Deer Park Pond in Allamuchy St. Park - How to get there?
Is the only way to visit this pond to hike in? Are there trails that are well-marked, if so?
I assume there are no roads to/from the pond??
Rebecka Rebecka,
You can drive up to the second parking lot which will bring you about 1.5 - 2 miles closer to the pond. I would highly recommend that you take an SUV or truck if you are going to trek to the second lot because the road is not maintained. From there, I would say its about a 2 - 2.5 mile hike to the pond, but its a fairly flat path and is quite wide. I would say it is also fairly well marked, but its a pretty straight line so you should be good. You will have a great time up there- it is really beautiful. I've seen quite a bit of wildlife so you will be in your element. The sun sets/rises are great from there as well if you are in the mood for some scenery photos. Have fun!!
DISCLAIMER: I am really terrible with distances, so the estimates above may be a bit off!
Happy Homemaker The entrance to Deer Park is located on Route 517 near Mattar's Bistro, there is a sign marking the road. Drive to the last designated parking area and park your car. From there you can walk the dirt road for about 1 - 1/2 miles to the the lake. Beautiful this time of the year.
wondering4Easy to get to and a great hike. If you park in the first lot you can walk the dirt road to the 2nd parking lot which is maybe a mile prob a bit less. From there you continue straight as it turns into more of a hiking path. You will see it branch off into other trails but as long as you take the main route (always going straight) it is easy to get to the pond. I'm thinking it's about another mile from the 2nd lot so 2 miles total. It's not bad. I have heard there are a lot of bears back there though. Only time i did it by myself was in the winter. Bring a map, Allamuchy SP can be a bit confusing.
Bryan 
I've hiked through some of the trails there (eventually I'll get them all) and I've attached the a photo showing the GPS tracks for the main ones.
The first parking lot (lower left "P" symbol" is easy to get to with any vehicle.
The second parking lot, as others have mentioned, is probably better reached in a truck. Honestly, I have seen many regular cars at the second lot, though. The road isn't "that" bad... I'd say it would really only be impossible in a low sports car.
Taking the main path to the pond is easy, and it's a nice hike if you go all the way around. I think there's just one intersection where you have to turn left (you can see the sharp turn on the GPS track west of the pond.
Mark Mc. By the way,if you have a Garmin GPS I can send you the .GDB file of these trails to import via the MapSource utility.
We've been to Deer Path Park many times. Turn on Rt. 517 across from Mattars. As previous posts mention there are two parking lots. 1st is for cars and probably a 2.5 hour hike to the pond. The 2nd parking lot (off to the left...dirt road) is only suitable for trucks or SUV's and is 1 lane. There isn't a place to turn around so hopefully you won't find another vehicle coming the other direction. If you park at the 2nd lot, it'll take you about an hour to hike to the pond. There are trails but I've never left the main "road". The pond (more like a lake) is beautiful! Maybe you'll see the swans or the cave? At the end there is a dam with a sign (should be part of Weird NJ) "20 Ton Weight Limit" It always seemed like a bizarre place for this sign not to mention the huge weight limit.
There are BEARS and did encounter one last year. I wouldn't go without my dog. Period. The entire walk is extremely isolated and you'll sense it with every step.
Still, it's a beautiful place and we'll go again & again.
cmd 2nd lot is no problem with any non sports car. Follow the old road to the pond. easy cheesy, fairly scenic hike. 1/2 hour from the 2nd lot if your slow.
DEANSANG if you go to the dam there used to be a house there years ago but it burnt down. i think it was by the cluster of pine trees. deere park was my back yard play ground growing up b/c our farm bordered the park.
Hi Rebecka: I've hiked there many times. Not sure if they are plowing the roads to the 1st parking lot or not but I would love to come with you! Give me a call. Haven't seen you in a while!!
Iris Hirsch The house is still there, interesting to explore, has been state owned for several years.
Easy walk/hike/snoeshoe in on fireroad -please don't walk in cross country ski tracks! :)
More scenic hike from white trail out of the first parking lot.
Biked/run/skied hiked here often solo for many years, nothing to ever worry about except hunters (bears could care less).
If the isolation bothers ya, just let the constant hum of rt 80 remind you that civilization is still a bit too close
asaph Great on a mt bike as well. On the backside you can come out to Rt 80 by the overlook. Two trails head down to Waterloo Rd by the concert field. Heard from a park ranger Deer Park has more ticks then other parks. His words not mine.
