Black River Wildlife Management Area

Map


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Park Overview:

The Patriots’ Path [white] follows four miles of the abandoned Chester Branch of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, which closely parallels the Black River though the wildlife management area.
Trail Uses:Hiking, Bridle path, X-C skiing
Dogs:Dogs on leash
Trail Miles:
Park Acreage:3078 acres
City/County/
State:		Chester/Morris/NJ
Buy Book:Hiking the Jersey Highlands - Illustrated Guide
Park Description:

This 3,000-acre WMA encompasses river bottom, swampy woodland, freshwater marsh, fields and upland deciduous woods.  Woods roads cross the mixed hardwood forest with a heavy understory and an occasional pine plantation.  Some of the fields are filled with wildflowers and grasses, while others are still cultivated.  The area is well known for birding.
Trails Overview:

The Patriots' Path [white] follows four miles of the abandoned Chester Branch of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad.  It closely parallels the Black River though the wildlife management area between Pleasant Hill Road near Chester and Hugg Road in Ironia.  The rail bed with its gentle grade offers hikers easy walking and views of freshwater marsh.  Other trails and woods roads are not marked.

  • Horses require an annual permit
Directions:

The wildlife area is located near Chester, which is at the intersection of US 206 and County 513 [North Road].   Several parking areas are on nearby Pleasant Hill Road at the southern end.  [Google Maps:  "Pleasant Hill Road and Larison Road, Chester, NJ"  Approximate location of parking areas; first parking area just south of bridge over the Black River.]   Two parking areas are off County 513 [North Road] 1.7 and 2.6 miles from the junction of County 510 with County 513.
Contact Information:NJ DEP, Div of Fish & Wildlife
609-984-0547
Region:Morris County
Fees:None