Wawayanda State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wawayanda State Park |
|
|---|---|
Kayaker (and great blue heron) on Wawayanda Lake
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Location | Sussex County |
| Area | 163-acre (0.66 km2) |
| Operated by | New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry |
Wawayanda State Park is a huge state park in northern New Jersey. It covers about 34,350 acres (which is over 139 square kilometers!). You can find it in both Sussex County and Passaic County. The park is a great place for outdoor adventures.
The park has about 60 miles (nearly 97 kilometers) of hiking trails. A special part of the famous Appalachian Trail also runs through the park for about 20 miles (32 kilometers). The New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry takes care of the park. Volunteers from the New York - New Jersey Trail Conference help keep the hiking trails in good shape.
Contents
Exploring Wawayanda State Park
Wawayanda State Park is part of a large forest area called the Northeastern coastal forests. This means it has many different kinds of trees and plants. The park is also home to various animals.
What Animals Live Here?
You might spot some interesting birds in Wawayanda State Park. Look out for the red-shouldered hawk flying overhead. You might also hear the calls of the barred owl at night. The great blue heron is often seen near the water, looking for fish.
Wawayanda Lake and Mountain
The park features Wawayanda Mountain, which is about 1,300 feet (396 meters) tall. There's also a beautiful lake called Wawayanda Lake. This lake was formed by glaciers long ago and is fed by natural springs. It's a popular spot for swimming, with a nice beach. You can also launch your boat here. If you want to stay longer, there are places for group camping.
Special Natural Areas
Wawayanda State Park has a few special areas that protect unique natural features. These areas are important for preserving different types of plants and landscapes.
Bearfort Mountain Natural Area
This part of the park covers about 1,325 acres (over 5 square kilometers). It includes Terrace Pond, which is located high up at about 1,380 feet (421 meters). The forest here has different kinds of trees like swamp hardwood, hemlock, and chestnut oak. Some rocky spots offer amazing 360-degree views of the surrounding highlands.
Wawayanda Swamp Natural Area
The Wawayanda Swamp Natural Area is about 2,167 acres (nearly 9 square kilometers). It's a special type of swamp with Atlantic white cedar trees. You'll also find a mix of oak and hardwood trees, along with a lake and Laurel Pond.
Wawayanda Hemlock Ravine Natural Area
This area is about 399 acres (1.6 square kilometers). It has a deep ravine, about 300 feet (91 meters) deep, created by Doublekill Creek. The ravine is surrounded by hemlock and mixed hardwood trees. The Appalachian Trail runs along the western edge of this natural area.
