Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Directions
Take I-287 South to Exit 36 (County Route 510/Morris Avenue). Continue ahead past the first traffic light, proceed past the Morristown railroad station, then turn right onto Morris Street. At the next intersection, bear left, then turn right onto East Park Place, passing the Morristown Green on the left. Turn left at the following intersection onto North Park Place, then turn right onto Washington Street. (In each case, follow signs for County Route 510 West). In 4.0 miles, after passing a pedestrian crossing with a blinking light, turn right onto Tingley Road. In 0.7 mile, turn left onto East Main Street and proceed for 0.2 mile to the parking area for Dismal Harmony Natural Area, on the right.
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Parking and trailhead (Patriots’ Path), 27 East Main Street, Brookside, NJ 07926 – GPS Coordinates: 40.795867, -74.560134
Access is also available from small parking areas at the intersection of Washington Valley and Tingley Roads; at the end of the paved portion of Stoney Hill Road, and at the sharp bend in Woodland Terrace,
Park Overview
It would be hard to think of a more inapt name for this beautiful nature preserve -- one of the nicest places to hike in Morris County. It is anything but "dismal"! You can stroll along a cascading brook for over a mile and climb to an unusually shaped boulder.
Trail Overview
The park contains a 1.4-mile section of the Patriots' Path, as well as a 1.2-mile-long yellow-blazed trail, with a spur that leads to Legend Rock. The trails can be combined to form a 2.6-mile-long lollipop loop.
Use the Web Map link on this site to view a trail map. Click for a detailed description of a hike in the park. For hikes emphasizing photos, click at Gone Hikin' (2013) and Dan Balogh (2011).