Hurd Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Hurd Park is a popular destination in New Jersey, known for its scenic beauty and recreational activities.


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Summary

The park covers an area of 227 acres and features a variety of outdoor amenities, such as hiking and biking trails, fishing ponds, picnic areas, and playgrounds. It is situated in the town of Dover, Morris County, and is easily accessible from nearby highways.

One of the main attractions of Hurd Park is its natural beauty, with lush forests, rolling hills, and scenic views of the surrounding countryside. Visitors can enjoy hiking or biking on the many trails that wind through the park, exploring the diverse flora and fauna of the area. The park is also home to several fishing ponds, which are stocked with a variety of freshwater fish, including bass, catfish, and trout.

Another highlight of Hurd Park is its recreational facilities, which include several picnic areas with grills, playgrounds for children, and sports fields for soccer, baseball, and volleyball. The park is a popular spot for family outings, birthday parties, and community events, with ample space for large groups to gather and enjoy the great outdoors.

Interesting facts about Hurd Park include its history as a former dairy farm, which was purchased by the town of Dover in the 1960s and converted into a public park. The park is named after the Hurd family, who were early settlers in the area and played an important role in the development of Morris County. Today, Hurd Park is maintained by the town of Dover and is a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike.

The best time of year to visit Hurd Park depends on personal preference and the desired activities. The park is open year-round and offers different sights and experiences in each season. Spring and summer are ideal for hiking, biking, and outdoor sports, while fall is a popular time to enjoy the changing leaves and fall foliage. Winter brings opportunities for ice skating and cross-country skiing, weather permitting. Overall, Hurd Park is a beautiful and enjoyable destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, with something to offer in every season.

       

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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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