Long Pond Ironworks State Park
West Milford
Passaic Co.,
New Jersey
Hiking Trails:
Red Trail: Red blaze
Orange Trail: Orange blaze
Overlook Rock Spur: White/Black
Tapawingo Trail: Blue blaze
Total Time: 2:15 hr
Estimated Distance: 4.8 miles
Pros: Interesting History
Cons: Trails are a mess
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/aGeap73S3MgfdZee9
Jungle Habitat was a short-lived drive-through safari and theme parked owned by Warner Bros. that opened in 1972 and closed in 1976. It's been abandoned ever since, and the property was purchased by the state of New Jersey in 1988. It was subsequently turned into a part of Long Pond Ironworks State Park, with hiking and biking trails added.
Not much is left on the property other than a myriad of trails. However, there are some really cool tunnels at the former entrance, as well as some abandoned gatehouses, former animal enclosures, and ride tracks. There are trails and paths all over the place, and many of the official marked trails used for biking are windy with many annoying switchbacks.
I started at the main parking area, and took the Red Trail to the large open abandoned parking lot. I then took the Orange Trail which goes on the side of the parking lots, but after realizing how windy it is with unnecessary switchbacks (good for biking but annoying for hiking) a ditched the trail and went back to the large empty parking lots, trying to fine the main entrance with the still-existing tunnels. After a few wrong moves turns I found the entrance and tunnels, which was really interesting. I also passed a guard house, the fence behind some former exhibits, and an old single-track rail like.
I couldn't find the new "Tapawingo" Trail recently constructed. It's not on version of the Map yet. I ended up having to bushwhack up to a bike trail, which I then took to the Tapawingo Trail. I admired the view here and then descend through the heart of the former Jungle Habitat property, which I took back to my car.
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| Map of the Route |
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| Airplane at the Greenwood Lake Airport, Right Next to the Former Jungle Habitat Property |
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Entrance and Parking at the Former Jungle Habitat Property
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| Information Sign at the Beginning of the Hike |
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| Updated Maps |
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| Old Road Near the Parking Area |
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| Former Parking Area |
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| Entrance Gate |
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| The Famous Jungle Habitat Tunnels |
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| Entrance Gate |
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| Rail of a Former Ride |
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| Abandoned Former Animal Enclosure |
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| Approaching the View on the Tapawingo Trail Hike |
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| View on the Tapawingo Trail |
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| Former Animal Enclosure |
