Splitrock Reservoir, Farny State Park, Rockaway, NJ
A great beginner hike with some rolling hills to get the heart rate up.
Parking: 40.962611,-74.457665 Split Rock Rd, Rockaway Township, NJ. The lot is actually a few hundred feet past these coordinates and is obvious once you see it.
Miles: 9.5-10
Hours: 5-7
What I took:
Parking: 40.962611,-74.457665 Split Rock Rd, Rockaway Township, NJ. The lot is actually a few hundred feet past these coordinates and is obvious once you see it.
Miles: 9.5-10
Hours: 5-7
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| This lot is on your right after you pass the coordinates noted above |
- daypack
- 3L of water
- lunch, snacks
- first aid
- tape
- knife
- bug repellent
- compass
- map - New York New Jersey Trail Conference #125
- hiking boots or trail running shoes
- NO COTTON - Why no cotton? Cotton is a thicker material and isn't as breathable as synthetic materials. Once it's wet, it becomes heavier and takes longer to dry.
This was a small group hike with my most frequented hiking group on Meetup.com: Tri-State Outdoors Group. I joined a few years ago and have met several great people who love hiking. I have been on many meetups and have become good friends with the group's organizer and founder. I now schedule my own hikes and meetups within this group.
Begin your hike by heading back in the direction you came on the gravel road. The Blue Splitrock Loop trail will be on your left. Take this trail all the way up the east side of the reservoir. The terrain will rise and fall, nothing difficult, but a good workout.
After a few miles and conferring with the map, there is a scenic point off trail. On your right you will notice a depression in the brush and a small piece of blue plastic tied to a tree. Take this right and descend a bit into a rocky pass. You will want to scramble up the rocks just to your right; once atop these rocks there will be a large boulder that you will want to pass on your left - the scenic view is just beyond. Its not great but it is an open view.
Head back to the trail and continue northbound; you will soon rejoin the shoreline of the reservoir on a woods road. Continue on this road until it splits, bearing right to stay on the blue trail.
Continuing on the Blue Splitrock Reservoir Loop trail, you will cross over another unmarked trail or woods road a few minutes down the line.
Proceeding forward for another mile or so, you will reach the intersection of an Orange trail. Make a left here and descend shortly before coming to a nice spot along the shore to break for lunch. While we sat and ate a few kayakers paddled by and chatted with us.
After lunch, stay on the Orange trail for a few miles as you make your way to the northern tip of the reservoir. You will reach the end of the Orange trail, marked by 3 Orange trail blazes (two on top, one on bottom). At this point, look left and you will spot White trail markers. This white trail will take you back to Split Rock Rd. The terrain is very easy and flat. If you notice a few deep holes on the sides of trail, those are remnants of an old iron mine. Be careful not to fall in!
As you make your way back to the parking lot there will be glimpses of the reservoir through the trees to your left. There are several unmarked roads and trails in this park; be sure to stick to the trails noted here to complete your loop hike.
Split Rock Rd will appear before you as a gravel road. Make a left and walk along the road. Use caution as you approach the newly constructed section of roadway and dam. This is an active road so there may be cars approaching. Stay to the right and be alert. The parking lot is just beyond the construction zone once you cross over the new section of road.
Check out the group page and consider joining to enjoy good company and fun on the trails! Click here
Begin your hike by heading back in the direction you came on the gravel road. The Blue Splitrock Loop trail will be on your left. Take this trail all the way up the east side of the reservoir. The terrain will rise and fall, nothing difficult, but a good workout.
After a few miles and conferring with the map, there is a scenic point off trail. On your right you will notice a depression in the brush and a small piece of blue plastic tied to a tree. Take this right and descend a bit into a rocky pass. You will want to scramble up the rocks just to your right; once atop these rocks there will be a large boulder that you will want to pass on your left - the scenic view is just beyond. Its not great but it is an open view.
Head back to the trail and continue northbound; you will soon rejoin the shoreline of the reservoir on a woods road. Continue on this road until it splits, bearing right to stay on the blue trail.
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| This is looking back at the fork on the woods road. |
Proceeding forward for another mile or so, you will reach the intersection of an Orange trail. Make a left here and descend shortly before coming to a nice spot along the shore to break for lunch. While we sat and ate a few kayakers paddled by and chatted with us.
After lunch, stay on the Orange trail for a few miles as you make your way to the northern tip of the reservoir. You will reach the end of the Orange trail, marked by 3 Orange trail blazes (two on top, one on bottom). At this point, look left and you will spot White trail markers. This white trail will take you back to Split Rock Rd. The terrain is very easy and flat. If you notice a few deep holes on the sides of trail, those are remnants of an old iron mine. Be careful not to fall in!
As you make your way back to the parking lot there will be glimpses of the reservoir through the trees to your left. There are several unmarked roads and trails in this park; be sure to stick to the trails noted here to complete your loop hike.
Split Rock Rd will appear before you as a gravel road. Make a left and walk along the road. Use caution as you approach the newly constructed section of roadway and dam. This is an active road so there may be cars approaching. Stay to the right and be alert. The parking lot is just beyond the construction zone once you cross over the new section of road.
Check out the group page and consider joining to enjoy good company and fun on the trails! Click here
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