Jenny Jump State Forest
Encyclopedia
Jenny Jump State Forest is a state park
in the U.S. state
of New Jersey
operated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
's Division of Parks and Forestry
. It is 4,239 acres (17 km²) in area, located in northwestern New Jersey, in northern Warren County
, south of Hope Township
, on the northwest flank and south end of 1112 feet (338.9 m) Jenny Jump Mountain — a 6 miles (10 km) long ridge.
The park has extensive hiking
trails on the mountainside, featuring large glacial
boulders and outcroppings from the Wisconsin glaciation
approximately 21,000 years ago.
It is said that the park was named after an Indian chasing a girl named Jenny, who jumped to her death on Jenny Jump Mountain.
is open for public stargazing on Saturday nights April through October.. There are several other observatories located at Jenny Jump, including the Brady which houses a 178MM Refractor and a solar observatory. The area is used by many amateur astro photographers as Jenny Jump has some of the darkest skies in New Jersey.
The park has camping
facilities April to October, and shelters available all year long.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
operated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is a government agency in the U.S. state of New Jersey that is responsible for managing the state's natural resources and addressing issues related to pollution...
's Division of Parks and Forestry
New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry
The New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry is responsible for the management and operation of New Jersey's 42 parks, 11 forests and 3 recreation areas, as well as for the more than 50 historic sites and districts...
. It is 4,239 acres (17 km²) in area, located in northwestern New Jersey, in northern Warren County
Warren County, New Jersey
Warren County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 108,692. Its county seat is Belvidere...
, south of Hope Township
Hope Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,891 people, 697 households, and 538 families residing in the township. The population density was 102.2 people per square mile . There were 747 housing units at an average density of 40.4 per square mile...
, on the northwest flank and south end of 1112 feet (338.9 m) Jenny Jump Mountain — a 6 miles (10 km) long ridge.
The park has extensive hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
trails on the mountainside, featuring large glacial
Glacier
A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...
boulders and outcroppings from the Wisconsin glaciation
Wisconsin glaciation
The last glacial period was the most recent glacial period within the current ice age occurring during the last years of the Pleistocene, from approximately 110,000 to 10,000 years ago....
approximately 21,000 years ago.
It is said that the park was named after an Indian chasing a girl named Jenny, who jumped to her death on Jenny Jump Mountain.
Facilities
The park grounds include the Greenwood Observatory, built by the United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey (UACNJ) in 1995. The observatoryObservatory
An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geology, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed...
is open for public stargazing on Saturday nights April through October.. There are several other observatories located at Jenny Jump, including the Brady which houses a 178MM Refractor and a solar observatory. The area is used by many amateur astro photographers as Jenny Jump has some of the darkest skies in New Jersey.
The park has camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
facilities April to October, and shelters available all year long.