Established in 1914 as New Jersey's first state park, Swartswood is well known for its great fishing and tranquil surroundings.  Little Swartswood and Swartswood Lake were formed by glaciers thousands of years ago and are now home to a variety of fish.  Both lakes have been the focus of water quality improvement efforts including invasive aquatic weed control and watershed protection.

From bald eagles to the unique plant life found in the sinkhole ponds, whether you are on land or water, there is always a chance you will catch a glimpse of the spectacular wildlife in Swartswood State Park.  The park is open year round with a variety of recreational activities available depending on the season.  During the summer, colorful sailboats take to the water either on a leisurely sail around the lake or while participating in the sailing regattas scheduled throughout the season.

Camping in the Park

Swartswood State Park provides 65 tent and trailer sites each with a fire ring, picnic table and lantern holder.  The maximum occupancy is six per site.  Flush toilets, showers and laundry facilities are within easy walking distance.  There is a trailer sanitary and water station available.  Campsites 1-21 are open all year while campsites 22-65 are open from April 1 through October 31 each with a charge of $20 per night.

The 3 group sites each offer picnic tables, a fire ring and lantern holder.  The minimum occupancy is seven and maximum occupancy is twenty.  Water and sanitary units are within walking distance of each of these sites.  Open from April 1 through October 31 each site rents for $20 per night. 

In addition the park provides 6 yurt sites with a fire ring, picnic table and lantern holder. Yurts are circular tents built on a wooden frame with concrete floors.  Each yurt has a skylight, lockable wood door, window screens with flaps and two double deck bunks, which can sleep up to four people.  Assembly of additional tents is not permitted on yurt sites. These sites are open from April 1 through October 31 and rent for $30 per site. 

Alcohol and pets are prohibited in overnight facilities.

Highlights of Swartswood State Park

Trails in Swartswood State Park:

Duck Pond Multi-Use Trail
This 0.6 mile-paved path provides a level surface for walking, biking, rollerblading, and skate boarding.  It is also accessible for persons with disabilities.  The trail meanders through a forested area along Duck Pond with wayside exhibits found along the trail that  provide information on the unique natural features found in the area.  A bird blind has been constructed to allow visitors to view birdlife in the area with little disturbance to their habitat.

Spring Lake Trail
This 2.8-mile trail begins at the end of the paved Duck Pond Trail.  Follow the white markers along the natural hilly terrain through a secondary succession forest to the secluded Spring Lake.  This trail is considered to be a moderate level hike.

Bear Claw Trail
This 0.8 mile trail is marked in yellow and begins at the Duck Pond parking area just to the right of our kiosk.  This is an easy to moderate hike on an earthen, hilly path.  The trail ends where it meets the paved Duck Pond Trail allowing you to combine the two trails for a full loop back to the parking area.

Grist Mill Trail
This 1.5 loop trail can be found at the most southern end of Swartswood Lake by the dam.  The steep rocky terrain makes this a moderate to difficult hike with rewarding views of Swartswood Lake.

Fishing for the freshwater angler can be enjoyed year-round in Little Swartswood and Swartswood Lakes.  The lakes are stocked with brown, rainbow and brook trout in the spring.  Summer and fall catches include bass, sunfish, catfish, walleye, perch and pickerel.  Fishing is available along the shores or by boat.  Fishing also is permitted in the mill pond near Keen's Grist Mill.  All fishing is subject to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife regulations.

Hunting is available in most of the area east of County Route 619.  Game commonly found in the park includes ring-necked pheasant, ruffed grouse, wild turkey, gray squirrel, eastern cottontail and white-tailed deer.  All hunting is subject to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife regulations.

Picnicking can be enjoyed in secluded picnic areas throughout the park.  Many overlook the lake and all have picnic tables and grills.  Charcoal fires must be contained to the metal grills provided at the site.  Visitors are free to bring their own metal grills.  Wood fires are not permitted at any of the picnic areas.  Food and refreshments are also offered at the concession stand.
A playground and open playing fields are located near the picnic area.  Volleyball and basketball courts and open areas for frisbee, golf and softball are located in the day-use area of the park.

