Hacklebarney State Park
Directions
Take I-80 West to Exit 27A and proceed south on US 206 for 8.3 miles to Chester. Turn right onto County 513 West (West Main Street) and continue for 1.3 miles, passing the entrance to Cooper Mill Park on the left. After crossing the bridge over the Black River, turn left onto Parker Road, then immediately turn sharply left onto State Park Road. Follow this road, with the Black River on the left, for 1.8 miles, then bear sharply right to continue on State Park Road. Proceed ahead for another 0.6 mile to the park entrance on the left. Follow the entrance road for about 0.2 mile to the main parking area. GPS coordinates: 40.751237, -74.733155.
Park Overview
The Black River courses through a glacial valley which is cool even in mid-summer. Some pathways in the gorge are narrow and rocky, although most of the trails follow gravel or paved roads.
Trail Overview
Hacklebarney State Park has a network of 9 trails, the longest is 1.8 miles, the rest under a mile each -- they total 5 miles. Circuit hikes are possible; use Web Map link on this site. The trails vary in difficulty; the trails along the Black River are narrow and rocky, while the majority of the trails follow gravel or paved roads. The highest elevation on the west side of the Black River is 804 feet.
Park Description
The freshwater Black River cuts its way through rocky Hacklebarney State Park, cascading around boulders in the hemlock-lined ravine. Two tributaries, Rinehart and Trout brooks, also course their way through this glacial valley, feeding the Black River. Even in the heat of midsummer, the temperature of Black River gorge is cool and refreshing. Of the Park's 1186 acres, 465 are dedicated to hiking -- the remainder to hunting in season.