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New Jersey
Skylands Region
Kittatinny Valley State Park
Kittatinny Valley State Park © JackTheVicar / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kittatinny Valley State Park on September 22, 2015.
Kittatinny Valley State Park © Aplaster / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A view from the middle of Lake Aeroflex in New Jersey during summer.
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KITTATINNY VALLEY STATE PARK
KITTATINNY VALLEY STATE PARK
199 Goodale Road
Newton, New Jersey   07860
(lat:41.0185 lon:-74.7367) map location

Phone: 973-786-6445
Email: park email button icon
Glacial lakes, limestone outcroppings, former railroads, and a small airport are features of Kittatinny Valley State Park. Lake Aeroflex and Gardner?s Pond form part of the headwaters of the Pequest River and are excellent for fishing and boating. This scenic property is home to a variety of wildlife such as whitetail deer, wild turkey, a variety of songbirds, beaver, muskrats, and squirrels.

Hunting, hiking, mountain biking, birding, and horseback riding are popular activities. The four lakes offer fishing, boating, and kayaking opportunities.

The Paulinskill Valley Trail and the Sussex Branch Trail are former railroads that have been converted for use as multiple use trails. Both railroads were critical to the development of Sussex County through the late 1800?s and early 1900?s. The wide cinder surface is ideal for walking, running, mountain biking, and horseback riding. When snow conditions are abundant, these trails provide and excellent opportunity for cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. You might even see a musher and his dogsled team running down the trail!

Kittatinny Valley State Park and rail trails are open during daylight hours only. The Lake Aeroflex boat ramp is open 24 hours for fishing from boats.
Nature of the Area
Brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegills, landlocked salmon, and assorted panfish.
Nearby Accommodations
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BBs / Inns
A brick patio in ground swimming pool invite guests to step outdoors and enjoy their picturesque surroundings and provide a lovely spot for seasonal breakfasting, sunbathing or just plain relaxing
0.8 miles from park*
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Whistling Swan Inn - Stanhope, NJ
BBs / Inns
Nestled in the beautiful Skylands Region of New Jersey, the house now known as The Whistling Swan Inn was built in 1905 by Justice of the Peace, Daniel Best, for his wife, Sarah. Come visit Northwest NJ's finest Victorian Inn Voted Top Ten BB in US by Inn Traveler Magazine
6.5 miles from park*
Boating
The park offers various boating options for visitors. The four lakes within the park, namely Lake Aeroflex, Gardner's Pond, Twin Lakes and White's Pond are open to kayaking and canoeing enthusiasts. However, only electric motors are allowed on these waters ensuring a quiet experience in nature. Boat rentals aren't available at the site so guests must bring their own equipment.
Fishing
Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy four beautiful lakes teeming with largemouth bass, pickerel, and catfish. Trout are stocked in Aeroflex Lake during springtime. The smaller Twin Lakes is perfect for pan fishing bluegills and perch. For fly-fishers, the Paulinskill River offers a variety of trout species.



Picnicking
A small number of picnic tables and grills are available near the parking area adjacent to Limecrest Road. Other picnic tables are scattered through the park.
Trails
Trails in the park vary in difficulty and terrain from the gravel roads that are walked and biked by many to the technical terrain enjoyed by hard-core mountain bikers. Single track trails and gravel roads are suitable for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and horseback riding. A 2-mile self-guided nature trail provides a brief introduction to the park?s natural and cultural resources. Motorized vehicles are not permitted on any park trails.

Paulinskill Valley Trail

For most of its 27 miles, the trail passes through rural landscapes, northern deciduous forests and wetlands, and small towns in Warren and Sussex Counties. The trail cuts under the majestic Hainseburg viaduct, once part of the Erie Lackawanna Railroad. The trail has a wide, firm cinder base suitable for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. Over 100 different species of birds are identified in and along the trail corridor in an annual bird census conducted by members of the Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee. Six bridge crossings of the Paulinskill River provide scenic views of the river and some fishing access. Monthly hikes on the Paulinskill Valley Trail are sponsored by the Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee, (908) 684-4820.

Sussex Branch Trail

This 20-mile trail skirts swamps, lakes, fields and several small communities. The trail corridor exhibits many features of the trail?s former existence as a railroad. Among them are graded fill areas, cuts through bedrock, underpasses that allow the passage of farm equipment and dairy cattle from one side of the tracks to the other, and bridges crossing the Pequest or Paulinskill Rivers. The flat cinder base of the trail permits multiple uses including hiking, horseback riding, biking, cross-country skiing and dog sledding. The trail provides access for fishing and for wheelchairs in certain areas. The Sussex Branch Trail also crosses through Allamuchy Mountain State Park.

General Rail Trail Information

On rail trails, grades are minimal and there is access for people with disabilities in some areas. Motorized vehicles are not permitted on either trail. These trail corridors are narrow and lands beyond the trail corridor are generally privately owned. Please stay on the trail. Be aware of hunting seasons during the Fall and Winter as adjacent private or public lands may be open for hunting. As a courtesy, hikers/walkers should yield to bikers and all should yield to horses. Bikers should also give a verbal or bell warning to hikers or horses before overtaking them on the trails.
Bicycling
Biking enthusiasts can explore over 20 miles of multi-use trails. Be aware, the terrain varies from flat to hilly.

