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Kittatinny Valley State Park, located in Sussex County, comprises over 2,000 acres of hemlock and hardwood forests, fields, freshwater wetlands, lakes, and vernal pools representative of the Great Limestone Valley of northern New Jersey.

The interpretive programs at the park are designed to increase awareness and encourage the stewardship of our natural and cultural resources through activities such as guided walks, bike rides, slide and video programs, morning story hours, and special evening guest speaker presentations. Free nature programs are presented year-round and can be tailored to group interests. Over 100 programs, for adults and older children, ranging from beginner bird watching to orienteering, are available to select from. Outreach programs are also available upon request. Topics include, but are not limited to, wetland ecology, "Lost in the Woods," "A Bear's Life," "Leave No Trace," and bird migration.

In addition, the park administers two historically significant rail-trails. The Sussex Branch Trail is the former right-of-way of the Sussex Railroad, later to become the Sussex Branch of the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad. This route was constructed in 1851 to transport iron ore from the Andover Mine to the Morris Canal. The Paulinskill Valley Trail was once part of the right-of-way of the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railroad. This route was originally used to transport agricultural products and Pennsylvania coal to the cities of eastern New Jersey and New York City. These combined trails offer recreationalists 48 miles of trail for many outdoor activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, and nature study.

Highlights
  • A Project Learning Tree Trunk is stationed at the park office and is available to lend to educators. The trunk's activities are appropriate for use in the classroom with grades 6-12.

  • A butterfly garden behind the park office is a convenient place for nature discovery.

  • Outstanding natural features of the park include Lake Aeroflex, a 117-acre, 110-foot deep glacial lake (the deepest natural lake in New Jersey). It is also one of four lakes that provide exceptional fishing, canoeing, and kayaking opportunities within the park.

  • Picnic areas with tables and grills are available on a first-come, first served basis.

  • Click here for Current Programs at the park.

  • All programs require reservations. Please call the number below to receive our interpretive program brochure. Please make group reservations at least one month in advance. Entrance to the park is free.

Target Audience(s)
General public, civic organizations, scout groups, educators, students of all ages.

Division of Parks and Forestry Logo Additional Information
Kittatinny Valley State Park
P.O. Box 621
Andover, NJ 07821-0621
Phone: 973-786-6445
Fax: 973-786-6874
E-mail: kittatinnyvalley@earthlink.net
www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/kittval.html

Teachers' Guide to Educational Programs with New Jersey State Parks, Forests,
Recreation Areas, Historic Sites and the Forest Resource Education Center
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