TheHazGuy asaph- the house on the other side of the damm burnt down many many many years ago. maybe your thinking of the house by the second parking lot. one of the rangers lived there for a long time.
I always wondered what the story was with the house by the second lot. I walked around it once and peeked inside... kinda creepy feeling, like someone/something could still be living in there and jump out when you least expect it.
The ticks there can be very bad, but if you stick to the trail that shouldn't be an issue (especially now!!)
Thank you all SO much for this info -- very, very helpful. I do have an SUV and an AWD truck, so I'll definitely be able to make the 2nd parking lot, although I think I'll wait 'til some of this snow melts! Iris -- let's go! Had no idea you were a hiker. Anyone else up for a hiking / photography trip when the weather is a bit better?? I've always wanted to find this pond (lake) but couldn't figure out how to get there.
Marc Mc. - I do have a Garmin GPS. You use it for hiking? I didn't know that was possible, actually. Mine is just a vehicle one, although I have seen the pedestrian setting, I assume that's what you use. I thought I had to buy a hiking-specific GPS (it's on my wish list).
oldman To all you hikers of Deer Park. Keep in mind that you should keep plenty of water when hiking those trails. And try and keep track of which trail you are on. I have become turned around in the park on ocassion. Also a little side note that the Forest Fire Service is scheduling a prescribe burn in the park come spring time that will really clean up the park and open more areas to explore.
This is just a little friendly reminder and info for you all..
Happy Hiking.
P.S. There is also a small cave about half way to the second gate on the left side of the main road. It does look like something big may be living in there though so I wouldn't advise exploring too far into it.
Woodsman - the cave is on the drive-able road? Or on the hiking path?
(Who wants to go spelunking? J/K...)
Rebecka- Let's go....LOL Do you know if bears sleep soundly?
You know I would be up for a hike with you and take some photos. Too bad we didn't have a snowmobile we could go today :) However, I do have a Jeep they are pretty good in snow
I can't believe I have never been to this place. This is a must. I wish I had warmer boots. I really need to invest in some and stop buying these cheap ones where your toes are ice in 5 min
nosila I'm not a hunter and I don't know if it is currently hunting season, but be aware: hunting IS allowed in the park! I've come across many hunters with bows and guns; I always wear bright orange shirt and/or hat when running or hiking there.
jd4020, yes thanks was thinking they meant the little "dammed" pond by the ranger house. Do you know of any existing photos of the old house on the lake?
Friendly Woodsman, the cave visible from the fireroad is just a shallow opening. Nice cool air in the summer! No critters. Seriously everyone, the wilderness is not out to get you! This park is small and easily navigated. The only unmarked sections are short singletrack cut offs for cyclists that will bring you back to the White trail.
It's the northern section of Allamuchy State Forest, on the other side of 80, that can be more challenging (and more technical mt biking!) Relics of the Rutherford Stuyvesant estate and elk/deer/pheasant game park (hence the name) can be found throughout both sections. The old pipes crossing the white trail at DP were part of an irrigation system for the estate. Even more interesting relics can be found in the North part!
If you know where to look for it, by the Rt 80 overlook is a giant storm drain that runs under 80. It's big enough to ride a bike through, and it connects to the Boy Scout Camp and their trails. We had a pretty sweet 40 mile ride that we would do starting from the first lot. I sure do miss riding up there, and hope to hit it when I visit this summer. And I did have a bear encounter on the trail one day. He was picking berries and I just about ran into him coming around a blind corner. He ran off into the woods after that while my heart rate tripled! LOL
Rebecka: Just let me know when you want to go. I am usually always available since I'm not working anymore. And...I just bought snow shoes!! Am exhausted now, took me 3 hours to plow and shovel driveway this morning. As usual, Howie is in California for 2 weeks.
Shredder: technically Boy Scout trails are private. Access for them happened once a year for the 24 hour race (since canceled), and a new Mt bike weekend event in the summer.
So it's use your own discretion of course , but in the rare event you encounter someone there you could find yourself in a "no trespassing" situation..bummer!
sorry i dont have any pictures of the house that burnt. nosila- the cross country skiers get very angry if you snowmobile over there tacks. we used to trail ride up there at night years ago, not bothering a soul and the skiers complained about it. you would think they would like the snow a little packed down. anyway here are some other cool things about the park.
when you first pull into deere park there is a driveway about a quarter mile in on your left and up there is teddy roosevelt old hunting lodge. he used to take the train to the allamuchy station and then go up to his lodge. he used to hunt there and what is now panther vally. also at one point there were more miles of maintained road in the park then there was in all of allamuchy. a guy named harold france used to maintain them. in the winter time he used to drive around in there and feed the deer hay. if you hike down by the mt by allamuchy pond there are a lot of cool old carvings on the trees from people you hiked the trails along time ago. imo the park is not what it used to be. now the horse people think they own the place and most of them are very rude, just my opinion. sorry if things are misspelled but its been a long two days.
thanks for the info, never knew that!