Swartswood also offers a group picnic.  It holds a capacity of 100 people, provides shelter, play fields and playground equipment.  It may be reserved for a fee:
$55 per day, plus applicable parking fees
Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day
$80 per day
Day After Labor Day to Friday Before Memorial Day
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.  Payment in full of the appropriate group picnicking fee must accompany this application.

Boating is permitted and boat rentals are available in the park on a seasonal basis.  Please call for hours of operation prior to your visit.  The rental facility is typically open weekends only from May to the end of June.  The facility is open seven days a week from July through Labor Day.
 
Swimming is available in Swartswood Lake from Memorial Weekend to Labor Day, while lifeguards are on duty.  Swimming hours are 10 am to 6 pm.  Adjacent to the beach visitors can access facilities with changing areas, restrooms, showers, a first-aid station, and a concession building where food and beach supplies may be purchased.  The facilities are accessible for people with disabilities.
Inner tubes, rafts and other flotation devices are not permitted in the swimming area. Only Coast Guard approved life jackets are permitted.  Pets are prohibited on the beach.

Mailing Address:
P O Box 123
Swartswood, NJ 07877-5230
 (973) 383-5230 (973) 383-5230
GPS Coordinates
DMS 41° 04’ 25.07” N 74° 49' 07.62" W
Size: 2,472 acres
Fees: Entrance fees are charged per vehicle from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.
$ 5.00
weekdays
$10.00
weekends
N/A
walk-in/bicycle

Directions:
From Route 80, take exit 25, Route 206 north to Newton, about 12 miles. From Newton, make a left at the second traffic light (Route 206 and Spring Street) then make a left at the next light onto Route 519. Follow 519 for approximately 1/2 mile, then make a left onto Route 622 at Sussex County College sign. Follow Route 622 for about 4 1/2 miles. Turn left onto Route 619. The park entrance is about 1/2 mile south on Route 619.
 

Tags: campground, new jersey camping

The breathtaking and panoramic view from Sunrise Mountain, along the Appalachian Trail, rewards the hiker who has trekked up the steep side of the mountain.  The view encompasses the pastoral farmland of New Jersey to the east and undeveloped forests and mountain ridges to the west.  For those who don’t relish the idea of climbing up the side of a mountain and following a sometimes rocky and steep trail for a few hours, there is a short drive to the pavilion at the top of the mountain.
Stokes is famous for its impressive beauty, whether it is at the top of a mountain ridge or in the cool and fragrant Tillman Ravine with its rushing stream and steep cliffs.  Hikers, campers, fishermen and photographers are attracted to its wild setting.

Camping in the Forest

The forest has 51 tent and trailer sites with fire rings and picnic tables available at each. Some camping areas are open all year.  Each site rents for $20 per night.

In addition there are 9 group sites with a fire ring and picnic tables.  The site capacities vary.  These sites are open from April 1 through October 31

• Group Campsites A,B,C,D,E,F $30 per night, site capacity 30 people
• Group Campsite G $65 per night, site Capacity 65 people
• Group Campsite H $10 per night, site capacity 10 people
• Group Campsite I $45 per night, site capacity 45 people

There are also 9 lean-tos available with fire rings and picnic tables.  Open year round, each site rents for $30 per night.

The forest has 10 furnished cabins each with a wood stove, two single beds, one double-deck bunk, a kitchen with cold and hot running water, a refrigerator, an electric stove and a half-bath with toilet and sink.  Each cabin accommodates four people and has electric lights.  With prior permission from the superintendent, two additional people may be accommodated.  Cabins are adjacent to Lake Ocquittunk, open from April 1 through December 15 and rent for $45 per night or $315 per week.
From the Saturday before Memorial Day through and including Labor Day, cabins must be reserved for seven or fourteen consecutive nights only.  From April 1st to the Friday before Memorial Day and from the day after Labor Day through October 31st, cabins may be reserved for a minimum of two consecutive nights to a maximum of fourteen consecutive nights.
Cabins 7 & 15 can each accommodate eight people.  Facilities are the same as listed above, except they include a shower and hot and cold running water.  Cabin 7 has a fireplace and cabin 15 has a wood stove.  These cabins can accommodate people with disabilities.  Located 1/2 mile from Lake Ocquittunk and open from April 1 through December 15 the cabins rent for $85 per night or $595 per week.

