Ken Lockwood Gorge Wildlife Management Area Reviews

Set the GPS, then found the place by finally asking for directions. The road in is about one lane wide and is two way, and dead ends. There are a couple of areas wide enough to pull over to allow for cars to pass that are going in the opposite direction. This is worth it. The stream that runs along the gorge is beautiful. This is actually the south branch of the Raritan River. There were people walking, jogging, riding bicycles, and fishing. The path to walk along the river is easy. The path also connects with the Columbia Trial. Beautiful, colorful scenery, great for photography. This was my first visit, this will not be my last visit.

I have been fishing and hiking here since I was a kid, and although it has changed, it is still as beautiful as it ever was. If I could design a trout stream, this would be it. Large boulders, clear clean water, and a great flow with nice runs and eddys for the trout to hide. I recently saw a bald eagle flying along the tree line looking for breakfast. It is easy to get there from most of NJ, and if you're lucky, you can catch dinner. If you're not into fishing, the Columbia Trail runs through The Gorge and it is a nice hike, with spectacular scenery and awesome views of the river. This is the place to take anyone who doesn't know the "real" New Jersey, and only sees our state from The Turnpike. There is wheelchair access from the parking area, and you can even fish from the platform provided.

Visited this place for the first time with my wife. we hiked for about a mile and half and had to turn back as we were short of time. however i got the distinct feeling that there is so much more to see in this place. we started off from the south side columbia trial and there were many fly fishers on our route and it was nice to watch them peacefully enjoying their hobby. the fall foliage was beautiful and there were many photo ops which we thoroughly enjoyed. Saw many cyclists there which gave us the idea to return to this place again and go cycling. All in all a very enjoyable hike and my only regret is that we did not start earlier in the day so that we could have more time to explore the place. anyways lesson learned and hope to be back soon.

This is a nice place to hike, bike and fly fish. It is a very level walk along a beautiful creek, there are many fly fisherman casting along the water. We were there on a wonderful day, the weather was perfect so it made for a very relaxing time.

Great place to fish, hike or bike along a beautiful shaded creek. It is an easy diversion if you are cycling on the Columbia Trail and want more great sights and cooler temperatures!

The gorge is a picturesque spot and attracts many fly fishermen/women. Due to an influx in out of town visitors who have recently discovered this “hidden gem” the accessibility to the gorge has been closed and barricaded by local police for over a month. Sadly, this inaccessibility also extends to locals who reside along the gorge and access the gorge daily for recreational purposes such as fishing, biking, and running.

This area is part of a larger expanse of preserved land in the area. The Ken Lockwood Gorge and neighboring Lake Solitude are not state parks. As such, there are no garbage receptacles here and no public restrooms. Please practice common courtesy and respect before you relieve yourself on the trail or in the yards of locals, block driveway access, and litter in yards. Picking fruit and flowers from personal gardens or wandering onto the property of others is also strongly discouraged.

The waters of the gorge and Lake Solitude are not for swimming. Although it may be tempting on a hot day, the waters are primarily used for trout fishing. There are signs posted that denote this everywhere.

I highly recommend a visit to the gorge for individuals and families who enjoy biking, walking, and respecting nature. For those who intend to come to take a dip in the water, drink alcohol (and subsequently smash glass bottles on paths that bicyclists and dogs access), and litter I would highly recommend traveling elsewhere or perhaps, just stay at home.

A fine little Gorge. Went in winter, it was a rivery, icy wonderland. Highly recommended from a British farmer.

I tried to go here recently but Google maps screwed me up! I went here many years ago and was recently bored and decided to go back again . Wanted to take my dog for a walk. I wasn't positive about ho to get there so I asked GOOGLE! It sent me down a dead end road just after Vorhees High School. NO parking, no entrance! Nada! Zilch! Anyway it is worth the trip but do not trust your GPS.

This is one of the most beautiful places we go to for day trips from Brooklyn. It's about a 1 1/2 hour drive straight west on 78 (out of Staten Island or from the Holland Tunnel if you are driving from Manhattan).

The gorge brings you along a stream that is absolutely bucolic. Even in January we have seen people fly fishing here. It's quiet to the point of being meditative.. There is a long walk that can take you for about an hour along the stream. It is so west in NJ that the terrain is essentially the hilly/mountainous look I associate with Pennsylvania.

We have mainly been here in the fall and winter. Only caveat: One time the walkway was so covered with ice that we could not walk on it.

