|
Trail Guides
|
Kittatinny Valley State Park
|
1
 
|
Goodale Road, Andover Township, NJ
Phone: (973) 786-6445
www.njparksandforests.org
NJ Department of Environmental Protection
From I-80, take exit 25 for U.S. Route 206 North and continue approximately 8.0 miles through Andover Borough. Turn Right onto Goodale Road and follow it 1.0 mile to the park entrance on the Right. Turn right in to the park entrance and follow the entrance road 0.4 miles to the park office. Map
Kittatinny Valley State Park also includes the 20 mile long Sussex Branch Trail (SBT) and the 27 mile long Paulinskill Valley Trail (PVT). A separate guide to these two trails is available from the park office. Exceptional and expanded birding opportunities are available along the SBT between U.S. Route 206 and Augusta Hill Road in Frankford Township and along the PVT West of Warbasse Junction, in the vicinity of the Hyponex section of the Paulinskill Wildlife Management Area.
The nature experience at Kittatinny Valley is incomplete without partaking in a naturalist program or interpretive tour. Activities for all ages and skill levels are offered throughout the year and a weekly schedule is available from the park office. The park also offers a Junior Naturalist Program for children ages 7 to12 that includes a free workbook.
| |
 |
| Fox Kits | Scott Elowitz |
| |
Kittatinny Valley State Park is the perfect place to begin a day of wildlife watching and outdoor exploration. Stop at the park office for an update on recent sightings and natural events. Peruse the many free maps and brochures, such as the “Birds of Kittatinny Valley State Park,” which lists the 224 species of birds that are resident, migrant or transient in the park. The diverse habitat of this relatively small area supports an equally diverse assemblage of flora and fauna. There are over 50 miles of hiking trails.
Behind the park office is a small, attractive and well maintained butterfly garden flanked by a strip of iris along one side. Sixty-nine species of butterflies have been observed in the park and surrounding areas. Red-spotted Purple, Great-spangled Fritillary, Monarch, a variety of hairstreaks and the stunning Eastern Tiger Swallowtail are all possible visitors to the garden. When the bee balm (also known as bergamot) is in bloom, hummingbird moths are a fascinating addition to the garden.
Usually, smaller lakes and ponds in the area freeze before the 110-feet deep Lake Aeroflex, making it an excellent place to view a variety of waterfowl. Visit after a snowfall to cross-country ski or snowshoe the many miles of trails. As animals forage for food, they will leave tracks in the snow; develop your skills at wildlife track identification during a naturalist-guided interpretive program.
The Park’s habitats attract many species of transient, migrant and resident nesting songbirds. Wetlands and forests teem with warblers starting in late April and through the summer. Osprey and Bald Eagle can be observed fishing, and abundant waterfowl and wading birds visit the lakes, ponds and wetlands.
Keep an eye out for new additions to nature’s families. Fawns, bear cubs, fox pups, fish fry, fledgling birds, tadpoles and wigglers can all be found by the patient observer. Visit one of the beaver impoundments early in the morning to catch a glimpse of swimming beaver; listen for a beaver tail slap on the water.
Red and sugar maples along with tulip poplar are some of the trees that contribute to a spectacular display of fall colors. Follow the 1.5-mile interpretive trail and learn about native trees, shrubs, and vines. Visit the butterfly garden to look for Common Buckeye and migrating Monarch or sit along the field edges to witness the Green Darner migration. This is a good time to launch a canoe or kayak into the waters throughout the park. As the season progresses, the weeds and grasses that once blocked views from the water start to die off, opening up new vantage points for watching wildlife.
|
|
|