Group Cabin 16 can accommodate twelve people.  The facility is the same as cabin 15 and includes two sleeping areas and two full bathrooms plus fireplace.  Located one mile from Lake Ocquittunk, the cabin is open from April 15 through November 30 and rents for $125 per night.

Alcohol and pets are prohibited in overnight facilities

Highlights of Stokes State Forest

“Homeowner Firewood Program” is a program to help you keep warm this winter by cutting your own firewood in designated areas of the park.  The program is available at seven state parks and forests statewide for $20 a cord while supplies last.  Homeowners are responsible for cutting and removing their own firewood.   Advance reservations are required and can be made for any two consecutive days.

Sunrise Mountain, especially its crest, is one of the most frequently visited sites in Stokes State Forest.  The mountaintop provides a breathtaking view at an elevation of 1,653 feet above sea level.  The thin soil and harsh climate characteristic of Sunrise Mountain is a difficult environment in which few plants can survive.  Mountain laurel, wild blueberry, pitch pine and scrub oak are among the natural vegetation found throughout the area.  The pavilion at the summit was built in the late 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.  The Appalachian Trail runs along the ridge

Tillman Ravine Natural Area (525 acres) is a cool evergreen forest of eastern hemlock growing on the steep slopes carved by the rushing waters of Tillman Brook.  Several trails wander through this spectacular ravine, providing views of waterfalls and ferns clinging to rock crevices.  The area is home to the threatened barred owl and other endangered species.

Fishing and Hunting is available throughout the forest.  Stocked annually by the Division of Fish & Wildlife, the Big Flatbrook and its tributaries provide some of the best trout fishing in New Jersey.  Lake Ocquittunk and Stony Lake also are stocked with trout and the majority of the forest is open to hunting.  Both fishing and hunting at Stokes State Forest are subject to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife regulations.

Picnicking at Stokes State Forest is offered at 2 picnic areas, Stony Lake and Kittle Field. There is also a Group Picnic Area at Kittle Field which has a capacity of 120 people.  Here a shelter, playfields and playground equipment are provided.  The group picnic area may be reserved for a fee.

The Stony Lake picnic area has 45 tables with adjacent grills located next to the swimming area.  This area may not be reserved.  
$55 per day, plus applicable parking fees
Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day
$80 per day
Day After Labor Day to Friday Before Memorial Day
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. Payment in full of the appropriate group picnicking fee must accompany this application.

Boating is permitted for small boats with electric motors only on the waters of Lake Ocquittunk and is subject to all applicable boating laws.  There is no boat ramp.

Swimming is permitted in Stony Lake from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day while lifeguards are on duty.  Visitors will find a beach complex containing a changing area, restrooms a first-aid station and picnic facilities.  Inner tubes, rafts and other flotation devices are not permitted in the swimming area.  Only Coast Guard approved life jackets are permitted.  Pets are prohibited on the beach.

Trails in the Stokes State Forest consist of forest trails plus a portion 12.5 mile section of the Appalachian Trail.  This section of Applachian Trail follows the Kittatinny Mountain Ridge through Stokes State Forest. The AT’s designated use is restricted to hiking only for its entire length from Maine to Georgia and is marked with white blazes through this narrow and sometimes very rocky area.  A brochure is available regarding New Jersey's portion of the trail at the park office.

Along Kittatinny Mountain are outstanding views of the surrounding landscape.  Sunrise Mountain offers scenic vistas of the Kittatinny Valley to the east and the Delaware River Valley to the west.

In addition to the Applachian Trail, there are more than 33 miles of marked forest trails within Stokes State Forest.  Trails that vary in length from one half mile to four miles, and over terrains rang from flat lowlands to rocky mountains.  Many of the trails connect, offering the hiker a variety of trips from an hour to a full day.

Location:
Sussex County
Mailing Address:
1 Coursen Road
Branchville, NJ 07826
 (973) 948-3820 (973) 948-3820
GPS Coordinates
DMS 41° 11’ 04.03” N 74° 47' 50.33" W
Size: 16,067 acres
Fees: Entrance fees are charged per vehicle from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.
$ 5.00
weekdays
$10.00
weekends
N/A
walk-in/bicycle
Directions:
Take Route 206, four miles north of Branchville.

