Morristown National Historical Park to Open More Grounds, Trails This Wednesday

Posted Monday, June 22nd, 2020

Summer Hours Begin; Restroom Facilities Available

Beginning Wednesday, Morristown National Historical Park will reopen access to Fort Nonsense Area, expand parking to 100% capacity, open the entire Tour Road at Jockey Hollow to vehicles and begin summer hours, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily.

Picnicking and large group activities remain restricted.

Permanent restroom facilities in Jockey Hollow will be closed; however, portable restroom units will be available for public use.

The National Park Service  is working service wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. The increased recreational access at the park is occurring using a phased approach on a park-by-park basis following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities.

When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, including the latest public safety recreation regulations in the state of New Jersey.’

On June 24th, the following will open for recreation in accordance with state guidance from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily:

• All five Jockey Hollow Area parking lots (Visitor Center, Wick House, Soldier Huts, New York Brigade and Trail Center)
• New Jersey Brigade/Cross Estate Area parking lot will be increased to 100% parking capacity.
• Jockey Hollow Tour Road
• Soldier Huts
• All 27 miles of hiking trails
• Equestrian trail use (5 trailer spaces at the visitor center parking lot only)

Appropriate recreation includes such activities as:

• walking
• hiking
• running
• bicycling

Prohibited activities include:

• large group gatherings and activities
• picnicking

Parking will be restricted to the park’s surface parking lots only.

Additionally, the following areas will remain closed in this phase:

• Western Avenue Park Access Gate (at Jockey Hollow Road) will be closed to vehicular access (Tempe Wick Road Main entravoidnce is the only vehicle entrance into Jockey Hollow)
• Jockey Hollow Visitor Center
• New York Brigade Comfort Station
• Wick House and herb garden
• Washington’s Headquarters Area: Ford Mansion and Washington’s HQ Museum (grounds and parking lots are open for passive recreation)

“Since May 20th visitors have safely enjoyed the park’s grounds, roads and trails and as we lead into school vacation and the July 4th holiday weekend, we hope the public will continue to take advantage of the great outdoors,” said Tom Ross, superintendent of Morristown NHP.

Visitors are asked to follow social distancing practices at all times. Many of the park’s hiking trails are narrow, so strongly healthy hiking etiquette encourages  yielding to other hikers in wider trail spots and turning your face away as you pass. Additionally, park vehicles in designated parking spaces, practice Leave No Trace principles (carry in-carry out trash) and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.

“We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and work spaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers,” Ross said.

For updates, visit www.nps.gov/morr or Facebook and Instagram using our social media handle: @morristownnps. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Learn more about the collections at http://morristownnhpmuseum.blogspot.com/.