Sourland Mountain Preserve

Sourland Mountain Preserve At A Glance...

Huge volcanic boulders line the ridge, from the same ancient rock that formed the Palisades.
On a clear day you can see Manhattan from the top of the pipeline clearing.
The trail to Roaring Brook leads to one of the finest boulder fields in the Northeast.
Todays Sunrise: , Sunset:
New Jersey Skylands Region Somerset County

About Sourland Mountain Preserve

Sourland Mountain Preserve is a big, rugged preserve owned by Somerset County and administered by the Somerset County Park Commission. It provides passive recreational opportunities in an undisturbed natural setting.

The Preserve occupies a portion of the northeast "point" of the Sourland Region, which stretches southwest across Hillsborough and Montgomery Townships through southern Hunterdon and northern Mercer counties to the Delaware River. For central Jersey it is a surprisingly wild place: heavily wooded, rocky, and scattered with huge boulders along the ridge.

The main trailhead on East Mountain Road has a kiosk with trail maps, a portable toilet and a pond with a grassy area for a picnic. The Sourland Mountain Preserve offers several recreational opportunities, including hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, bouldering, and horseback riding. Woodpeckers, bluebirds, tanagers, wrens and chickadees are common, and red and gray fox, deer and even coyote live in the woods.

Activities:
- Equestrian / Horseback
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Jogging / Running
  Trail running
- Mountain Bike
- Picnicking
Amenities:
- Restrooms/Bathrooms
- Parking Lot(s)
- Picnic / Sitting Area
- Benches
Trails:
- Boardwalks
- Some are challenging
- Rugged / Rocky
Park Type:
- County Parks
- Preserve
- Scenic Areas (overlooks/waterfalls)

Contact / Location

Primary Address:

Get Directions East Mountain Rd.,
Hillsborough, New Jersey 08844

Contact:

Website

Trail & Path Info

There are five main trails, about 5.4 miles in all. Maple Flats (1.4 miles) and Tributary (2.5 miles) are the gentler ones, fairly flat but rocky and uneven underfoot. The Ridge Trail (1.4 miles), Devil's Half-Acre (1.75 miles) and Roaring Rocks (1 mile) are the challenging ones, with real climbs, boulder fields and rocky ground. The trails are marked with white geometric shapes and numbered posts, some steep pitches have a handrail, and dozens of wooden walkways carry you over the wet spots.

The Texas Eastern gas pipeline right-of-way runs through the middle of the preserve and doubles as a trail, and on a clear day you can see Manhattan from the top. An extension of the Ridge Trail leads to Roaring Brook and one of the finest boulder fields in the Northeast. Trails get muddy in late winter and during the spring thaw, so wear sturdy boots, and pick up a map at the kiosk since trails change.

Related Groups / Organizations

Below are a few groups that we have connected to Sourland Mountain Preserve. If we are missing any, please let us know

Jersey Off Road Biking Association (JORBA.org)

Nearby Places

Duke Farms is also in Hillsborough, Baldpate Mountain is part of the same Sourland range to the southwest, and mountain bikers can find Sourland Cycles in Hopewell.