Morristown National Historical Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Morristown National Historical Park is located in Morris County, New Jersey and is a popular destination for visitors interested in history and nature.


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Summary

The park commemorates the sites of General George Washington and the Continental Army's winter encampments of 1777 and 1779-80, as well as significant Revolutionary War battles and events.

One of the main reasons to visit Morristown National Historical Park is to learn about the important role it played in the American Revolution. Visitors can explore the various historic sites and museums that are located within the park grounds, including the Ford Mansion, which served as Washington's headquarters during the winter of 1779-80. Other points of interest include the Jockey Hollow Visitor Center, the Wick House, and the New Jersey Brigade Encampment Site.

In addition to its historical significance, the park is also known for its beautiful natural surroundings and offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, bird-watching, and picnicking. The park's trails and scenic views are particularly popular, with Jockey Hollow offering over 27 miles of hiking trails.

Interesting facts about Morristown National Historical Park include the fact that it is a designated National Historic Landmark and that it is home to several rare and endangered species of plants and animals. Additionally, the park was the first national historic park established in the United States in 1933.

The best time of year to visit Morristown National Historical Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its peak. However, the park is open year-round, so visitors can enjoy its beauty and history at any time of the year.

       

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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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