Long Pond Ironworks State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Long Pond Ironworks State Park is a historical site located in West Milford, New Jersey.


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Summary

It was originally a 19th-century iron-making community and has since been preserved as a state park. There are plenty of good reasons to visit the park, including its beautiful natural surroundings, hiking trails, and historical significance.

Some specific points of interest to see include the iron furnace, the village of Long Pond, and the historic Long Pond Ironworks Museum. The park also has several hiking trails, including the Cannonball Trail, which is named after the cannonballs that were made at the ironworks during the American Revolution.

Interesting facts about the area include that the ironworks produced iron for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, and that the ironworks were also used to produce stoves, kettles, and other household items.

The best time of year to visit Long Pond Ironworks State Park is during the summer months, as the park has a swimming area and offers opportunities for fishing and boating. The fall is also a great time to visit, as the foliage is beautiful and the weather is mild.

Overall, Long Pond Ironworks State Park is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history, nature, and outdoor recreation.

       

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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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