Trail Overview

This is the Forked River Mountain Summit Trail, giving you the easiest route to the very scenic summit of the Forked River Mountains. Most of the trail has been recently maintained by the forestry service filling in most of the major mud ruts and water holes, making the trail much more easily accessible. The beginning of the trail is right off Route 539 and continues on all dirt roads up to the summit where an old forest fire tower used to stand. Just past that is a dead end where you can park and see for miles over the landscape. The view is quite amazing for New Jersey; you can see the hangers at Lakehurst Naval Base and even the shore, making it a great place to have lunch or just hang out. It's a little over 5 miles up to the top and a quick roundtrip will probably take you about an hour and a half.

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Difficulty

The trail has the potential for deep water holes or puddles after a lot of rain. There are some spots where there is mud and ruts, as well as some sandy areas. Towards the end, there is about a 7% grade to get to the summit.

Technical Rating

Blair Elzenbeck

Sep 22, 2025

Open

Very dry and dusty conditions. Picked up a garbage bag full of litter and debris at for kid Mountain Summit from weekend parties. Best thing was no bugs!

Ayden Vogel

Sep 19, 2025

Open

Fun ride beautiful view

Chris Ambrosino

Sep 14, 2025

Open

Dany Lourenco

Sep 07, 2025

Open

Blair Elzenbeck

Sep 05, 2025

Open

No bugs ,windy at Summit. met county officials driving a side-by-side checking out the trails at the summit.

Steve P.

Aug 31, 2025

Open

Nice trail, all puddles are dried up. Great view from the top!

Vladimir Grebinsky

Aug 16, 2025

Open

Valerie S

Jun 20, 2025

Open

We went out in this trail for the first time Friday the 20th, and couldn’t get to the top. Due to the recent fires, there were piles of downed, burnt trees purposely blocking the trail. The first obstruction we tried clearing, which only brought us to three more large piles. Not sure if we went “the wrong way” but I followed the map on onX off-road and it led me to this.

Adam Rodrigues

May 11, 2025

Open

Made it all the way to the summit. I wasn't sure if the trail would be open knowing there was a fire in the area recently. It was interesting to see that the trail / road almost acted as a fire break with charred trees on one side and everything green on the other. Nothing crazy to report: it looked very similar to the last time I ran this trail in the fall with various ruts, pot holes, bumps, soft sand from time to time and a couple of muddy puddles. Made it the whole way in 2Hi in my Wrangler Sport. Great view from the summit.

Amber Gugel

Mar 08, 2025

Open

Pretty easy to get to the summit, nice trail for easy riding! Branches can get a little tight and some ruts. All in all a good trail.

Vladimir Grebinsky

Mar 01, 2025

Open

Robert Colwell

Feb 04, 2025

Open

Nice cruise starting off relatively dry and flat. Some whoops and light puddles with a few deep rutted mushy spots do to the thaw but never needed 4 wheel drive. Low clearance vehicles i wouldn't recommend. Nice view up top today.

DAVID BARKER

Jan 05, 2025

Open

Jim P

Dec 15, 2024

Open

Mostly wide dirt road with some washboard sections. Not a lot of rain this fall so the water holes were mostly less than 6” but with ice around. One section with a bit of sand.

Dino Zulu

Nov 09, 2024

Open

Very easy trail, 2H is completely suitable. Extremely dusty due to month long drought. Some pockets of deep sand where 2H could struggle if you loose momentum. Some parts are filled with ruts where asphalt condition tire pressure and 10mph travel can be uncomfortable. Recommend slightly airing down for comfort. Only spent 30 min on it since I was passing by and in the area. Will definitely comeback for full length and side areas.