Mahlon Dickerson Reservation

Park Acreage:

3346 acres

Trail Miles:

20.0 miles

Trail Uses:

Hiking, Mountain biking, Bridle path, X-C skiing, Accessible

Fees:

Some times and places; check with park

GPS:

41.007884, -74.586525

TC maintained

Directions

From Exit 34B on I-80 W, take NJ-15 N for 4.4 miles. Exit to Weldon Road travel 3.1 miles to a right turn into the Saffin Pond Parking Area. GPS Coordinates: 41.007884, -74.586525

Park Overview

Open year-around for hiking the park also offers seasonal camping in the rugged western part of Morris County with old logging roads and blazed trails. Can access the Weldon Brook Wildlife Management Area, the Rockaway WMA and Mount Paul WMA.

Trail Overview

The reservation offers 10 blazed trails, including the Highlands Trail [teal diamond blaze], plus others that follow old logging roads. An attractive hike is the Pine Swamp Loop Trail [white; 3.8 miles] that goes to the edge of the Pine Swamp, a wet area densely covered with spruce, rhododendron and native azalea. Also, the highest point in Morris County at 1280 feet elevation is along this trail. Use Web Map link on this site to locate a trail map.

Several trails lead into the wildlife management areas on either side of the Reservation. Topographical maps of Weldon Brook WMA and Rockaway WMA are available at: Table of Wildlife Management Areas

Click for detailed descriptions of hikes in the reservation. Click for a description of the Highlands Trail segment in the reservation.

Park Description

Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, named after a former New Jersey governor and United States senator, is the largest Morris County park. It is a rugged area pinched between the Rockaway Wildlife Management Area to the east and the Weldon Brook Wildlife Management Area in Sussex County to the west. One of the Reservation's outstanding features is Headley Overlook, one of the highest points in the Morris County Park System. Click to view a trail map of the Mount Paul WMA, which is administered by Kittatinny Valley State Park.

The Reservation is open daily Sunrise to Sunset throughout the year. The Campground Office is open seasonally April 1 to November 30 -- Wednesday to Friday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. for RV sites, tent and lean-to camping [Information: 973-697-3140].