Tags: campground, new jersey camping

Sea Pirate Campground is one that prides itself on putting lots of effort into being entertaining both for the kids and adults who camp or stay there. This makes it a great choice for families who are looking to camp. The Sea Pirate Campground features crabbing and a stocked fish pond so your kids (and the adults) can get their fill of both fishing and crabbing. The Crab Fest happens there every September so if you like crab even a little bit (and how could you not) you should definitely check it out for both the food and the live entertainment. Many other annual events happen nearby including a chili cookoff and an antique car show in June, and a Halloween Parade in October.

During the peak times of the year (mostly summer) the campground features a wide variety of planned activities to help entertain both kids and adults. These range from arts and crafts activities to Pilates classes. For teenagers who think they’re too cool for fishing and arts and crafts, the Sea Pirate Campground also offers areas where teens can play basketball, softball, and volleyball. There is a wide variety of restaurants nearby if you don’t want to cook over an open fire, and plenty of antique shops available if that suits your tastes. If you’re more interested in studying nature you’ll be happy to know that the Sea Pirate Campground is surrounded by the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. This makes it an ideal spot for birdwatching or other environmental studies.

The $32 nightly fee for camping is a good deal considering all of the activities and amenities that the campground offers. Overall this is a very family-friendly place and the Sea Pirate Campground works hard at making sure all of their guests are happy and enjoying themselves. It is definitely worth checking out if you have small children or teenagers and want to make sure they will be entertained and having a great time.

For More Info: Sea Pirate Campground

Tags: campground, camping recipe, nj campgrounds

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.  The canal could not however, compete with the development of the Morris and Essex Railroad in the late 1800s, and was eventually abandoned.

Camping in the State Park

Stephens State Park has 40 tent and small trailer sites with fire rings and picnic tables available at each.  Flush toilets are within an easy walking distance.  These sites are open from April 1 through October 31 and rent for $20 per night.

Alcohol and pets are prohibited in overnight facilities.

Highlights of Stephens State Park

Waterloo Village takes the visitor through time from a 400-year old Lenape (Delaware) Indian village to a bustling port along the once prosperous Morris Canal.  This early 19th-century restored village contains a working mill complex with gristmills, sawmills, a general store, blacksmith shop and several historic houses.

Park Programs are available at Stephens State Park and visitors are invited to participate in the Interpretive Nature Programs.  These programs are sponsored by the park free of charge.  Attendees meet at the end of the main parking lot at 1:00 pm each day.  In case of inclement weather, you are urged to contact the park office to determine if a program has been cancelled or rescheduled.

Trails at the park consist of 6 miles of marked trails 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.

Fishing is available in the Musconetcong River located in the park.  During the spring the Division of Fish and Wildlife stocks the Musconetcong with brown, rainbow and brook trout.

Hunting is open on more then 470 acres of Stephens State Park.  Both fishing and hunting is subject to NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife regulations.

Rock Climbing is available in an area which is located near Waterloo Village on Waterloo Road.  A waiver is required prior to rock climbing.  Specific information may be obtained from the park office. 

Boating is allowed for boats with both electric motors or gas motors boats on the Musconetcong River. Each person must have on a wearable Coast Guard approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD). Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

Picnicking is available at sites along the scenic Musconetcong River and at the Upper picnic area.  Tables, charcoal grills and sanitary facilities are provided at these sites. 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.
$80.00 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.  Payment in full of the appropriate group picnicking fee must accompany this application.

Mailing Address:
800 Willow Grove St.
Hackettstown, NJ 07840
 (908) 852-3790 (908) 852-3790
GPS Coordinates
DMS 40° 52’ 09.06” N 74° 48' 36.00" W
Size: 805 acres
Fees: No entrance fee.

Directions:
Willow Grove Street (Route 604), 2 miles east of Hackettstown or 7.5 miles west of Route 206 on Waterloo Road (Route 604).
 

Tags: campground, new jersey camping

SureFire E1L Outdoorsman LED Flashlight

To put a little, or a lot, of light on the subject try a SureFire E1L Outdoorsman LED Flashlight. Its brightly focused beam and surrounding light will enable you to get out of even the darkest of situations at the push of a button. The SureFire E1L Outdoorsman LED Flashlight provides you with “lighthouse” power in the palm of your hand, at its miniature 4 inch length and 1 inch diameter. Everything about the SureFire E1L Outdoorsman LED Flashlight is lightweight, weighing in at only 2.8 ounces. Well, not everything is lightweight—its beam and runtime gives you more last and greater throw than most of its competitors. In fact, when the forces above said let there be light, somebody must have switched on their SureFire E1L Outdoorsman LED Flashlight.

