Hiking White Lake Natural Resource Area

White Lake Natural Resource Area is a popular park in Warren County’s Hardwick Township, centered around the lake of the same name. The park is best known for its crystal-clear lake and as a popular destination for kayakers and paddleboarders. Surrounding the lake is a network of well-marked and enjoyable trails that wind through scenic meadows and past historic ruins from the area’s industrial past. Most notable is the massive, historic Icehouse/Marl House, which contains the remnants of an operation that once harvested ice and later marl, which gives the lake its signature clarity.

Background

White Lake is a 69-acre, 44-foot-deep spring-fed lake in Hardwick Township. The lake is one of many sinkhole ponds found in the Ridge and Valley Province of New Jersey. This is because the underlying bedrock is composed of limestone and dolomite, both of which dissolve over time in slightly acidic rainwater. This weathering creates underground cave systems that can collapse into sinkholes, such as the one that formed White Lake. Unlike many sinkhole ponds that are seasonal, White Lake maintains a relatively consistent volume year-round due to steady groundwater recharge.

The lake’s unusually clear water is highly reflective, largely due to its white-colored bottom. The lakebed is composed of marl, a mixture of calcium carbonate derived from mollusk shells and clay. Because the lake is fed primarily by groundwater and rainfall, contamination from runoff is kept to a minimum, further keeping the water clear. On the southwestern shore of the lake are the ruins of the large Marl House. These ruins harvested marl for cement and fertilizer for 30 years, between 1891 and 1921.

The Hike

Parking

Parking can be limited on nice days. The main parking area is located closest to the lake on Stillwater Road at 41.002167, -74.916528. This is a gravel lot holding about 30 cars. Unfortunately, this is also where the popular boat launch is, so it can fill up quickly. Just across the street is a signed overflow parking area holding about twice as many cars.

If you do not want to deal with boat traffic, you can park at a hiker-only lot at 108 Stillwater Rd, Hardwick Township, NJ 07825. This lot holds about 15 cars but is much less popular than the main launch as there are no competing activities. The main guide below follows parking from the main lot, as this is most common, but it is still possible to complete the loop as the hike passes both parking areas.

Starting the Hike

From the main parking area walk across the gravel entrance road and take the wide, mowed trail through the first of multiple meadows.

This short connector trail soon joins the Blue Trail and enters the woods.

Follow this scenic, wooded trail for 0.3 miles until you reach another gravel road. This road leads to a private home owned by Warren County. Turn right onto this road, which is marked with a green blaze.

Follow this road 0.3 miles until you reach a private property notice for the home. Here, the Green Trail leaves the road to the left, and you will also find the Purple Trail’s start. Turn right onto the Purple Trail and follow it for yet another 0.3 miles until you reach the Yellow Ridge and Valley Trail.

Turn right onto the trail, where you will find the first of a series of ruins: a small lime kiln. These kilns can be found all over North Jersey and were used to produce calcium oxide from heating limestone.

Follow the Yellow Trail for about one mile. Along the way, you will pass by two more ruins. The first is a large fireplace and chimney. From your angle, the chimney is a bit hidden. To find it, look to the right when you reach a bench (the only one thus far), and you will find it in the woods.

A short distance past the chimney, still following the Yellow Trail, you will reach by far the most impressive ruins on the hike: the Marl Works. In 1881, the building was constructed to harvest ice in the winter for shipment by train. 1891, the building began to be used to process marl for fertilizer and cement. Marl is the white sediment found at the bottom of the lake.

Unfortunately, in the recent years, the Marl Works have been fenced in.

While limiting, visitors have made herd paths around the fence to access other views of the building, but you can no longer enter it. Note that the trail to the right is much easier to follow.

From the Marl Works, remain on the Yellow Trail for less than a hundred feet until you once again reach the Blue Trail (though you still have a way to go before reaching the parking area again). Turn right onto the Blue Trail. About a quarter mile into the Blue Trail, you will reach the only view of White Lake other than at the immediate start and end of the hike.

After the view, the trail exits the lake again and works its way away from the water and through a meadow.

At the top of the hill, the Blue Trail banks right and reenters the woods. In a short distance, you will cross an old stone wall and reach another fork, with the Blue Trail turning right and the Red Trail beginning left. Both trails connect and are practically the same length (though the Blue is slightly shorter). I recommend turning left here as it is a bit more interesting, passing through yet another meadow and passing an old barn.

The Red Trail soon rejoins the Blue Trail. After the merge, follow the trail about 0.2 miles until you reach the boat launch for White Lake. Here you can appreciate the scenic lake, which is unfortunately out of view for most of the hike.

After taking in the view, return to your car via the boat launch access road.

GPS Route

Review

The trails at White Lake are very nice and worth a visit. The trails are well marked and easy to follow, and there are a few interesting sites along the way, most notably the large Marl House ruins. The only downside is that there are very limited views of White Lake; it is only visible at the immediate start and end, and from one other location with a small view. The vegetation along the lakeshore is dense and fragile, so this is understandable, but it is a bit surprising that the centerpiece of the park is barely visible from the trails surrounding it.