| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS |
Morristown National Historical Park: Speedwell Park to Jockey Hollow Encampment
nj
Distance: 7.6 miles
Follow George Washington's footsteps through swamplands and forests on this 7.6-mile trek (one-way) to Morristown National Historical Park.
In addition to lush forests, farmland, and everglades, Morristown is steeped in American history. George Washington kept his military headquarters at the Ford Mansion. Samuel Morse invented the telegraph in Historic Speedwell. This 8-mile route along the Patriots Path connects Speedwell Park to the Jockey Hollow Encampment, where Washington's Pennsylvania Brigade spent the winter of 1779-1780 in tiny huts.
Start at Speedwell Lake and follow its headwaters, the Whippany River, through flooded woods and wetlands. The scenery gets increasingly rural the farther west the trail goes. After the trail rollercoasters into a four-way junction near Mendham Road, the route turns southward into Lewis Morris Park.
Wrap around the west side of the small lake, leaving behind riparian scenery for the pristine hardwoods of Morristown National Historical Park. Here, hikers will discover a few of the remaining log cabins where 13,000 Continental soldiers camped.
The route merges with the Soldier Hut Trail, cutting through more forest as it heads south to the Wick House. An apple orchard surrounded by a wooden fence marks the historic country estate. Bushwhack through the field toward the house for a closer look at the farm garden, then finish the hike at the Visitor Center.
Note: This 8-mile route can be done as a shuttle hike. Or, hikers can stay overnight at the primitive campground on Tempe Wick Road and turn the trip into a 16-mile out-and-back.
-Mapped by MacKenzie Ryan
PLAN IT
MAP: Download the park's hiking trails map at nps.gov/morr/planyourvisit/upload/TTrail_Guides_10_03_02-2.pdf
CONDITIONS: For current conditions, go to Morristown, NJ (07962) Weather
OTHER RESOURCES
GEAR
Ramsey Outdoor Store
281 Route 10 East
Succasunna-Kenvil, NJ 07876
(973) 584-7798
ramseyoutdoor.com
GROCERIES
Kings Super Markets
86 East Main St.
Mendham, NJ 07945
(973) 543-4493
kingswebsite.com
RESTAURANTS
Famished Frog
18 Washington St.
Morristown, NJ 07960
(973) 540-9601
famishedfrog.com
Pazzo Pazzo
74 Speedwell Ave.
Morristown, NJ 07960
(973) 898-6606
pazzopazzo.com
Copeland Restaurant
2 Whippany Rd.
Morristown, NJ 07960
(973) 451-2619
copelandrestaurant.com
TO TRAILHEAD: Start: From New York Penn Station, take Montclair, Morristown, or Gladstone Line to Morris Plains. Head south on Speedwell Ave. At 1.3 miles, turn right at Frederick St. Turn right at Marian Place, which turns slight left and becomes Willard Place. Speedwell Park and trailhead is on the left.
End: From Jockey Hollow Visitor Center, head southeast on Tempe Wick Rd. At 0.9 mile, turn left at Mount Kemble Ave. At 3.8 miles, turn right at West Park Place. Turn left at South Park Place. Continue 0.5 miles to Morristown train station. Take NJ Transit back to Penn Station.
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