Most of New Jersey’s 19th-century iron works, glass works, and other mill works were built in and around the Pinelands. The sandy soil, pristine aquifer, tremendous forests, and proximity to waterways made the Pine Barrens ideal for industry. That doesn’t mean, though, that the rest of the state was left out! One of New Jersey’s best-kept secrets, Long Pond Ironworks, sits way up north near the NJ-NY border and has been turned into a state park that’s perfect for a day trip.

Long Pond began operations in 1766 - ten full years before the American Revolution! It ran as an ironworks for over 100 years, until it shuttered in 1882 due to a lack of demand and a rapidly changing industry.
Wikimedia Commons / KForce
Many of the buildings that made up this historic community are still standing, including the Old Country Store pictured above.
Three Iron furnaces still stand in this spot, and they date back over 100 years. Long Pond was an important part of American military history, and it produced iron for George Washington's Continental Army as well as forces in 1812 and for the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Wikimedia Commons / KForce

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Today, Long Pond Ironworks State Park is full of gorgeous scenes where nature and history blend together.
Flickr / Hope Abrams
This land was once extensively logged, but the trees have now grown back, and they put on a beautiful display of color in the fall.
If you want to enjoy one of New Jersey's best-kept secrets, plan a day to hike around and explore Long Pond Ironworks State Park.
Flickr / Hope Abrams
You'll find gorgeous scenery in any season, so pick a nice day and get out here to explore!
Views of the Wanaque River, the historic remnants of the crucial industrial site, and carefully maintained and planned paths make this a great spot to spend the day.
Flickr / Glen Kraeck

You can learn more about Long Pond Ironworks before your trip, and you’ll get so much out of your visit by learning about the history ahead of time!

For more beautiful places worth exploring in the Garden State, read About This Unforgettable Road Trip To 6 Of New Jersey’s Least-Visited State Parks.

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Long Pond Ironworks State Park, Ringwood, NJ 07456, USA