Stempert Road, Frankford and Hampton Townships, NJ
Phone: (973) 383-0918
www.njfishandwildlife.org/wmas.htm
NJ Department of Envrionmental Protection
Turn Right out of driveway. After 0.5 miles turn Right at stop sign onto CR 521 North. After 2.7 miles turn Left at stop sign onto CR 521 North. After 0.9 miles, when the road splits, stay to the Right for CR 633 North. After 2.8 miles turn Left at the traffic light onto CR 655 North/Morris Turnpike. After 0.5 miles turn Left onto Stempert Road. After 0.3 miles the road will turn to dirt; proceed to parking area. Map
The Stempert Road parking area provides access to the most easily traversed location at the WMA; however, there are also small gravel parking areas for access on U.S. Route 206 on the southbound side and Kemah Lake Road. Note: there are not yet marked trails at this site, so particularly adventurous hikers should consider bringing a compass or GPS unit. Be aware of hunting seasons, and wear appropriate blaze orange colors, or better yet, visit on Sundays when hunting is prohibited. The habitat lends itself to black bear and sightings are most common from spring to fall, so be sure to review the rules of bear etiquette.
The easiest walking area is from the Stempert Road access. There is a series of old woodland roads that traverse this section of the WMA, referred to as Culvermere. Although this is a relatively easy in/out trail, a GPS would be useful for extensive exploration since the trails are not marked. This section of the WMA provides a medley of habitat--successional growth forest, freshwater wetlands and open water.
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| Broad-winged Hawk | Kevin Karlson |
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| | This sizeable 2,906-acre WMA is part of the significant Kittatinny Forest--an important greenway extending from the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to High Point State Park. Its oak, beech and maple forest provides habitat for endangered and threatened species including Northern Goshawk, Barred Owl and bobcat. Amazingly for this region, the forest shows little impact from both invasive plant species and the surrounding deer population.
the "getting away from it all" experience this site readily provides. Although civilization is only a few minutes away, just a few steps into this healthy woodland habitat is like being whisked away to another time and place.
Several woodland roads radiate off of the Stempert Road parking area. These roads are level and are ideal for those looking to explore a wintry landscape by cross country skis or snowshoes. Move along quietly to possibly catch a glimpse of white-tailed deer, red fox, coyote or rabbit. Hardy winter birds like Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creeper, woodpeckers and finches should enliven the passage through the woods.
The forest comes alive in springtime. As bird migration peaks, any number of warblers, vireos, tanagers, grosbeaks, flycatchers and thrushes can be heard and seen. As waterbodies thaw, ducks and other waterfowl become evident. Mammals increase activity and young are being born. Look out, as bear cubs will accompany the sow starting in March. The abundant understory of ferns and wildflowers pops out, bringing the promise of summer butterflies.
Breeding birds, although not as vocal as in the spring, are feeding young. This is a great area for butterflies and dragonflies. The Stempert Road access eventually leads to a large body of water that has many species of dragonflies and damselflies. Common sightings include Ebony Jewelwing, Common Green Darner, Eastern Pondhawk, Widow Skimmer, Twelve-potted Skimmer and Blue Dasher. Continue to be wary of black bears with cubs and be sure to use protection against the abundance of mosquitoes and black flies.
Bird migration is taking place so keep looking up for hawks that use updrafts along the neigboring Kittatinny Ridge to assist their southbound journey. Red-tailed or Broad-winged Hawks are a possibility. Mammals are actively feeding in preparation for winter or hoarding food stores. This is a great time to take a walk in the woods and observe these wildlife preparations.
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