What a great place along the South Branch of the Raritan River to walk, bicycle and enjoy the freshness of the air, the ruling river and peaceful sounds that go along with all that. You can Fly Fish and just enjoy some of the wildlife that is there.

Some breathtaking views. Didn't expect this 20 mins from my house. Love it. Peaceful. No garbage cans though. So be prepared to carry out what you take in. I don't get it but a lot of people just leave their dog poop bags tied up on the side of the trail. When people do that (as a dog owner) that concerns me because then we won't be welcome back with our dogs. We took our poop home with us!

Take the time to traverse both the WMA and walk further downstream to Lake Solitude and the beauty of the south branch of the Raritan River. It's also a great biking trail. With the fall weather and the leaves changing this area is beautiful.
Living locally I've done this a number of times, even after the road was closed to auto traffic.
You can also continue by car to Clinton, walk by the dam and lake there and enjoy the town.
In the opposite direction go up river to Califon either along the river or on the parallel Columbia Trail.
Either way it's worth the effort to visit all these areas!

My son and I started out on the Columbia Trail, which is parallel to the Gorge, it was a hot and humid day, we could hear this Gorge on the left and further along the hike on the right, we kept waiting for a proper path to the Gorge, but at the 4 Mile post, decided to go down an embankment, a bit steep, but still manageable.Wow, after a long 4 mile hike, in the humidity, what a treat for all your senses, cool running water, over Rocks and Boulders, giving us a refreshing cool breeze and a magnificent sight to see and photograph, it certainly made the 4 mile trek back much less tiring. Just beautiful. The Columbia Trail was a nice walk, paved grounds, but the Gorge was absolutely invigorating! You do not have to walk the same path we took, there is parking at the beginning and at the end of the Gorge, do yourself a favor and check it out. Walking along the Gorge will leave a lasting impression.

I live at the entrance to the Ken Lockwood Gorge in NJ. The gorge is currently CLOSED until further notice due to Covid furloughs. Please stay home! There are physical barriers and caution blocking the entrance. The traffic in front of our house is horrendous.

We enjoyed a 6 mile hike along the Columbia Trail - beautiful and serene - you can hear the south branch raritan river throughout the walk. We also stopped and contributed to the cute gnome and pixie houses along the way.

I've gone bicycle riding with a friend on the trail through the Gorge a number of times. It's easy riding and easy hiking (always see some hikers), and also just right for a casual walk. Nothing really strenuous.

It's beautiful and tranquil in the Gorge on a nice summer day. Lots of good photo opportunities. The trail through the Gorge runs parallel in spots to the Columbia Trail, which we start on in High Bridge, and then after about a mile detour to the left to pick up the trail for the Gorge (you have to be careful, especially on a bike, going down the incline from the Columbia Trail to the Gorge trail).

This is definitely worth a visit if you want to enjoy some great scenery.

Super ! Biked the Columbia Trail, which goes through Ken Lockwood Gorge. Started in High Bridge and biked to Califon. Saw dozens of gnome homes. I guess there is a local tradition to leave gnome homes along the trail; some were simple, others elaboarate. Stopped and ate salmonberries along the trail. There were plenty of very steep paths to the gorge -- looked dangerous, but not to teenagers. Plenty of places to stop and climb rocks. The interpretative signs were fascinating -- train derailment over the gorge in the late 1800s, story of how Califon got its name (named California, but the sign maker ran out of room on the sign), etc. Califon was interesting and had nice places to lunch. The bicycle path was completely flat -- another bonus when bicycling with kids.

Went here for the first time this past weekend with my dog and had a wonderful time. We ran into lots of friendly families and hikers enjoying the weather, lots of people splashing around in the water. The flow of the water is very gentle and for the most part very shallow. There were a couple spots were an adult could wade in to their waist. We never made it to an actual "gorge" per se but the hike was lovely and we spent a lot of time in the water. Can't wait to go back!!

This is a no miss place.It is always pretty.Easy walk along the water and one can go as far or as close as one wants.The last part of the way is not clearly marked so watch out.

The South Branch of the Raritan River is at its finest as it tumbles through the Gorge. This is a great (and very popular) location with hikers, runners, dog walkers, cyclists, and fly fishermen. With good reason. It's peaceful, beautiful, and easily accessible. You can be forgiven if you lose track and think you're somewhere in New England.