Hike a loop through the heart of Jockey Hollow from Wick House to the soldier’s huts, and explore a scenic brook.
4.1 or 2.9 miles, total round trip. Surface is dirt and roots, some rocks. Minor rolling hills.
| 4.1 miles | This hike guide: Detailed instructions and photos follow below. |
| Shorter | 2.9 – Skip the RED (Primrose) trail. Noted in the description below. |
| Same park | Jockey Hollow – Grand Loop Trail from a different trailhead. |
| Nearby | Great Swamp NWR; Great Swamp – Blue Trail; Great Swamp – Orange Trail; Black River County Park – Cooper Mill; Kay’s Cottage Ruins. |
Our two cents:
Jockey Hollow is part of Morristown National Historical Park. Hike with history while exploring a loop around the center of the park from Wick House and farm to the recreated soldier’s huts.
The Continental Army quartered here on two occasions: the winter of 1777 and again during the winter of 1779-1780.
New Jersey played a important role in the American Revolution and there are similar historical places to hike such as Washington Crossing State Park, Monmouth Battlefield, and Princeton Battlefield.
Bonus: No-hunting park.
Hike Info:
Map/Books:
Print ahead, or get a trail map for $1 from the visitor center. Follow along on your smartphone with our Interactive Map link above.
A different, longer route in Jockey Hollow appears in Best Day Hikes in New Jersey.
Parking: N40.76140° W74.54237°
“Jockey Hollow Visitor Center Parking, Morristown, NJ 07960“. Large paved lot.
Note: The street address of the park is 586 Tempe Wick Rd, Morristown, NJ 07960 but apps/GPS may direct the long way around though the back entrance.
If approaching Rt 287 N take exit 30B (Bernardsville), R onto Route 202 North, L on Tempe Wick Road (Route 646); follow the brown and white park signs to “Jockey Hollow”. This leads to the main entrance and visitor center accessed from Tempe Wick Road.
Restrooms:
Inside the visitor center, the restroom can be accessed from inside or around the right side of the building.
Also at the New York Brigade Trail parking lot in the middle of the park, which is not passed on this hike but halfway through you’re somewhat near it.
Hike Directions:
Overview: YELLOW – RED (Primrose Brook) – YELLOW
From the parking lot, follow the paved path to the visitor center. Enter and take a look at the displays before leaving out the back door, or go around on the right side.
0.0 – From the back of the visitor center, walk towards Wick House and Farm.
Henry Wick and his family lived in this house next to a 1,400-acre farm. General Arthur St. Clair made his headquarters here during the 1779–80 encampment.
Continue past Wick House, walking towards the corner of the forest.
0.2 – Start following YELLOW at the edge of the forest. It also picks up just a bit down the road.
0.6 – GREEN (Aqueduct) trail crosses over YELLOW.
1.2 – Continue as YELLOW crosses the Grand Parade paved road to interpretive signage, with the soldier’s Huts in the distance. Continue across to the field to the solider huts.
These huts are replicas that show what Washington’s Army would have stayed in while wintering in Morristown from December 1779 to June 1780. Rows of huts housed 2000 soldiers.
Some of the huts are divided in two sections, and others are one larger open room.
The open huts can be entered. Bunks line either side of the cramped hut with a fireplace in the middle.
The huts sit on a slight hill and overlooks the field below. Even in winter conditions, the soldiers continued to have drills, guard duty, and inspections here.
Continue on YELLOW as it goes past and behind the Soldier’s huts. Eventually cross the Grand Parade paved road again.
1.9 – YELLOW arrives at the Trail Center parking lot in the center of the park. Cross the park road to now follow RED (Primrose Brook).
//Shorter option: Skip RED entirely and instead walk through the parking area to the continuation of YELLOW, following it back to the parking lot, from 3.3 below. //
Follow RED (Primrose Brook) as it meanders next to a scenic brook, which is crossed a few times on rocks. Mid-way is a ‘short loop’ sign which can be used to head back sooner.
2.4 – RED (Primrose Brook) crosses over WHITE (Grand Loop), then again in just a bit when RED (Primrose Brook) turns to loop back.
3.3 – RED (Primrose Brook) eventually returns to the other end of Trail Center parking lot. Now follow YELLOW once again.
3.7 – YELLOW turns to the right and runs along the back of Wick Farm. Pass ORANGE on the right.
3.9 – Once out of the forest, turn LEFT towards Wick House to the visitor center and parking lot.
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Hiked: 12/16/23.
Hiked: 12/06/15. Variation. Trail Blog: “Yellow, Aqueduct Loop, Primrose Brook“.