I don't mind the snow packed, but then again I usually use short track skis. That hill from the 2nd house gets nice and fast in the tire tracks!
Rebeka - Regarding the GPS I use a hand held Garmin eTrex Vista. It's specifically made for hiking, not really full time vehicle use (although you can put all kinds of maps on it as well).
If you are checking out the "Bear Cave" that's about 1/8 to 1/4 mile down the trail from the 2nd parking lot, you can grab a geocache that's hidden there ;)
Here's the cache, with a link to some pictures of the "cave".
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=24c48d70-9cad-4a94-8b9f-6e1b1e3a3da1
First, that is not a "Cave" on the left side, it is a Mine. There is also a mine complex to the left of the shortcut trail from the first parking lot to the Yellow trail. Another issue is an occasional Bear. Bears are very timid and will not bother you. Matter of fact they are extremely wary and hard to photograph because of the shyness. However they know what canines are and will defend themselves against a dog. Dogs are NOT protection and are best left out of the park. Unless you have one large enough to take on an average size 450 pound bear. Hunting seasons vary it is best to wear at least one piece of optic orange when hiking. Both Allamuchy South and North are remote and empty areas and are not patrolled. You need to have the proper respect for trail conditions and if hiking alone never carry food and it is best not to sit down. Also it is best to overdress in winter and carry a means to make a fire and always carry water. Allamuchy North is much more rugged and emptier (If possible) than the South side. I hike this park regularly averaging 3-4 times a week year around and it is an exceptional piece of wilderness right on out doorstep... Enjoy but be safe. For Pictures Google "WGHIKER ALLAMUCHY".
Wghiker Wghiker - no need to use an admonishing tone. No idea where that came from. We are not children who need to be scolded, or lectured about bears. Anyone from this area already knows what you posted.
On a more positive note - anyone want to do a hike to the pond sometime soon? :-)
I agree with Rebecka... I'm well aware it's not actually a cave, so that's why I had the name in quotes - the geocache placed there is called "Bear Cave Cache", I'm sure just because it looks like a cave as you approach it.
As far as bears, I don't believe I've seen any in Deer Park, but I have come across them in Kittatinny as well as just down the street from me and in the woods around my parents house in Budd Lake. My 25 pound dog would just be a snack for an angry bear, but my 20 oz. can of bear spray may do a better job if they get a little too "curious" around me. They usually are not a problem, and always seem to just mind their own business or walk the other way.
I would like to go for a hike soon but I'll probably wait until we get a nice sunny day that's a few degrees warmer than it is right now to enjoy it more ;)
Dogs will generally scare away black bears unless there are cubs around; if so your dog might get sliced and diced. In warmer weather I would be concerned over catching lyme disease as the dear tick is all over the larger parks in this area (people and more so dogs). So maybe now is a good time to let the dogs loose, but check the hunting schedule. A good rule of thumb is to go on Sundays when hunting is not allowed.
iJay Even bow and arrow?, which, I believe now is legal now on Sundays too. That's what I've heard; anyone know for sure?
Jams Hi Rebecka: I'm up for a hike! What's the weather supposed to be like next week? I wanted to get your opinion about a camera too. I want to get a new one for our trip to New Zealand. Give me a call. P.S. My 14 lb dog chased a bear out of our yard last year. Stupid dog could of gotten kicked into the woods however...his bark is enough to scare anyone off!
Bow season is allowed on Sundays now but not in state parks. The only places that are open to bow hunting on Sundays are private property and wildlife management areas.
I have seen bears up in deer park plenty of times. Just because you don't seem them doesn't mean they aren't there. I am only trying to help people out, not "school them," I would hate to go out and do a search for missing or injured people at night as I have done a few times in that area.
Also just a reminder that the New Jersey Forest Fire Service will be conducting a Prescribe burn up in the park sometime within the next few weeks.
Friendly Woodsman Thank you Woodsman. Never sure on all those hunting laws!
My daughter rescued some lost hikers last year when she was mountaint biking there. She knows that park like the back of her hand!
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