As convenient as the SureFire E1L Outdoorsman LED Flashlight is to carry, switching from high to low output is just as easy—all achieved at the click of a button. The tail-cap switch activates the beam and enables the user to select high or low output levels. The maximum output level of the SureFire E1L Outdoorsman LED Flashlight is 45.0 lumens, but for greater runtime you may want to select the low output of 3.0 lumens, which will provide up to eight and a half hours of runtime. Simply click or release off and press it once again to switch the output levels. At its top power level, the high beam produced is equal to twice that of the bigger and heavier two-D-cell flashlight. Although the beam produced by the SureFire E1L Outdoorsman LED Flashlight is quite tight, it does throw enough surround light to provide illumination for greater peripheral vision as well.

You’d be challenged to find a flashlight more durable than the SureFire E1L Outdoorsman LED Flashlight, and certainly be hard-pressed to purchase one that is as easy to carry and comfortable to use. One of the SureFire E1L Outdoorsman LED Flashlight’s best features is its almost indestructible power-regulated LED emitter with its Total Internal Reflection (TIR) lens, highly desirable for traveling rough terrain or maneuvering around unknown objects that go bump in the night. The SureFire E1L Outdoorsman LED Flashlight has an iron-hard body built of aerospace aluminum and anodized for gladiator strength that resists corrosion and wear. You can also carry it on your belt worry-free in all types of weather because of its gasket sealed, weatherproof O-ring attachment.

Those who created the SureFire E1L Outdoorsman LED Flashlight have thought of everything, a quality yet compact flashlight as well as a convenient way to provide energy to this powerhouse. With each purchase of a SureFire E1L Outdoorsman LED Flashlight comes a high-energy 123A battery. The battery is as durable and long-lasting as the flashlight itself, providing a ten-year shelf life for its users at an overall price of flashlight and battery being only $139. Most spend more for battery and flashlight replacement on less reliable, inferior products that can’t hold SureFire E1L Outdoorsman LED Flashlight a candle to go by.
 

Get The SureFire E1L Outdoorsman LED Flashlight Here!

Tags: camping basics, camping equipment

Surrounded by the rolling hills of Hunterdon County, Spruce Run Recreation Area is popular with picnickers, swimmers, fishermen, boaters and campers.  The reservoir was one of the first water supply facilities to be constructed and operated by the state and covers 1,290 acres with 15 miles of shoreline for recreation.  Spruce Run is the third largest reservoir in the state after Round Valley and Wanaque reservoirs.

Camping in the Recreation Area

Spruce Run Recreation Area has 67 tent and trailer sites with picnic tables and fire rings available at each.  Flush toilets and showers are within an easy walking distance.  Open from April 1 through October 31 each site rents for $20 per night.

Alcohol is prohibited. Pets are prohibited in overnight facilities.

Highlights of Spruce Run Recreation Area

The Highlands Millennium Trail is located in the Spruce Run Recreation Area. It is 0.91miles (one way) within the park boundaries and will eventually connect the Delaware River to the Hudson River.  This leisurely hike is not ADA accessible. The park grounds and roadways are excellent areas for other strolling, jogging and biking activities.

Fishing is available in the Recreation Area.  There are twenty-nine species of fish contained within the waters of Spruce Run including largemouth bass, catfish, sunfish, yellow perch and carp.  Trout, northern pike and hybrid bass are stocked by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife.  For fishing regulations please refer to the NJ Fish and Wildlife Digest.

Hunting in Spruce Run consists of a variety of waterfowl, which may be hunted on a seasonal basis.  The Clinton Wildlife Management Area is adjacent to the recreation area and is also open for public hunting.  Maps and information may be obtained from Division of Fish and Wildlife by calling (908) 735-8240 or (908) 735-8240.

