Fort Mott State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Fort Mott State Park is situated in Pennsville Township, New Jersey, and is named after Major General Gershom Mott.


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Summary

The park is noted for its rich history, beautiful scenery, and varied recreational opportunities. Some of the reasons to visit Fort Mott State Park are hiking, birdwatching, and exploring the history of the fortifications. Visitors can view the three gun batteries that were constructed to defend the Delaware River during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Additionally, hiking trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds are available in the park.

The park's primary point of interest is Fort Mott itself, which was established in 1896 and expanded in the early 20th century. It was intended to protect the Delaware River from potential foreign attacks. The fort is open for tours and includes an exhibit room that offers a glimpse of life on the fort in the early 1900s. Other points of interest include the Delaware River, which is an excellent spot for fishing and birdwatching.

Interesting facts about Fort Mott State Park include that it was decommissioned in 1943, and the land was transferred to the state of New Jersey in 1947. The park was officially designated as Fort Mott State Park in 1951 and covers 124 acres of land.

The best time of year to visit Fort Mott State Park is in the spring or fall when the weather is mild, and the foliage is beautiful. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy winter activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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