The four well-marked trails are open year-round for biking activities but remember safety precautions during winter months.

For a challenging ride, try the Sussex Branch Trail which is rocky and may require advanced bike handling skills.

On Flyway Drive trailhead you'll find an easy path suitable for beginners or family rides; however, watch out for pedestrians.

Paulinskill Valley Trail offers scenic views with some steep sections - ensure your brakes are in good condition before tackling this route.

Night riding isn't recommended due to limited visibility and potential wildlife encounters on all routes within park boundaries.
Nature Programs
The park offers a variety of interpretive and educational programs on a year-round basis. Nature hikes, mountain bike rides and talks are conducted by the park naturalist or an invited guest speaker and are scheduled each weekend during the Spring and Summer seasons. Programs are also scheduled during the Fall and Winter, but with less frequency. Check the Calendar of Events for Kittatinny Valley State Park's current programs.

Bursting with vibrant colors, Kittatinny Valley State Park is home to an award winning Butterfly and Hummingbird garden.

Junior Naturalist Workbook and Program Series

Calling all kids ages 7 through 12! Do you like to be outdoors? Do you like to have fun? Then stop by the park visitor center to find out how you can become a Kittatinny Valley State Park Junior Naturalist!
Birding
The park offers diverse birding opportunities with over 200 species recorded. Birdwatchers can explore four well-marked trails, each offering different habitats and birds to observe. The Paulinskill Valley Trail is particularly popular for spotting waterfowl and raptors while the Sussex Branch Trail provides chances to see woodland birds like warblers or flycatchers. Lake Aeroflex attracts a variety of aquatic species such as herons, ducks, ospreys etc., whereas Goodale Road has open fields ideal for viewing grassland birds including sparrows and meadowlarks.
Area Attractions
* Park Programs * Trails * Fishing * Hunting * Picnicking * Mountain Biking * Boating/canoeing: electric motors only * Winter sports: cross-country skiing, dog sledding * Aeroflex-Andover Airport
Things To Do in the Area
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Arts/Cultural/Drama
Peters Valley is a non-profit education center and gallery for craft arts. Tour the studios on weekends during summer. Workshops May to September, 2 to 5 days. Expert instructors from US and abroad. Commute or sleep over for a mini-vacation close-to-home. Wood turning, weaving, jewelry, ceramics, blacksmithing, photography, papermaking, beading and more.
14.4 miles from park*

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
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Area Campgrounds
Fla-Net RV Park
20 Flanders Netcong Road
Flanders, NJ
973-347-4467
Harmony Ridge Farm & Campground
23 Risdon Drive
Branchville, NJ
973-948-4941
Kymer's Camping Resort
69 Kymer's Road
Branchville, NJ
Panther Lake Camping Resort
6 Panther Lake Road
Andover, NJ
Goodland Country Club and Spa
Drakestown Road
Hackettstown, NJ
908-850-1300
Windy Acres Campground
294 Newton-Swarstwood Road
Hampton, NJ
973-897-8695
Beaver Hill Campground
120 Big Spring Road
Hardyston, NJ
973-827-0670
Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
995 Weldon Road
Lake Hopatcong, NJ
973-663-0200
Green Valley Beach Campground
68 Phillips Road
Newton, NJ
973-383-4026
Mountain Shadows Lake Association
946 Owassa Road
Newton, NJ
973-383-5008
Nearby Hotels
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Directions
To the park office: From Route 80, take Route 206 north approximately 8 miles through Andover Borough. Turn right onto Goodale Road and follow it approx.1 mile to the park entrance on the right.
Airport
Aeroflex-Andover Airport

The airport located within the boundaries of Kittatinny Valley State Park is owned by the State of New Jersey and operated by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. It is used as a general aviation airport. Airplane watching is a popular pastime. During fire seasons, the airport serves as an air attack base to facilitate aerial attacks on forest fires using helicopters and commercial spray planes for water drops on forest fires. Aeroflex-Andover Airport is operated by the NJ Forest Fire Service as a general aviation airport and as a base for aerial forest fire suppression. (973) 786-5100.

Please be aware that in an effort to comply with the NJDOT, Division of Aeronautics regulations at the Aeroflex-Andover Airport and to enhance the safety of visitors to Kittatinny Valley State Park, gates have been installed at the north end of the airport. Visitors will no longer be permitted to cross the runway along the southern shore of Lake Aeroflex. The gates are closed to all pedestrians, cyclists and horseback riders. Visitors may still enjoy the use of the Lake Aeroflex boat ramp and the adjacent picnic area via the Limecrest Road entrance. The park?s trails, office and other facilities are accessible via the main park entrance on Goodale Road. Call the park office with any questions at (973) 786-6445.
Area Shopping
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Arts Crafts
The store at Peters Valley Craft Center offers original handcrafted art, jewelry, clothing, ceramics, and home furnishings. Unique items from over 300 artists offer distinctive ideas to embellish the home, treat yourself, or to select for a gift. Visit the Gallery upstairs for our latest exhibit of fine art craft.
14.4 miles from park*

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New Jersey
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New Jersey State Parks

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