Morristown National Historical Park: Speedwell Park to Jockey Hollow Encampment

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
INFO: Morristown National Historical Park

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.

Trail Facts

• Distance: 12.2

Waypoints

001

Location: 39.9948733, -105.6347626

Pak Lot

002

Location: 39.9988798, -105.6372737

Boudry

003

Location: 40.0023518, -105.6411305

Strem

004

Location: 40.0032118, -105.6438062

04-JUL-08 1:01:41AM

005

Location: 40.0039777, -105.6462584

04-JUL-08 1:08:24AM

006

Location: 40.0039829, -105.6462602

04-JUL-08 1:08:28AM

007

Location: 40.0039892, -105.6462608

04-JUL-08 1:08:35AM

008

Location: 40.0041485, -105.6464141

R A 3W

009

Location: 40.0104163, -105.6585111

Ap Ag

010

Location: 40.0109429, -105.6590009

Mine

011

Location: 40.0117504, -105.6596219

04-JUL-08 2:10:02AM

012

Location: 40.0117234, -105.6597091

Start

013

Location: 40.0147125, -105.6719137

Rock Fall

014

Location: 40.0144709, -105.6779863

L A Y

015

Location: 40.0140077, -105.681124

R A Y

016

Location: 40.0141365, -105.6826319

C Lak

017

Location: 40.0168534, -105.6872455

Turn Around

018

Location: 40.0144161, -105.6780686

R A Y

019

Location: 40.0161418, -105.6752766

Down

020

Location: 40.0103727, -105.6584867

R A Y

021

Location: 40.011116, -105.6496771

View

022

Location: 40.0158076, -105.6438557

Saddle Glacier

023

Location: 40.3065595, -105.5378145

Th

024

Location: 40.3048233, -105.5401716

L A Y Spt

025

Location: 40.3006667, -105.545485

S A 4 Way Cr Bridge

026

Location: 40.2916101, -105.570265

View L Longs

027

Location: 40.2929002, -105.5735318

L A 4W To Longs

028

Location: 40.2869204, -105.5647163

R A 3Way

029

Location: 40.2866523, -105.5681095

C#mp

030

Location: 40.2844533, -105.5719347

Mine Stream

031

Location: 40.2750855, -105.5642549

R At T

032

Location: 40.2728116, -105.56985

Camp

033

Location: 40.273428, -105.5800064

Bridge Tundra

034

Location: 40.2707888, -105.5842154

L A Y

035

Location: 40.2656051, -105.5924756

R At 3 W

036

Location: 40.2741127, -105.6054092

R At 3W

037

Location: 40.2892679, -105.6031389

Treeline

038

Location: 40.2872737, -105.6106679

Thick Pine

039

Location: 40.2877069, -105.6126126

Sm Stream

040

Location: 40.2891078, -105.6173822

R A 3W

041

Location: 40.2919806, -105.6174203

Camp

042

Location: 40.3056957, -105.617042

Desend To River

043

Location: 40.3167732, -105.6157064

R A 4W

044

Location: 40.3148711, -105.6121859

R At Y

045

Location: 40.3113208, -105.6069164

S A 3W

046

Location: 40.3072853, -105.6000716

Stream

047

Location: 40.2960423, -105.5829606

V To L

048

Location: 40.2930262, -105.5737328

St A 4W Storm Pass