The Underrated Silas Condict County Park

Silas Condict County Park is a moderately sized 1,513-acre park in Kinnelon Borough in Morris County. The park is highlighted by a scenic and moderately challenging hike along the White Trail, which takes hikers past multiple overlooks, through a “cave tunnel,” and features a scenic pond at the beginning and end of the hike. Continue reading to learn all about this relatively unknown park in northern Morris County.

Background

Silas Condict County Park is named after local Morris County politician and Revolutionary War veteran Silas Condict. In 1926, John Cantry Senior bought the property and constructed a dam, creating the present-day Cantry’s Lake, which is named after him. In 1933, Cantry constructed a speakeasy known as the “Casino.” Later that year, the 21st Amendment was passed, repealing prohibition. The speakeasy remained in operation though until 1938.

The park is characteristic of most parks in the New Jersey Highlands and features many rolling, yet rocky hills. The Highlands span from the Pennsylvania border just south of Phillipsburg to northern Passaic County. The mountains of the Highlands are most prominent in Morris and Passaic Counties.

The Hike

Begin the hike in the last parking area in the park before the entrance road loops back. Beginning here allows convenient return to your car at the end of the hike.

The hike is moderately difficult due to numerous rocky hills. None of the hills are particularly large, but they are frequent. Expect to be going up and down a lot.

The White Trail

From the parking area, walk towards Cantry’s Lake while remaining on the park entrance road. Walk through the parking area you drove through to enter, and in the back right of the parking area, you will find a kiosk and the start of the White Trail. Almost immediately you will come across a bench overlooking Cantry’s Lake. Unfortunately, the view is mostly blocked by trees.

The first part of the White Trail enters and exits a gravel road multiple times so pay attention to the obvious trail markings. You will soon reach an annoyingly steep descent on the gravel road. At the end of the road, the White Trail leaves the road for the last time, and you will remain on a natural hiking trail for the rest of the hike.

The next part of the White Trail features frequent but small ascents and descents. The trail here is not particularly difficult, but it is rocky at times. After about three-quarters of a mile, you will reach another kiosk, this time for the start of the Yellow Trail. The Yellow Trail is an easier bypass trail that avoids the most significant climbs of the hike, but also all the interesting sites, such as the overlooks and cave tunnel.

Continue on the White Trail, which gradually winds its way up and down the hillside until you reach the cave tunnel.

Cave Tunnel

The “cave tunnel” is a glacial erratic that was formed when the expanding Wisconsin Glacier moved and relocated rocks and sometimes large boulders over Northern New Jersey. The cave tunnel was formed when a large pieces of bedrock were upended and relocated to create a natural tunnel.

The tunnel itself is about 5 feet high and is slanted. Most people will likely need to crouch and may need to use their hands to keep balance as they will likely need to lean to the right to pass through.

There is a bypass option available for those who prefer not to use the tunnel.

Overlooks

Following the cave tunnel, you will begin the most significant climb of the hike. As with the previous ascents, it is not particularly long, and you only gain about a hundred feet in elevation. Along the way, you will be greeted with a handful of overlooks. None of these overlooks are particularly obvious or marked, but they are easy to find whenever the trail passes over a bald section of exposed bedrock.

After the overlooks, the trail begins to once again gradually work its way downhill. You will soon reach an intersection with the Yellow Trail, which crosses over the White Trail. As with the previous encounter with the Yellow Trail, the trail is a bypass that misses the final view of the White Trail.

Continue on the White Trail, once again climbing up a small hill. At the top you will be greeted with a small log bench and a view to the north. This view is partially overgrown, but it is still possible to get a good view of the rolling hills of the New Jersey Highlands.

From the overlook, the trail begins with a small set of switchbacks to bring you back down. The trail once again passes the Yellow Trail, and as done previously, you will want to remain on the White Trail. The final section of the trail features a few rocky ascents and descents before ending at Cantry’s Lake.

Cantry’s Lake

At the end of the White Trail, there is a short gravel road to the Cantry’s Lake dam. Feel free to take the road for scenic views of the dam, as well as the Casino.

Once done taking in the view, return to the end of the White Trail and follow the gravel road past the softball field and the Casino back to the parking area.

The Blue Trail

You can end your hike at the parking area, but there is another quick and worthwhile overlook that can be reached from the Blue Trail. Begin the Blue Trail from the picnic area. Unlike the White Trail, the Blue Trail follows a gravel road for its entirety.

The trail begins relatively level, but does climb a short hill towards the end. The trail dead-ends at a bench with views to the north. You can hear Route 23 below, but it is not visible from the overlook.

From the overlook, return down the Blue Trail back to the parking area.

GPS Route

Attached is the route as described above for reference. Additionally users can download the route to use on their preferred GPS. How to use the GPS routes on your phone.