Fairview Lake Lane; Sand Pond Road, Stillwater Township; Hardwick Township, NJ
Phone: (908) 879-7262
www.njskylands.com/pkblaircreek.htm
The Nature Conservancy; The Ridge and Valley Conservancy; New Jersey Natural Lands Trust
Turn Left out of the parking area. After 0.5 miles turn Left onto CR 521 South. After less than 0.1 miles turn Left at traffic light onto CR 521 South/Stillwater Road. After 1.2 miles turn Right onto CR 617 North/Fairview Lake Road. After 2.3 miles turn Left onto Old School House Road, this road is not marked. After 0.8 miles turn Right onto Fairview Lake Lane. After 0.4 miles bear Left at the fork where road turns to gravel. The main parking area is about a 0.5 mile from the fork and is on the Left side after entering the preserve. Please note that the Fairview Lake Lane parking is gated and can only be easily accessed from May-September. The parking area off Sand Pond Road is an alternative access (see below). Map
Open daily from dawn to dusk. During inclement weather trails and parking areas may not be accessible. Not all trails are clearly marked; a compass or GPS and waterproof boots are recommended. The poisonous timber rattlesnake and northern copperhead are residents; be sure to avoid contact. For alternate parking and access return to Old School House Road and turn Right. After 1.8 miles there is a lot with only two parking spaces on the Right. Note that when the road enters Warren County, the name changes to Sand Pond Road. Walk back up the road 0.2 miles for clearly marked trailhead access. Hunting is allowed by permit only; no fishing is allowed at the lake.
The Nature Conservancy sponsors a citizen science program at Blair Creek Preserve in which local residents participate in training sessions and then collect and report data regarding their observations. Contact The Nature Conservancy’s Northern New Jersey Office at 908-879-7262 for more information.
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| Wood Turtle | John Parke |
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With almost 500 acres, and plenty of adjacent land owned by the YMCA, the Township of Stillwater and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Blair Creek Preserve provides prime habitat for those deep-forest-dwelling animals that require vast, unfragmented open spaces. Forested wetlands, mountain streams and mixed hardwood forests combine to make this a unique and spectacular experience. From the parking lot walk 0.5 miles up the gravel road onto YMCA property, continue around the gate and down the hill to access paths on the Left into Blair Creek Preserve, across from Fairview Lake.
Fairview Lake, adjacent to the Preserve, is a prime Bald Eagle foraging spot, so keep vigilant watch of the skies.
Animal tracks abound. Look for Wild Turkey, raccoon, coyote and black bear, to name a few. Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse and White-throated Sparrow, along with Pileated, Downy, Hairy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers can easily be spotted during this otherwise stark season. During an irruption year, look for flocks of Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll and Purple Finch.
Native plants, such as ferns blanketing many of the wetlands and numerous wildflowers, put on a show. Migrating warblers begin in earnest early May. Look for Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Black-and-white, Magnolia, Hooded and Cerulean Warblers, and Common Yellowthroat.
A cool walk through the woods on an otherwise hot summer day will yield birding opportunities as well as streamside wildlife. Many threatened or endangered species may be found here, such as Bald Eagle, Barred Owl, Red-shouldered Hawk, wood turtle, northern copperhead and timber rattlesnake.
The autumn colors here rival those anywhere on the East Coast. The orange of the maples, the reds of the oaks and yellow birches, hickories and poplars blend with evergreens for a breathtaking fall display.
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