Picnicking in Spruce Run is available in 6 picnic areas which are spaciously located in wooded and open areas overlooking the reservoir.  Each area includes tables, charcoal grills and restroom facilities.  Visitors may bring their own grills in accordance with fire regulations in effect at that time.  For larger groups, we also offer the Group Picnic Area. Open from April 1 through October 31, this area holds a capacity of 225 people, provides shelter, playground equipment and may be reserved for a fee:
$55.00 per day, plus applicable parking fees
Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day:
$80.00 per day
Day After Labor Day to Friday Before Memorial Day:
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. Payment in full of the appropriate group picnicking fee must accompany this application.

Boating, either electric or gas with a 10hp limit, sailing (25 feet in length and 30 feet above the water line height limit), canoe/kayaking, windsurfing are all permitted.  The recreation area has a trailer launch ramp and a car top launch area.  Rentals (908-638-8234 or 908-638-8234) available seasonally and boat storage (dry) available year round. Call for information.
Boat Storage (Dry)

Summer Season (April 1 – October 31)

Single Boat Trailer
$155.00
Double Boat Trailer
$230.00

Winter Season (November 1 – March 31)

Single Boat Trailer
$120.00
Double Boat Trailer
$180.00

Swimming is available in the reservoir from Memorial Weekend to Labor Day while lifeguards are on duty.  Visitors will find a beach complex containing changing areas, restrooms, showers, a first-aid station, and a concession building where food and beach supplies may be purchased.  Inner tubes, rafts and other flotation devices are not permitted in the swimming area.  Only Coast Guard approved life jackets are permitted. Pets are prohibited on the beach.  Grilling is prohibited along the beachfront including the posted grassy area.  There is a playground and open fields to accommodate various ball and net games.

Special Events are held at Spruce Run several times a year.  These events include walk-a-thons, sailing regattas, watershed clean-up days, triathlons, and weddings.

Winter Sports are available during the winter months.  Many visitors cross-country ski, ice fish, and ice boat at the recreation area.  Please contact the recreation office for snow conditions or visit the local weather channel.

Mailing Address:
68 Van Syckel's Road
Clinton, NJ 08809
 (908) 638-8572 (908) 638-8572
GPS Coordinates
DMS 40° 52’ 09.06” N 74° 56' 19.79" W
Size: 2,012 acres
Fees: Entrance fees are charged per vehicle from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.
$ 5.00
weekdays
$10.00
weekends
$ 2.00
walk-in/bicycle

Directions:
From the intersections of Interstate 78W and Route 31N, follow 31 north to the third traffic light – Van Syckels Road.  Turn left and continue 1.5 miles to the Park entrance which is on the left
 

Tags: campground, new jersey camping

Indian Rock Resort is a campground that is family owned and operated. This is great for campers who stay there because the owners really care and try to keep that personal touch in everything that they do. The camp is very scenic and peaceful in an area that’s heavily wooded. This means that campsites are fairly private and families can do their own thing. In addition to that, there are several different “community” areas that campers can also use. The Indian Rock Resort has a gigantic swimming pool, picnic areas, and badminton/volleyball courts. They can even accommodate wedding receptions and company picnics on site!

Indian Rock Resort offers lots of activities to help its campers stay engaged in something. These include country western dancing and lessons every Friday. They also offer arts and crafts sessions, and plaster painting for the craftier members of your family.

Indian Rock Resort is very close to Six Flags Great Adventure. They even offer discount camping/Six Flags packages that make a family vacation there that much more affordable. They’re also close to Jenkinson’s Aquarium, which is a great place to take kids or anyone interested in sea life. For those campers or RV-ers who just can’t leave the laptop at home, Indian Rock Resort is a WiFi hotspot which means you can get your internet fix without having to hunt for a Starbucks in town.

The campsites are $45/night which is a bit expensive for my tastes, but the amenities available might make it worth it for many families. There are also small cabins available for $65-$85/night with a minimum 2-3 night stay required. The cabins are geared towards families who, “like everything about tent camping except for the tent.” You need sleeping bags, air mattresses, and anything else you would bring for camping, but you get to sleep under a solid roof and walls that will keep the mosquitoes at bay.

