The freshwater Black
River briskly cuts its way through rocky Hacklebarney State
Park, cascading around boulders in the hemlock-lined ravine.
Two tributaries, Rinehart and Trout Brooks, also course their
way through this glacial valley, feeding the Black River.
Even in the heat of midsummer, the temperature of Black River
gorge is cool and refreshing.
Today Hacklebarney is a favorite place for
avid anglers, hikers and picnickers, yet in the 19th century
the park was a mined iron ore site. The gushing river against
the grey boulders and dark green hemlocks creates a majestic
beauty in any season.
Three rare and endangered plant species exist
within the park: American ginseng, leatherwood and Virginia
pennywort. Over a hundred bird species and wildlife such as
black bear, woodchuck, deer and fox live in the park.
Horseback riding is not permitted in
the park.
Through the Carry-In/Carry-Out Program you can help us keep the parks clean and beautiful by carrying out the trash you carry in. Please bring a biodegradable bag with you when visiting to take your trash home. Thank you for your cooperation and remember to recycle.
Access for Persons with Disabilities |
Hacklebarney State Park has very limited access for people with disabilities. Only the parking lot and adjacent restrooms can accommodate wheelchairs. Please contact the park office for further information regarding disability access needs. Text telephone (TT) users, call the New Jersey Relay Service at (800) 852-7899.
The park office at Hacklebarney is temporarily closed. Information regarding Hacklebarney State Park can be obtained by contacting Spruce Run Recreation Area at (908) 638-8572.

Visit https://njparksandforests.org/sps_covid.html and follow www.facebook.com/newjerseystateparks for the most recent information on park operations — some amenities may not be available due to COVID-19.
Open daily sunrise to sunset.

HSP COVID reopening map
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Deep in the ravines of Trout and Rinehart Brooks are remote places that one can view the glacial moraine of millennia ago, when an ice sheet covered the region. The rock strewn landscape is all that remains of that major geological event; it is also a place that is endowed with a fascinating history.
It is said that the word Hacklebarney has a Native American derivation. Depending on which source one reads, it may have come from the words haki, meaning “ground” and barney, a variation of bonihen, “to put wood on fire,” or hakiboni, “to put wood on a fire on the ground” or “bonfire.” Other explanations come by way of the area’s iron-mining history. The first concerns an iron mine foreman named Barney Tracey, who was lovingly but persistently heckled by his workmen – hence the name “Heckle” Barney. Another tradition says the name came from the Irish miners and their home village in Cork County. Finally, the land near the Hacklebarney forge may have been owned by a Barney Hackle.
Whatever the origin of its name, we do know that Hacklebarney Memorial State Forest Park Reservation, or Hacklebarney State Park, as it is now called, was established because of the generosity and vision of Adolphe and Sarah Borie. Their vision for Hacklebarney has endured long after their deaths and continues to guide the destiny of the park once described as “the most beautiful park in New Jersey.”
- Peter Osborne, author
Images of America: Hacklebarney and Voorhees State Parks

Hacklebarney State Park Area Map
Hacklebarney
Natural Area (465 acres) |
Eastern hemlock dominates
the cool shady slopes of this ravine and several trails provide
access to this forest and the Black River. Steep ravines along
the Black River and surrounding areas of mixed oak-hardwood
forest and young woodlands comprise this area, which supports
a variety of state endangered and threatened species.
State Park Service areas open to hunting
Tree Stands and Blinds Policy
Hacklebarney State Park Hunting Map
The Black River provides excellent stream fishing year round. During the spring and fall, the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife stocks the Black River with brown, rainbow and brook trout. Anglers have the opportunity to catch fish due to the excellent holdover rate of trout in the river. Hunting is permitted within 628 acres of designated land that is separate from the day-use area. Fishing and hunting are subject to New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife regulations.
Hacklebarney State Park Fishing 2020
The Park staff offer a variety of historical and natural interpretive programs seasonally. Contact the park office for a schedule of programs and to register. Program fees may apply.
Common Mammals of
Spruce Run Recreation Area,
Voorhees & Hacklebarney
State Parks
Common Songbirds of
Spruce Run Recreation Area,
Voorhees & Hacklebarney
State Parks
Special Use Permit Application |
Special Use Permit Application Package
A Special Use Permit is utilized to accommodate a specific activity or event being conducted over a short duration. There are two types of special use permits: Non-Commercial and Commercial and fees are based on NJ residency and Non-residents. A completed application must be submitted to the park/forest area where the activity or event is being held at least 90 days prior to the event. If the special use or event is extremely large or complex, at least one-year’s prior notice is recommended.
Hiking trails in the northern portions of the 465-acre natural area offer breathtaking views of the Black River, which lies deep within a shaded hemlock ravine. Rinehart and Trout Brooks empty into the Black river and several small waterfalls can be seen from the high trails. The diversity of upland and wetland habitats provides excellent birdwatching opportunities, especially during migration, Since the topography of the park is rather rugged, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

• Division
of Fish and Wildlife
FAQ's
(Frequently Asked Questions) |
Are bikes
allowed on the trails? |
Hacklebarney is a hiking only park, no bikes are allowed
on any trails. |
Is there fishing in the park? |
The Black River has excellent trout
fishing, with Brown, Brook, and Rainbow trout abundant.
The Division
of Fish and Wildlife stocks the Black River, please
check with them for dates. The park has two wild trout
streams: Trout Brook and Rinehart Brook. Check with the
Division of Fish
and Wildlife for questions about bag limits and types
of bait allowed. |
Is there hunting in
the park? |
Hunting is allowed on a 620-acre
parcel of land that is separated from the day use area
by the Black River. The hunting area is accessible from
three parking areas on Pottersville Road. Hunting is subject
to Division of
Fish and Wildlife regulations. |
Are dogs allowed in the park? |
Pets are welcome, but must be leashed
at all times. |
Is there swimming within the park? |
There is no swimming allowed at Hacklebarney State Park. |
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