Kittatinny Valley State Park

General Information

Glacial lakes, limestone outcroppings, former railroads, and a small airport are features of Kittatinny Valley State Park (KVSP). Lake Aeroflex and Gardner's Pond form part of the headwaters of the Pequest River and are excellent for fishing and boating. This scenic property is home to a variety of wildlife such as whitetail deer, wild turkey, a variety of songbirds, beaver, muskrats, and squirrels. KVSP is also home to the Bulldog Rump, one of the H2H races put on by Team Bulldog.

Google Map

{{#display_map:|center= 41.013498, -74.744627 |zoom=13|static=yes|height= 400px|width= 800px|fusiontables=1dsUD-rEy3U3teN1WEzYV0t8zDfMIKCLaiVrHoMg}}

41.016321, -74.744063 Goodale Road Parking Lot Directions

40.999464, -74.747071 Sussex Branch Rail Trail/206 Lot Directions

41.011893, -74.744627 Twin Lakes Parking Area Directions

Details and Info

Miles: 11

Difficulty: Beginner, Intermediate

Trails: Singletrack, Doubletrack, Fire Road

Surface: Dirt (hardpack, mud)

Obstacles:

Special Features: Bridges

Detailed Overview: Low on vertical, a few log piles, some bigger rocks, but mostly half-exposed shale-like rocks, but nothing that would constiture a rock "garden". Generally little elevation aside from The Needle climb.

Park Website: New Jersey DEP Parks & Forestry

Trails

Needle Side

Trail Name	Blaze	Distance	Description
Green	Green	N/A	Part of the "lower needle" section; mostly single track, not very technical
Blue	Blue	N/A	Part of the "lower needle" section; mostly single track, a short, loose climb on a mostly shale trail followed by a nice flowy section of twisties.
Yellow	Yellow	N/A	the first leg of the fabled "needle climb"; starts with a steep, loose climb that contiues with a less steep, less loose climb up to the step
Red	Red	N/A	the second leg of the "needle climb"; not as loose or steep as part one but it still goes up. At the top it crosses the fire road (see the beloved needle!) and heads down. Fast, flowy and not all too technical.

Main Park

Trail Name	Blaze	Distance	Description
White	White	N/A	Starts from the parking lot on Goodale Road; the section is also called "switch" for reasons that will be very clear when you enter it; one of the longer trails in the park that winds around to the "fisherman's path" section which runs along the lake. Consists of a moderate climb at the beginning, some double track, some single track downhills and a fireroad section that leads to the twisty fisherman's path. Clipping a bar in this section is almost mandatory.
Red	Red	N/A	If the park has any "techical" trails, this is one of them. It features three short, steep rocky climbs as well as a loop up and around the "horseshoe". This section of trail is typically used in the race.
Barely Legal	White Square	N/A	This formely "rogue" trail now appears to be legal and is blazed. It is one of the more fun trails in the park as it winds around large rock out croppings and is 100% single track. A little speed in this section keeps things interesting. Make sure you duck under the downed tree.
Blue	Blue	N/A	The other "technical" trail. With a three moderately steep climbs, the trail has enough rocks to keep things interesting. This trail has also been used in the race in the past.

Routes

Complete Park Tour GPS Link via rider Chris26er

KVSP Fun/Training Loop GPS Link via rider Daily_Minefield

Reviews

Extensive 8 mile network of singletrack trails. 3 miles of park roads. 2.5 miles of flat rail trail passes through the core of the park. All trails offer a seemingly endless variety of loop and out and linear ride options.

Discussion, Events, and JORBA

Forum: MTBNJ discussion on KVSP

JORBA Contact: Kris Weber

Bike Shop(s) and Good Eats

Cycle Craft - Andover

698 US Highway 206

Andover, NJ 07821

Located at the intersection of Route 206 and Goodale Road

Sussex Bike & Sport

231 Newton Sparta Road / SC 616 (west bound)

Andover, NJ 07821 |

Located half-way between Newton and Sparta (north of KVSP)

Salt Gastropub

109 US Highway 206

Stanhope, NJ 07874

Leaving the park, head south (left) on Goodale Road to the end. Make a left onto Route 206 South. Salt is on the right/across from ShopRite

Sheridan's Restaurant & Tavern

631 Limecrest Road

Newton, NJ 07860

Leaving the park, head north (right) on Goodale Road. Turn right onto Lake Illif Road and take to end. Turn left onto Limecrest Rd. Sheridan's will be on the left.

Maps

• 

  NJ DEP Rev. 04/2006

• 

  via Bikekinetix

Videos

Kittatinny created by rider warcricket

Pictures

• 

  Lake Aeroflex

• 
•