Kittatinny Valley State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kittatinny Valley State Park |
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Kayakers on Lake Aeroflex
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| Location | Andover Township Andover Borough |
| Area | 5,656-acre (22.89 km2) |
| Operated by | New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry |
Kittatinny Valley State Park is a large park in Andover Township and Andover Borough, New Jersey. It covers about 5,656 acres (22.89 km2). The park has beautiful Glacial lakes, cool rock formations, and old railroad lines. It's a great place to explore nature and enjoy outdoor activities.
The park is home to many animals. You might spot whitetail deer, wild turkeys, and various songbirds. Look out for beavers, muskrats, and squirrels too! The New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry takes care of the park.
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Fun Activities at Kittatinny Valley State Park
Kittatinny Valley State Park offers many fun things to do all year. Park staff and volunteers lead nature hikes and mountain bike rides. They also give talks about the park. These activities happen every weekend.
Special Park Programs
There are weekly walks, like the "Wednesday Walkers" group. You can also join full moon hikes when the moon is bright. The park plans special hikes and programs throughout the year. There's always something new to discover!
The Slater House was built in 1874 by Charles K. Slater. It used to be the park's main office. Now, it serves as the headquarters for District 3 of the New Jersey State Park Police.
Fishing in the Park's Lakes
The park has several lakes and ponds perfect for fishing. You can fish from the shore or use a small boat. During winter, if the ice is thick enough, you can even go ice-fishing!
Lake Aeroflex (New Wawayanda Lake)
Lake Aeroflex is also known as New Wawayanda Lake. It covers about 119 acres (0.48 km2). You can reach it from the shoreline or a boat launch ramp. The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife adds brown and rainbow trout to the lake each year. You can launch small boats by hand or with a small cart. Cars cannot drive directly to the launch area. This lake is special because trout can live here all year.
Gardner’s Pond
Gardner's Pond is a 39-acre (157,827 m2) pond. You can get to it through the small plane parking area at the Aeroflex–Andover Airport. Like Lake Aeroflex, you can launch small boats by hand. There is no car access to the pond.
Twin Lakes
Twin Lakes is a 29-acre (117,359 m2) lake. It's located off Goodale Road in Andover Township. Fishermen can use the car-top boat launch or fish from the shore.
White's Pond
White's Pond can be reached from the Sussex Branch Trail or Goodale Road. You can only fish from the shoreline here.
Hunting in Designated Areas
Hunting is allowed in certain parts of the park. However, it is never allowed on or near the trails. Areas west of Goodale Road and east of Limecrest Road are open for hunting during all hunting seasons. Hunters must follow the rules set by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Picnic Spots
If you want to have a picnic, there are tables and grills available. You'll find some near the parking area on Limecrest Road. Other picnic tables are spread out in different spots throughout the park.
Mountain Biking Adventures
The park has over eight miles (13 km) of exciting mountain bike trails. These trails are rugged and offer a challenge for all skill levels. Volunteers from the Bulldog Mountain Bike Team help keep the trails in good shape. They even prepare them for mountain bike races held in the park each year. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection rates and describes all the trails.
Aeroflex-Andover Airport
The Aeroflex-Andover Airport is located inside the park. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service owns and manages it. This airport is used for general aviation. It also serves as an airbase to help fight wildfires from the air.
Explore the Park's Trails
The park has several trails for hiking, biking, and more.
Sussex Branch Trail
The Sussex Branch Trail is 20 miles (32 km) long. It goes through swamps, lakes, fields, and several towns. This trail used to be a railroad line. You can still see many features from its railroad past. These include raised areas, cuts through solid rock, and underpasses. These underpasses once allowed farm equipment and cows to cross under the tracks. There are also bridges over the Pequest River and Paulins Kill.
The trail has a flat, cinder base. This makes it great for many activities. You can go hiking, horseback riding, biking, or cross-country skiing. It's even used for dog sledding! The trail also provides access for fishing and is wheelchair-friendly in some areas. The Sussex Branch Trail also connects to Allamuchy Mountain State Park.
