Lord Stirling Park
Directions
From I-287 (traveling south or north) take exit 30A, for N. Maple Ave/Basking Ridge. Follow for approximately 2.8 miles to Lord Stirling Road on your left. Make this left and follow for 1 mile. The Environmental Education Center will be on your left. GPS Coordinates: 40.695308, -74.521066
Park Overview
The park is in the western portion of the Great Swamp Basin adjacent to the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
Trail Overview
Over eight miles of hiking trails loop their way around and through the park, including three miles of boardwalks [handicapped-accessible], two wildlife observation blinds, and two observation towers.
Use Web Map link on this site to view a trail map. Click for a detailed description of a hike in the park.
- An additional 525 acres of the park is set aside as an equestrian area, with no foot traffic allowed.
Park Description
The Somerset County Park Commission Environmental Education Center is located within Lord Stirling Park which encompasses 425 acres. It was originally the location of the estate of William Alexander, the so-called Lord Stirling (whose title was legitimate but was never recognized by Parliament). Alexander served with distinction as an officer in the Revolutionary War. His estate was one of the grandest in the middle colonies.
The variety of habitats consisting of floodplains, swamps, rivers, intermittent streams, marshes, and meadows, together with natural and man-made ponds, fields, and forests provide homes for diverse plant and animal populations in this environmentally sensitive landscape.