Point Mountain Road, Lebanon Township, NJ
Phone: (908) 782-1158
www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/depts/parks/ParkAreas/PointMountainCentralSouth/info.htm
Hunterdon County
To reach Point Mountain Road parking area, return to Sliker Road and turn Right and after 0.7 miles and passing Pulaski Road, bear Right to stay on Sliker Road. Proceed 0.3 miles bearing Left onto Anthony Road. After 0.5 miles turn Right onto Mount Lebanon Road. Proceed 2.5 miles; the road will turn to Point Mountain Road. Parking area is on the Right just after CR 645/Musconetcong Road which is on the Left. To access Penwell Parking Area in the northern section continue straight on Point Mountain Road for 0.5 miles and turn Right onto Route 57. Proceed straight for 0.3 miles and turn Right onto Penwell Road. In approximately 0.5 miles, go across a one-lane bridge. The park entrance is the second driveway on the Right before the stone house. Map
5a) Mountain Top Road Parking Area To access Mountain Top Road parking area from Point Mountain Road Parking, exit parking area to the Left and turn Right immediately onto CR 645 South/Musconetcong Road. Proceed 2.2 miles and turn Left onto Hollow Road. After 1.3 miles turn Left onto Mountain Top Road and after 0.8 miles turn Right into parking area.
Open daily from dawn to dusk. Parking is available on Point Mountain Road, Penwell Road and Mountain Top Road. Rock climbing and bouldering are prohibited in the park. Be careful while hiking; there are steep slopes and drop-offs along the trails. Hunting is permitted by special permit. Contact the county parks department or visit www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/hunting/instruct.htm for hunting and fishing seasons and regulations.
For those who are in condition for a strenuous hike, there is a magnificent view of the river valley and surrounding countryside from the overlook near the top of Point Mountain. The closest parking area is Point Mountain Road. Take the Ridge Trail from the parking lot; it intersects the Overlook Trail.
There are several large flat boulders along the river, perfect for picnicking or just river-gazing.
| | This 1,082-acre park at the northernmost point of Hunterdon County includes a variety of elevations and associated wildlife habitats. Most of the terrain is rocky, dominated by the crest of Point Mountain, which offers a magnificent view of the surrounding countryside. The parking area near the Musconetcong River, a popular trout stream, is the origin of several trails that meander through different environments. The meadow in the southern region of the park, near Mountain Top Road is maintained to attract butterflies and grassland bird species. The northern Penwell Road section has mowed grass trails that follow the hedgerows and wood edges encompassing several cultivated fields. There are many scenic views and abundant wildlife in this large nature preserve.
The Riverwalk Trail offers the best chance to view wildlife as well as enjoy the scenic gorge cut by the trout stream.
Now that the leaves are down, look for woodpeckers that are common in this park; the substantial rectangular holes drilled by Pileated Woodpecker are hard to miss. The fast-flowing Musconetcong River does not freeze readily and serves as a source of water for wildlife; look for their tracks on the river banks. Possibilities include red and gray fox, coyote, white-tailed deer and raccoon.
Early spring brings migrating waterfowl to the river, particularly Common Merganser and Wood Duck. Later, the large sycamores along the river attract warblers such as Black-throated Blue, Pine, Palm and Yellow, along with other songbirds such as Scarlet Tanager and Baltimore Oriole. While walking the East River Trail, check the banks for Louisiana Waterthrush and Acadian Flycatcher. Broad-winged Hawk has nested in the park; keep alert for its piercing one-note cry. Red-tailed Hawk is common in the field sections.
Belted Kingfisher and Great Blue and Green Herons frequent the riverbank, while Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole and Rose-breasted Grosbeak nest in the adjacent deciduous woods. Black bear, white-tailed deer and smaller mammals like raccoon and red fox come down to the river for a cool drink early and late in the day. The meadow sections are good places to look for Grasshopper Sparrow, American Kestrel, red fox and numerous butterflies. While meandering along the Ridge Trail, look for Worm-eating Warbler and Black-throated Blue Warbler. Be aware of snakes sunning themselves on rock outcroppings, as the venomous northern copperhead may be present here, although it is a shy, non-aggressive snake.
Views of the valley and ridges from the park and scenic drive along the Musconetcong River are best appreciated during the colorful autumn season. The Mountain Top parking area and Penwell Road access are good places to scan the sky for migrating raptors such as Broad-winged, Red-tailed, Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks. As cooler temperatures set in, fruiting vines and shrubs within the floodplain make the Riverwalk Trail a prime spot for viewing wildlife.
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