Ken Lockwood Gorge Wildlife Management Area
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Park Overview:
Hike along an unpaved road closed to vehicles that parallels the South Branch of the Raritan River through a deep gorge. Some say it is amongst the ten most beautiful spots in New Jersey.
Park Description:
Typical of Wildlife Management Areas, the 500-acre Ken Lockwood WMA is managed primarily for hunting and fishing. It is also one of the New Jersey's most picturesque WMAs. Towering hemlocks lining the steep walls of the gorge provide shade and contribute to a sense of isolation. A 2.5-mile stretch of the South Branch of the Raritan River flows through the gorge, cascading over boulders, spilling over small waterfalls, and pouring into quiet pools. It is a wild and scenic river particularly in the spring.
Trails Overview:
Hikers can enjoy a stroll along the unpaved road that parallels the river without interruption by vehicular traffic.
- Hikers parking in High Bridge (use Trailhead Directions on this site) can access the gorge via the Columbia Trail where it crosses the Raritan River on a high trestle.
- Use the Web Map link on this site for a trial map of the Columbia Trail in the gorge.
- Current topographical maps are available for download from the Table of Wildlife Management Areas -- observe the steep contour lines.
Park Acreage:
498.76 acresMunicipality:
Lebanon TownshipHike along an unpaved road closed to vehicles that parallels the South Branch of the Raritan River through a deep gorge. Some say it is amongst the ten most beautiful spots in New Jersey.
Typical of Wildlife Management Areas, the 500-acre Ken Lockwood WMA is managed primarily for hunting and fishing. It is also one of the New Jersey's most picturesque WMAs. Towering hemlocks lining the steep walls of the gorge provide shade and contribute to a sense of isolation. A 2.5-mile stretch of the South Branch of the Raritan River flows through the gorge, cascading over boulders,...
Park Acreage:
498.76 acresMunicipality:
Lebanon TownshipContact Information
Web Link:
NJDEP, Division of Fish and Wildlife,Phone:
(609) 984-0547Fees:
NoneDogs in park:
Dogs on leash
Hike Checklist:
Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
The Essentials
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
- Repackage food to minimize waste.
- Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
- Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
- Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
- Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
- Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
- Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
- To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
- Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Directions to Trailhead
Public TransportationDirections to Trailhead :
Take I-78 to Exit 17 and continue north on NJ 31 for 1.9 miles, turn right on County 513 toward the Borough of High Bridge.
- To reach the southern end of the wildlife management area, park in High Bridge in a municipal lot is located at 79 Main Street. GPS Coordinates: 40.66949, -74.896492. The Columbia Trail trailhead is near by, leading to the gorge.
- Parking is also available at Voorhees State Park further north on County 513 [on the left], just avoid staying after closing time when locked gates can trap your vehicle. Parking is permitted at Voorhees High School [on the right of County 513 near the Voorhees S.P. entrance] when school is not in session.
- Public transportation is available to High Bridge via weekday commuter service on the NJ Transit Raritan Valley Line.
TRAIN TRANSPORT :
Public transportation is available to High Bridge via weekday commuter service on the NJ Transit Raritan Valley Line.
BUS TRANSPORT :
Not available
Support the trails with a donation!Trip Reports
rate experienceFrom George Perry, author of "Hiking the Jersey Highlands," who visited the gorge in mid-August:
The State has been repairing and resurfacing River Road after it was washed out in places by a flash flood after a heavy thunderstorm in June. During the work, access to the road from Hoffman's Crossing Road and from High Bridge was blocked to cars. The work is now almost complete. On Monday I walked the hike, as described in "Hiking the Jersey Highlands," from the parking lot in Califon off Route 512 to the restored rail bridge over the river. Parking on River Road about 0.4-mile in from Hoffman's Crossing is available. A gate has been installed beside the parking area at the beginning of the new pavement, but it isn't locked. No obstacle to hikers.
Until the paving work is complete, access for cars to River Road may be blocked, but walkers can get through. The work was supposed to be done by the end of July, but of course there have been delays.
It seems to be almost complete, but there are now auto gates at both ends. I've seen one and been told about the other by the driver of the passing car. How they will be used isn't clear.
Access for hikers on the railbed trail from Califon to High Bridge (the route of the Columbia Trail and partially of the Highlands Trail) was never impeded by the work, and remains open.
Hiker parking and access to the Highlands Trail from route 513 and Stephens State Park was never impeded.
Added note: Updates are welcomed, please use the "reply" button.