For More Info: Indian Rock Resort

Tags: campground, camping new jersey, nj campgrounds

MSR Flex 4 System Cookset

On first glance at the MSR Flex 4 System Cookset, your first thought is that there is only one larger 5.3-liter cooking pot for a cost of $159.95. Although it seems expensive, you are intrigued by what makes this pan so costly so you open its lid to peer inside. That’s when you discover a complete set of cooking needs for a group of four people—all included in this one, now very affordable, price. Digging inside the pot is like opening a grab-bag of goodies, as you discover the following containers tucked within:

DuraLite DX Aluminum Pot & Lids
The MSR Flex 4 System Cookset includes this 3.2-liter pot with a nonstick finish for incredibly easy cleanup. This durable pot has an anodized surface to resist corrosion and avoid tough and sticky food that can adhere to the outside. It is also Teflon coated on the inside to prevent sticking and minimize burning. The larger pot that holds the entire MSR Flex 4 System Cookset is a 5.3-liter size with the same coatings. The pots also include brushed aluminum lids with integrated strainers. When your boiled foods are fully cooked and there’s leftover water in the pot, just turn it upside down and avoid the use of a heavy or inconvenient colander that must be held by a trusting assistant or placed inside the sink to tip and teeter from one side to the other. To make sure you suffer no painfully blistered fingers or accidentally loose your grasp on the pot, the smaller 3.2-liter pot comes with a Talon™ handle that attaches and detaches by the use of outside brackets. By including this handy accessory, the makers of the MSR Flex 4 System Cookset help you to maintain a scratch-free inner surface that allows for easy storage within the larger 5.3-liter pot, which has two built-in handles of its own for easy and safe lifting.

Plates & Mugs
For those hot soups, hamburgers with all their fixings, or juicy steaks, you will enjoy the DeepDish plates included with the MSR Flex 4 System Cookset. They are deep enough to hold soup or sauces, and yet you can still reach over the side to cut into that tender meat or fish without tipping its contents onto your lap. You’ll know who hasn’t cleaned up their individual dishes because the MSR Flex 4 System Cookset has color-coded them for easy identification. The 12.5 ounce stainless-steel mugs keep your beverages hot with their insulated sleeve and covered, sip-top opening that allows almost no steam to escape. Your MSR Flex 4 System Cookset has included four mugs and plates, and still they all fit within your larger pot for easy storage.

Lifting your packed pot is a task made easy by the MSR Flex 4 System Cookset, with an overall weight of 3 pounds, 10.8 ounces. They are designed to maximize space in your camper or tent, as each piece packs inside the other after each meal. Careful though, you may find yourself liking the MSR Flex 4 System Cookset so much that you will borrow a pot or two for home cooking and use it so much that you forget to return it to the camper. There is an easy way to always ensure your MSR Flex 4 System Cookset is always in the camper where it belongs, though, simply purchase a second set for your home.   
 

Tags: camping basics, camping equipment, camping needs

Seasoned campers know all too well the importance of having the right tools, cooking equipment, spices, work space, and everything else that is needed to be a successful camp cook.  When you are in the middle of preparing a meal and out in the middle of nowhere, it isn't a good time to realize that you should have brought certain items along to make the job easier.  Just think about all of the things you use at home when cooking.  It's no different in the woods, except for one thing….your kitchen cupboard could be a hundred miles away, and the nearest store might be too far to be worth the trip. Being prepared ahead of time takes the hassle out of camp cooking and ensures that everyone will enjoy great meals.

The first thing you should do is put together a "Chuck Box" (also known as a grub box or patrol box) where you store all of your camp kitchen equipment.  The only requirement for a chuck box is that it contains the items you need for your camp kitchen.  This saves you from scrounging around your home kitchen for place settings, cooking and eating utensils, spices, and everything else you'll need every time you want to go camping.  In the strictest sense a sturdy cardboard box could be used as a chuck box.  However, since cardboard is not water or rodent proof you are well advised to use inexpensive plastic containers that seal and are easy to stack. 

If you do much camping, you soon learn that it's not enough just to have the small things.  You also need work surfaces for cooking, cleaning and food preparation.  Camping table space is at a premium when you are doing outdoor cooking so some hard-core campers prefer to build a chuck box from wood that can provide an actual portable kitchen with many features found in the home kitchen including work surfaces. 

