NJ State Park Series: Round Valley Recreation Area

This is the first part of a series that will pay homage to the beautiful state parks of New Jersey.  The parks I will be profiling are just a small part of the more than 80 plus sites that make up the NJ State Parks System. 

The New Jersey State Parks system was founded in 1923 and today consists of 89 locations across the state, this is made up of a range of state parks (30), state forest (11), recreation areas (5), state marinas (5), and historical sites (38). The smallest state park is Barnegat Lighthouse State Park (23 acres) that includes the historical Barnegat Lighthouse,  also known as Old Barney. If you drive west from Old Barney, you will shortly hit the largest state forest in NJ Wharton State Forest (115,000 acres). Wharton State Forest also includes one of the most unique habitats, the historical Pine Lands also known as the Pine Barrens.  This area of NJ is said to be the home of the famous Jersey Devil. 

Round Valley Recreation Area in Hunterdon County is one of my favorite sites in New Jersey.   Round Valley was founded in 1960 when the water authority dammed off the valley to create a reservoir to supply water for central New Jersey.  When you first approach the reservoir, the first thing that hits you is its size. The reservoir reaches 180 feet deep and contains 55 billion gallons of water when it is full.  The reservoir is filled by water from the South Branch of the Raritan River. The reservoir is open to boating and fishing as well as kayaking and paddleboarding. 

Although the reservoir may look serene and unintimidating, please be careful when you are on the water and follow all required life jacket laws.  I have been out on Round Valley kayaking and have experienced white caps. It is important that you keep an eye out for the wind warning lights. The water is cold and deep and can be dangerous.  In Mid-August, if you submerge below 6-8 feet, the water temperature drops quickly. Once boatside, on a sunny day you can see down to 20 feet plus. 

Amazing sights and views are not only below the water at Round Valley, they can also be above your head. The last time I was on the water, I had the pleasure of watching a bald eagle hunt for fish. The park also has a network or trails that are open to hiking, trail running and mountain biking.  You can also use the trails to access the wilderness campsites. Other than backpacking, the only other way to access the campsite is from the water. 

Round Valley is the first NJ State Park I started to explore as a child.  This park is where I began to learn about the park system and it instilled in me a love for our parks.  If you are looking for a great place to spend the day that is not too difficult to access, Round Valley is a great place to visit for the whole family. 

Website: Round Valley Recreation Area