Old Beach Glen, Denville, NJ 07834

(For driving / GPS address)

Hours of Operation / Fall and Winter Activities / History / No Smoking Policy

The trails over the 555.97 acres have been developed in connection with POWWW, Protect Our Wetlands, Water, and Woods. On the trails, enjoy hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and bird watching. The section of Jonathan’s Woods familiar to most area residents is of historic significance and known as the Hogpen. This is a natural U-shaped enclosure of rocks that was used as a seasonal animal shelter long before the American Revolution.

Fall and Winter Activities:

Hiking and wildlife viewing are the favorite fall activities at this facility. When the snow falls, you can enjoy the brisk winter weather by cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

History:

During the Revolutionary War, from mid-November through January 1780, food was scarce for George Washington’s Continental Army residing in the area. While most settlers in nearby farms generously contributed New Jersey’s required quota for troop food and supplies, they needed to feed their own families as well. To avoid the marauding troops, local farmers resorted to removing their livestock from farmyard view, and hid them out of sight in the Hogpen, keeping the animals safe from the pilfering and plundering soldiers.

According to Jean Ricker, a local historian, “Indian Jonathan, who made his first recorded appearance in Munsell’s 1882 History of Morris County, and for whom the adjoining woods are named, sometimes wintered in the creamery of the James Miller house still standing at the intersection of Valley and Rockaway Valley Roads.” Another legend mentions that four Hessian soldiers were imprisoned here during the Revolutionary War.

Hours of Operation:

Jonathan’s Woods is open daily Sunrise to Sunset throughout the year.

No Smoking Policy

The Morris County Park Commission has recently announced a No Smoking Policy banning all smoking including burning of, inhaling from, exhaling the smoke from or the possession of a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or any other matter of substance which contains tobacco or any other matter that can be smoked, or the inhaling or exhaling of smoke or vapor from an electronic smoking device. CLICK HERE for more details. Thank you for your continued support!