Sponsored by BRS Backyard Bug Busters ›Trails, ruins, and river crossings await at Hewitt's most historically layered state park.
Long before the Highlands Trail became a weekend ritual for hikers, this stretch of Passaic County land was the site of one of colonial New Jersey's most productive ironworks. Operating from the 1760s through the Civil War era, Long Pond Ironworks supplied iron to a young nation, and the evidence is still scattered across the forest floor. Stone furnace ruins, millrace channels, and informational placards make every mile a walk through living archaeology.
Today the park draws visitors who come for the trails and stay for the stories. Wide, flat paths wind past ponds and stream crossings, including rope-assisted water crossings that add a little adventure to an otherwise approachable hike. The scenery shifts from open meadow to dense canopy, with views that reviewers have called breathtaking, especially along the upper ridgeline sections.
Downloadable trail maps let you track your distance and plan your route before you arrive. Whether you are logging your first mile or your thousandth, the combination of Ringwood-area wilderness and tangible industrial history makes this one of the more distinctive parks in the New Jersey State Park system.
The park offers multiple trail routes ranging from light to moderate difficulty, making it accessible for casual walkers, families, and seasoned hikers alike. Rope water crossings on certain routes add a hands-on element that kids and adventurous adults enjoy. Trail maps are available for download through the NJ DEP website, so you can navigate with confidence and track your mileage in real time.
Historical interpretation is woven into the experience. Placards positioned throughout the grounds explain the ironworks operations, the workers who lived here, and the industrial machinery that once filled these clearings. The Long Pond Ironworks Museum building on site adds further depth for visitors who want to go beyond the trail. Fishing access along the ponds rounds out the recreational offerings for those who prefer a slower pace.
Admission to the park is free, and the site is managed by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry. Parking is available on County Road 511 in Hewitt. The park connects to the broader Highlands Trail network, making it a natural starting point for multi-day backpacking itineraries through northern New Jersey.
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“Excellent trail to try out on a quiet weekend. Place is full of history with a local museum worth visiting.”
— Young Cheong
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The park is located at 1334 County Road 511 in Hewitt, NJ 07421, in the northern Highlands region of Passaic County. Parking is available along County Road 511.
No, admission to Long Pond Ironworks State Park is free. The park is managed by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry and open to the public at no charge.
Trail maps are available for free download through the NJ DEP Parks and Forests website at nj.gov/dep/parksandforests. The maps are compatible with mobile devices so you can track your progress and distance on the trail.
Trail difficulty ranges from light to moderate. Many paths are wide and flat, suitable for families and casual hikers. Some routes include rope-assisted water crossings, which add a moderate challenge but do not require technical skills.
The site was home to an active ironworks operation dating to the 1760s, producing iron through the Civil War era. Stone furnace ruins, millrace remnants, and interpretive placards throughout the park document this industrial history in detail.
Yes, the Long Pond Ironworks Museum is located on site and offers additional historical context about the ironworks, its workers, and its role in early American industry. Hours may vary seasonally, so check the NJ DEP website before visiting.
Yes, the ponds within the park offer fishing access. A valid New Jersey fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older. Visitors describe the ponds as decent fishing spots in a scenic, uncrowded setting.
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