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Add as a preferred sourceFarny State Park is a 4,866-acre state park in Rockaway Township, Morris County, and one of the wildest corners of the Rockaway area. It is an undeveloped park of oak forest, streams and swamps, with no visitor center or beach, crossed by hiking trails and an old logging road. It sits right next to Split Rock Reservoir, and together they anchor the hiking area known as the Farny Highlands. Here is how to visit.
Farny State Park at a glance
- Address: 420 Split Rock Road, Rockaway, NJ 07866.
- Size: 4,866 acres in Rockaway Township.
- Operated by: the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry.
- Hours: gate open sunrise to sunset.
- Fee: none.
- Phone: 973-962-2240 (the state park office listed for Farny).
- Facilities: trails and a small parking area at Split Rock Reservoir. There are no trash cans, so carry out what you carry in.
Where Farny State Park is
Farny State Park lies in the wooded highlands of Rockaway Township, near the Kinnelon border. The main public entry is at Split Rock Reservoir. From Interstate 80 Exit 37, take Green Pond Road north about 6.4 miles, turn right onto Upper Hibernia Road, opposite the Marcella Community Club, then left onto Split Rock Road. Follow it about 1 mile to the one-lane crossing over the dam, and the parking area is on the left just past the dam.
Parking at Farny State Park
The dirt lot just past the Split Rock Reservoir dam holds about 25 cars and doubles as the trailhead and boat launch. Parking along Split Rock Road is allowed only in that lot, and cars left elsewhere on the road can be ticketed. Hikers headed for the Hawk Watch side of the Farny Highlands can also use the parking areas along Upper Hibernia Road in the neighboring Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area.
Farny State Park trails
The state says trail entry into Farny State Park is through the Farny Natural Area, a 589-acre area next to Split Rock Reservoir with a mature forest of red, white and black oaks. That forest is habitat for the endangered red-shouldered hawk and the threatened barred owl, which makes it one of the park’s best birdwatching areas.
- Four Birds Trail (white): a long trail of about 20 miles through the Farny Highlands, named for the variety of wildlife along the way. A segment crosses Farny State Park.
- Split Rock Loop Trail (blue): a loop over rocky ridges near the reservoir. The Trail Conference’s 3.6-mile Split Rock South Loop links it with the Four Birds and Wildcat Ridge trails and is rated moderate.
- Timberbrook Trail: shown on the state’s Farny area map along with the Four Birds Trail.
- Hawk Watch: reached from Upper Hibernia Road in Wildcat Ridge, this open rock ledge has a panoramic view over the Rockaway Valley.
The Trail Conference has posted re-blazing and reroutes on several Farny trails, including a Four Birds reroute around a dam at Timberbrook Pond, so carry a current Trail Conference Jersey Highlands map or app.
What are the Farny Highlands?
The Farny Highlands is the name hikers use for the forested ridges around Rockaway Township and its neighbors in northern Morris County. Farny State Park sits in the central part of this area and connects watershed lands. The trail network links Farny State Park, Split Rock Reservoir, Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area and Newark’s Pequannock Watershed. Note that the state’s map marks the Newark Watershed lands as permit required, and nearby Camp Lewis as restricted access, so stay on public land and posted trails.
Farny State Park and Split Rock Reservoir
Farny State Park and Split Rock Reservoir are neighbors and are often visited together. The state gives Farny’s address as 420 Split Rock Road, the same address Rockaway Township lists for the reservoir, and notes that the car-top boat launch for the reservoir sits within the adjacent Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area. Boat motors are limited to electric, fishing is from boats only, and anglers 16 and older need a New Jersey fishing license. See our Split Rock Reservoir guide for boating and fishing rules, directions and the history of the Split Rock Furnace below the dam.
Farny State Park rules
- Pets: allowed on a leash no longer than six feet, under control. Clean up after them.
- Swimming and ice skating: not permitted anywhere in the park.
- Fishing: from boats only. Shoreline fishing is not permitted inside the park.
- Hunting: sections of the park are open to hunting in season under NJ Fish and Wildlife rules. Sunday hunting is not permitted in state parks. Wear bright colors in the fall.
- Not allowed: alcohol, smoking or vaping, and ATVs.
- Trash: there are no trash cans. Carry everything out.
- Bears and ticks: black bears live here. Never feed or approach one, and report an aggressive bear to 1-877-WARN-DEP. Use repellent and check for ticks after your hike.
Rockaway Township’s own listing for the park adds birdwatching, cross-country skiing in winter and ice fishing among the activities. Conditions change, so check with the park office before you go.
More outdoors near Rockaway
For other places to get outside, see our guide to lakes in Rockaway NJ and our list of things to do in Rockaway NJ. Our Rockaway Township guide has links to Township parks and services.
Farny State Park FAQ
Where is Farny State Park?
Farny State Park is in Rockaway Township, Morris County, NJ. The state lists its address as 420 Split Rock Road, Rockaway, NJ 07866, at Split Rock Reservoir.
Is there a fee at Farny State Park?
No. There is no entrance fee, and the gate is open sunrise to sunset.
Where do you park for Farny State Park?
Use the dirt lot just past the Split Rock Reservoir dam on Split Rock Road. Parking elsewhere on Split Rock Road is not allowed. Upper Hibernia Road has parking for the Wildcat Ridge and Hawk Watch side.
Are dogs allowed at Farny State Park?
Yes, on a leash no longer than six feet and under control.
Can you swim at Farny State Park?
No. Swimming and ice skating are not permitted anywhere in the park.
What is the Farny Highlands?
The Farny Highlands is the forested ridge country of northern Morris County that includes Farny State Park, Split Rock Reservoir, Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area and nearby watershed lands, linked by trails like the Four Birds Trail.
Top photo: A wooded swamp in Farny State Park, Rockaway Township. Photo: bill-now / Wikimedia Commons (Panoramio), CC BY-SA 3.0.
