Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area is a large tract of land in multiple Morris County municipalities. Once the site of a large iron mine, Wildcat Ridge is now home to multiple interesting sites, including mine openings and a large reservoir in Splitrock Reservoir. The terrain is rugged at times, especially in the area of the Hibernia Mine. Wildcat Ridge is great for experienced hikers looking for somewhere less popular to hike, or kayakers wanting to experience as scenic lake.
Explore North Jersey Review: Unique sites highlighted by mine remnants and Splitrock Reservoir
Basic Information
Parking:
- Green Pond Road:
- Meriden Road: (pull-off for 2-3 cars)
- Upper Hibernia Road:
- Splitrock Reservoir:
Restrooms: Yes-portable toilets at Splitrock Reservoir
Activities:
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Kayaking/Canoeing (no motorized boats or paddleboards allowed)
Points of Interest
- Hibernia Mine/Bat Cave
- Hawk Watch
- Saint Patrick’s Cemetery
- Splitrock Reservoir
Alerts
- Splitrock Reservoir is located on a long dirt road. Most cars should be fine if coming from the area of Rockaway Valley Road (Denville and Boonton area). The road is in worse shape coming from Green Pond Road (Rockaway area), but most cars should still be able to make it if driving cautiously.
- Splitrock Reservoir has limited parking at fills up on nice days. There is no alternate parking, and cars parked along Splitrock Road will be ticketed.
- Paddleboards are not permitted at Splitrock Reservoir because the reservoir is a drinking water supply, and there are concerns about paddleboarders swimming.
- Wildcat Ridge is a wildlife management area. These lands are typically used for hunting. Use caution during hunting season. Additionally, passive recreation such as hiking is not the priority for these lands. Expect poorly maintained trails.
Hiking
Wildcat Ridge has many miles of hiking trails, bringing you to all the sites in the park. Many trails are also used by mountain bikers, so use caution on hills and corners. There are many woods roads and unmaintained trails throughout the property, so make sure you use a map.
Mountain Biking
Many trails are actively maintained for mountain biking by the Jersey Off Road Bicycle Association. For information on mountain biking, please visit their page.
Fishing/Hunting.
Fishers can fish from boats launched onto Splitrock Reservoir. Shoreline fishing is not allowed.
Wildcat Ridge is a wildlife management area, and as such, it is designated for hunting.
Mines
Wildcat Ridge was once the home to a large mine known as the Hibernia Mine. The remnants of this mine can be seen all over the park, but it is best experienced from the large entrance near the Green Pond Road parking area. This area is also known as the Bat Cave due to the historically large population of bats living in it. Unfortunately, the bat population has sharply decreased as a result of the White Nose Fungus. There is no access into the mine itself to protect the bats, but visitors are still able to see the entrance and feel the cool air rushing out.
Despite being a major mine at one point, the site is relatively unknown today and does not receive many visitors.
Saint Patrick’s Cemetery
Saint Patrick’s Cemetery is a small cemetery in the middle of Wildcat Ridge featuring headstones from centuries ago.
As with the Hibernia Mine, the cemetery is relatively unknown and is not on any official trails. Despite this, it is relativity easy to get to and it is clear that some local do maintain the cemetery.
Hawk Watch
The Hawk Watch is an overlook and an excellent location to bird watch. You will often find many visitors looking for hawks or simply relaxing at the overlook.
Splitrock Reservoir
Splitrock Reservoir is a large reservoir open for car-top boats (kayaks and canoes), fishing, and hiking. The reservoir is used by Jersey City as a drinking water source. As such access is restricted and no swimming is allowed.
Boaters are welcome to use the floating dock to launch kayaks and canoes, but they are required to carry their boats a few hundred feet down to the water from the parking area. The reservoir is long and features many islands, especially the further from the boat launch you go.
Hikers are able to complete a 10-mile loop around the reservoir.
Despite being in Morris County and relatively close to major population areas, Splitrock Reservoir feels pretty removed from civilization. The main parking area is a few miles down a dirt road void of any development other than the reservoir’s dam.
Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area Pages:
Gallery
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