fall, and one which affords a view of Spruce Run Reservoir. (see Park Notes below for details).

The Trails:

The Voorhees State Park multi-use trails meander through densely wooded hills and hardwood forest, alongside a brook and past ponds and scenic overlooks offering diverse terrain for hikers and mountain bikers. The varied terrain is especially nice for advanced beginners to practice their mountain biking skills and gain confidence.

Stop at the Visitors Center for maps and information (park map does not show all the trails). Drive past the Visitor Center about 1/4 mile to parking area on right at the Hoppock Grove picnic area and playground. Across the road from the parking area is a small wooden bridge that leads to the trails. At the T intersection, turn right for the Brookside Trail or left for the Hill Acres Trail.

Brookside Trail : 0.5 miles (orange blazed)
Gently rolling dirt singletrack runs alongside Willoughby Brook. At 0.5 miles it intersects the park road. Cross the road to pick up the Tanglewood Trail for a loop ride that brings you back to the parking area.

Tanglewood Trail : 0.5 miles
Dirt singletrack that can be combined with the Brookside Trail for a fun 1 mile loop ride from parking area.

Hill Acres Trail 1.0 mile
Double & singletrack with some roots, rocks and a short, steep hill climb up to the camping area. Stay to the left. Spurs to the right lead to the campground. Come out in field above paved Hill Acres Road. To ride the Solar System Trail to The Observatory, turn right on the road and ride a short distance to a Scenic Overlook with a bench and Information Kiosk. Enjoy the beautiful views of the Round Valley Reservoir. You can pick up the Solar System Trail behind the Information Kiosk (sign).

Solar System Trail : 0.5 miles
Behind the Hill Acres Scenic Overlook Information Kiosk (sign) there is a trailhead for the trail to the Observatory. Along the way signs point out information of astronomical interest.

Vista Trail : 0.8 miles
The Vista Trail Overlook provides a panoramic view of Spruce Run Reservoir and the surrounding hills beyond. The trail is accessible from the parking area adjacent to Hill Acres Road.

Gold Trail : 0.8 miles
According the Park Ranger, this is a brand new trail. Don't know anything about it yet. Didn't get a chance to ride it when we were here in August 2006. Well, some things should be left for you to bike and find out for yourself.

Mtc Road Trails : 1.5 miles
Park maintenance roads.

Note: We suggest combining a ride on the trails at Voorhees State Park with a ride on the Columbia Rail Trail. Begin your day with a ride on the Columbia Trail out to Califon and back. Then drive ten minutes to Vorhees State Park and enjoy a picnic lunch at the Hoppock Grove picnic area. Rest a bit, then try some of the short trails at Voorhees for a full day of riding.

Park Notes:

Parcourse Trail
This is a fitness circuit trail, cooperatively installed by the NJ Division of Parks & Forestry and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey. It combines all the elements of a scentifically designed excercise program in an outdoor setting. The circuit is a series of 18 exercise stations spaced along a 1 mile path. The stations provide opportunities for warm up, stretching, muscle strengthening, cardiovascular conditioning, and cool down combined with walking, jogging and running between stations. The trail has been designed for use by people at every level of fitness and athletic ability.

Paul Robinson Observatory
Are you interested in the mysteries contained in the night sky? Stop by the Paul Robinson Observatory,
facility for the NJ Astronomical Association. The 26-inch Newtonian reflector telescope is one of the largest privately owned telescopes in New Jersey. The public is invited to explore the night sky at skywatching programs that are offered year round by the NJAA. A basic course in astronomy is also offered each spring summer and fall.

If you are camping at Voorhees, this would be such a fun and educational evening activity, especially for kids of all ages.

The Observatory is generally open to the public Memorial Day to Halloween:
Saturday evening from 8:30 - 10:30pm
Sunday afternoons from 2:00 to 5:00pm

For more information and to check dates & schedules:
phone: 908-638-8500
website: www.njaa.org

Historical Note:

In 1929, Foster M. Voorhees, a former Governor of New Jersey, donated his 325 acre farm know as "Hill Acres" to the State of New Jersey to becom a park. During the 1930's, the Civilian Conservation Corps maintained a camp at Voorhees State Park. As many as 200 men were housed at the camp during the Depression Era. The CCC was responsible for planting of forest trees. construction of shelters, picnic sites, roads, parking areas and trails throughout the park.

For more New Jersey Mountain Bike Trails

For more information:

Voorhees State Park:
51 County Road Route 513
Glen Gardner, NJ 08826

Phone: (908) 638-6969
TTY Users: 711 (AT&T National Relay Services)
Website: Voorhees State Park

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