Hiking to Musconetcong Gorge Falls

Musconetcong Gorge Falls is an approximately 60-foot waterfall located in Hunterdon County’s Musconetcong Gorge Preserve. A relatively easy 1.4-mile hike takes visitors to Scout Brook, where they first encounter numerous small cascades. A climb to the top of Scout Brook takes you to the top of Musconetcong Falls. While views from the trail are limited, hikers can reach numerous small drops of this large waterfall. While the waterfall is far from one of New Jersey’s top waterfalls, the cascades below still make it a scenic hike.

The Hike

The hike to Musconetcong Gorge Falls is fairly short at just under 1.5 miles. The terrain is generally easy, but there are a couple of unbridged water crossings, and the climb from the bottom of Scout Creek can be considered steep.

The trail doesn’t pass directly by Musconetcong Gorge Falls, but it passes numerous small scenic cascades. Hikers can view the main Musconetcong Gorge Falls by following a short, unmarked trail at the top of Scout Run.

Parking

Parking is available on a switchback on Dennis Road, Bloomsbury, NJ 08804. Dennis Road is a steep, single-lane gravel road. The lower part of the road is occasionally washed out but is usually passable to most vehicles. If you are concerned about a washed-out section, the road from the top is generally better because it is not as steep. The parking area is small and can hold only about 8 cars.

Starting the Hike

From the parking area, two trailheads are available. Locate the Blue Trail, which is next to a large wooden map of the park’s nature trail.

Even though this map is large and obvious, ignore it because it is outdated. It belongs to a nature trail at Musconetcong Gorge that seems to have been scrubbed from the internet. The trail once featured numbered markers corresponding to an informational brochure, but many of those numbers are gone today. I managed to find a guide from 1992 on a now-deleted page, though keep in mind it is over 30 years old.

Follow the Blue Trail, which is clear and easy to follow. A short distance in, you will see the start of the Teal and Orange Trail. Keep right to remain on the Blue Trail. In another short distance, you will reach another fork, this time with the Blue Trail splitting ahead and to the right. It does not matter which direction you take, as the trail reconnects ahead. Turning right is slightly more direct, though.

After the trail reconnects, it soon rises above Scout Run.

At first, the trail is well above Scout Run, but you can see the water below. The trail gradually descends to water level. On this descent, you will see a few random orange blazes. While you will get on the Orange Trail soon, these blazes do not mark the start of the trail.

Keep working your way down the trail until you reach the scenic Scout Run.

Scout Run

Once you reach Scout Run, you will have a few views of some of the lower cascades. Just above the trail, the stream splits, requiring you to cross it three times here alone: once via a bridge and twice by rock hopping.

The cascades here are okay, and the rushing water in every direction is lively, but they are all small, topping out at only about 5 feet. There are numerous cascades, though.

While you will need to cross the stream twice here without a bridge, the crossing is easy, with plenty of rocks to use to avoid the water.

After exploring the cascades, continue on the Blue Trail until you reach an old, washed-out dirt road.

Turn right onto the road. The Blue Trail follows the road and leaves Scout Run. To the right of the road is the Orange Trail. Take the Orange Trail, which follows the water. Views are limited, but a very short side trail offers additional views of small cascades.

After this, continue on the Orange Trail. You will soon reach a small switchback that leads back to the Blue Trail. Just before the switchback, you get another view of Scout Run. A faint, unmarked trail also leads toward Musconetcong Gorge Falls. I recommend staying on the marked trail, as it is easier to reach the falls later.

Once at the Blue Trail, continue uphill. You will not be able to see much of Musconetcong Gorge Falls from the trail, but you can hear it. Soon, you will reach the top of Musconetcong Gorge Falls.

As you are at the top of the waterfall, the view is very limited. To get a better view, follow the trail across Scout Run.

Once across, you will see a small unmarked trail going down the left side of the waterfall. Because of its height and location, you can’t see the entire waterfall at once. Honestly, unless you really want to see the full waterfall, the previous cascades are just as good and much easier to see.

The first view is one of my favorites and does not require a downhill hike:

If you want to see the whole waterfall, work your way down the previously mentioned side trail. Musconetcong Gorge Falls is similar to the smaller cascades seen earlier and consists of numerous small (5-10-foot) drops. However, the distance between them is much shorter, making it feel like one continuous waterfall. These small drops do make the 60.2-foot height seem underwhelming, though.

The Return

Back at the top of Musconetcong Gorge Falls, take the Yellow and Teal Trail back to your car. This trail goes in two directions. To return, do not cross Scout Brook again (no backtracking). The Yellow and Teal Trail gradually leads back to the parking lot.

Just before you reach the parking lot, ending the 1.4-mile hike, you will pass some small foundation ruins. The ruins aren’t large, but they’re a nice way to end the hike.

GPS Route

Review

The hike to Musconetcong Gorge Falls is solidly okay. The main waterfall isn’t very exciting, despite being one of the tallest in the state. Fortunately, the smaller cascades below the waterfall are scenic; just make sure you go when water levels are high, such as in the spring or after heavy rain, as the water can “hide” beneath the many large boulders lining Scout Brook.