Oct 2026: Parts of the park are open to hunting during state hunting seasons. Check the hunting map on the NJ DEP park page and wear bright colors in the fall.
Farny State Park At A Glance...
- The Four Birds Trail is a 19 mile white-blazed route from Hibernia to Route 23, and it crosses the park on the way.
- The Splitrock Loop is 5.5 miles around a reservoir about three miles long that is dotted with large islands.
- Red-shouldered hawks and barred owls, both on New Jersey's at-risk lists, live in the oak forest.
- Todays Sunrise: , Sunset:
- New Jersey Skylands Region Morris County
About Farny State Park
Farny State Park is a block of Highlands woods in Rockaway Township, mostly mixed oak forest with swamp and an old logging road running through it. It sits next to Splitrock Reservoir, a roughly 650 acre reservoir about three miles long with several large islands, which supplies water to Jersey City. Most visits start at the small lot at the dam on Split Rock Road, which sits in the adjoining Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area.
The trails here are the draw. The 5.5 mile blue-blazed Splitrock Loop circles the reservoir, and the white-blazed Four Birds Trail passes through on its 19 mile route from Hibernia to Route 23. Both belong to the Farny Highlands Trail Network, which keeps growing toward 50 miles.
A car-top launch at the dam is the way onto the water. Kayaks, canoes and small boats put in there, motors must be electric, and the reservoir is fished from a boat only, with no shoreline fishing. Bass, catfish, crappie, sunfish and pickerel are in the reservoir. In winter the trails are used for cross-country skiing.
The oak woods are good for birdwatching, and red-shouldered hawks and barred owls both live here. Dogs must be on a six foot leash. Entry is free.
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Activities:
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Paddling - Kayak, Canoe, row boat
- Skiing / Snowboarding
- Walking
Amenities:- Boat launch
- Parking Lot(s)
- Boat launch - Car Top Only
Park Type:- State Parks
Rules/Regulations:- Biking Not Permitted
- Must be Leashed
Contact / Location
Trail & Path Info
The Splitrock Loop is a 5.5 mile loop blazed blue around the reservoir. It joins the white-blazed Four Birds Trail at the north and south ends of the reservoir, and the Four Birds Trail runs 19 miles from Hibernia to Route 23 through Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area, Farny State Park and Newark watershed lands. Together with the other routes of the Farny Highlands Trail Network, about 30 miles are built so far toward a planned 50, with links to the 150 mile Highlands Trail.
The network is for hiking only, with no bikes, horses or motor vehicles, and no camping or open fires. Hikers describe rolling hills, some rocky stretches and creek crossings, and two trip reports put a full loop from the dam lot at roughly 9 to 10 miles when the Splitrock Loop is combined with other routes. Some woods roads are unmarked, so stay on the blazes.
Admission & Guidelines
There is no entrance fee.
Hours / Season of Operation
Open daily, sunrise to sunset.
Parking
A lot at the Splitrock Reservoir dam, at the end of Split Rock Road, holds about 25 vehicles and serves the trailhead and the boat launch. It can fill up in summer. Parking on Split Rock Road is prohibited, and Rockaway Township police ticket cars left on it. Do not block the boat launch.
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Rockaway, New Jersey 07866