Enjoy a scenic stroll along the beautiful Musconetcong River trail located at Stephens State park.
Stephens State park, named for the family that, in 1937, donated 228 acres along the Musconetcong river for an excellent freshwater fishing spot which flows over and around boulders, with places for recreational purposes, provides camping, and picnic facilities. The history goes back much further, as indicated by an old limestone kiln near the park office.
On December 22, 2006, the President signed into law bill S1096, the "Musconetcong Wild and Scenic Rivers Act," which designates portions of the Musconetcong River as the newest component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The Musconetcong is a "Partnership River" whereby a number of municipalities coordinate on its management with the National Park Service.
View of the Musconetcong River
The Musconetcong River drains a 157.6-square-mile watershed area in northern New Jersey, and, as a major tributary to the Delaware River, is part of the larger (12,755-square-miles) Delaware River watershed. The 42.5-mile river in a general southwest direction to the Delaware River and ultimately to the Delaware Bay.
The Musconetcong River, nestled in the heart of the distinctive New Jersey Highlands region, features a remarkably diverse array of natural and cultural resources. The limestone geologic features present in the river corridor are unique in the region, and the steep slopes and forested ridges in the upper segments of the river corridor stand in stark contrast with the historic hamlets, pastures and rolling agricultural lands at the middle and lower end of the river valley.