What all this really means is that once you have a well outfitted chuck box, whether it is a simple box full of utensils, spices, & other necessities, or a more elaborate design, your once lengthy camping checklist turns into only a few items with the chuck box being one of those items.  Now the hassle of getting ready to go camping is gone forever and you won't forget the key items because they are always in your grub box just waiting for your next adventure. 

When preparing your camp kitchen, there are many things you'll want to include.  As you become more familiar with cooking in camp, you'll be able to adjust your gear to your personal needs.  At first, you'll probably take along things that you'll never use, and forget things you wish you would have brought along.  Have a pen and paper handy to jot down the items you don't use and those items you needed, and make your adjustments accordingly.  Following is a checklist of items that most camp chefs will nearly always need:

Lighter or Matches
Campfire Kindling
Long Tongs for Hot Charcoal
Lid Hook/Lifter
Wisk Broom
Oven Mitts
Hot Coal/Ash Shovel
Hot Coal/Ash Bucket (fire proof)
Cookware (Pots, Pans, Pie Irons, Dutch Oven, etc.)
Wooden Stirring Paddles
Long Handled Solid Spoon
Long Handled Slotted Spoon
Long Handled Meat Fork
Long Tongs
Ladle
Long Handled Spatula
Wire Whip
Meat Thermometer
Can Opener (Manual, Not Electric!)
Vegetable Peeler
Paring Knife
Large Butcher Knife
Basting Brush
Cutting Board
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons
Aluminum Foil
Metal or plastic mixing bowls
Coffee Pot or Kettle
Plastic Dutch Oven Scraper
Paper Towels
Vegetable Oil
Dish Pan
Dish Detergent
Dish Rag
Nylon Scrubbing Pads
Dish Towels
Garbage Bags
Wash Basin
Fresh Water Container
Hand Soap
Wash Rag
Hand Towels
Fresh Water Container
Tableware
Plates
Bowls
Cups or Glasses
Eating Utensils
Table Cloth
Napkins

Tags: camp kitchen, camping equipment

Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag

It’s difficult to misplace this Bonfire orange Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag, with a regular size of 82” x 31” x 20”. As comfortable as its 600+ goose down fill is, the Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag has become quite the rage for cold-weather hikers, climbers, and backpackers whose sport often requires them to withstand temperatures of down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. Without careful preparation, which should include a Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag, enjoyment can be hampered and the sportsperson’s safety compromised. Besides the color, there are several more features that are making the Marmot Never Summer+0 Sleeping Bag stand out in a crowd of comfort-seeking campers. For instance, sleepers love its full-length, left-side zipper opening that also includes a guard to keep the fabric from being chewed up by the zipper teeth. The ground-level side seams enable people who are at the maximum weight and height limit to still have easy in and out access to the Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag, with hassle-free comfort once inside.

The regular size fits people whose height does not exceed 6 feet, and the price of approximately $300 is just as accommodating as its fit. If you need a bit larger size for more foot room but don’t want to go larger than a regular size Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag—no problem. You can get a regular size with a standard trapezoidal foot box that will allow you additional space and still be light and comfortable to carry. In fact, the full weight of the Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag – Regular is only two pounds, twenty-eight ounces. It can be easily tucked into a seven-by-fourteen inch stuff and storage sack, included with the Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag, for worry-free carrying when conquering your most difficult challenge on the trail or mountain.

Having backpacked your ultra light weight Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag to your desired site, the next best thing is that the protective twenty-eight ounce down fill will keep your fingers and toes as warm as a bonfire. With its Nautilus hood and draw cord, and the down-filled collar to prevent the loss of heat around your neck and head, you’ll be ready to face the new day after a cozy night’s sleep in your Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag. When your fellow campers see how completely comfort-tucked you are in your Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag, you may have to guard it with all you’ve got the second night in camp. The biggest temptation will be resisting all the extra goodies you’ll be offered in trade for just one night spent in the bag.

A word of caution, when sporting your Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag, fellow campers will see your gear and perceive you as a much more experienced sportsperson. So, listen carefully to the campfire talk and nod a lot to avoid detection; after all, one of the worst things for an inexperienced backpacker is exposure, right? A good idea before heading out is to take a trip with your group to the local sports store and encourage them to purchase some Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bags all their own—just as a preventative measure.
 

Buy The Marmot Never Summer +0 Sleeping Bag Now!

Tags: camping basics, camping equipment, camping needs