Portion of Sparta Mountain WMA Temporarily Closed to the Public

We do not know a huge amount about the Sparta Mountain WMA. But we have noticed a lot of folks are frustrated with all the logging operations going on in this area. Many have been sharing their frustrations across Facebook and other media... which is great. But it sounds like the state is not happy with some of the closer contact that locals have had and they have closed some of the property...

Portion of Sparta Mountain WMA Temporarily Closed to the Public

In order to protect public safety, New Jersey Fish and Wildlife has closed a 40-acre section of Sparta Mountain Wildlife Management Area and 4,500 feet of trails in the vicinity of Edison Monument to complete a habitat management project requiring tree cutting and heavy equipment. Signs have been posted in the closed areas and New Jersey Conservation Police Officers will be enforcing the closures. The emergency closure is pursuant to N.J.S.A. 23:7-9 and N.J.A.C. 7:25-2.26 and is effective immediately through April 15, 2022.

NJ Fish and Wildlife regrets having to close the area off completely. We had hoped to let the area remain open in the evening and on weekends and only close off the minimum area needed on a particular workday. Unfortunately, spectators, set upon continually entering the work area and disregarding posted signs, have created significant safety concerns. 

The specific area closed is the eastern portion of the Edison Monument parking lot and the trail stemming from that section of the parking lot, and a 40-acre area encompassing the worksite.

Click on the link below to view a map depicting the closed areas. 

https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/NJDEP/2022/03/11/file_attachments/2100954/Sparta Mountain Stand 9 Restricted Access Map.jpg