Ken Lockwood Gorge
Encyclopedia
Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Hunterdon County is a county located in the western section of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 128,349. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Flemington....
, is an area with some of New Jersey's most pristine scenery. Combine these with some of the state's hottest (85 degree water temps on hot summer days) trout fishing, hiking, cycling and nature watching, and you have all the necessary elements for an outstanding day.
The Ken Lockwood Gorge was purchased in 1948 by the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife and has been referred to as “the most picturesque in the state.”
The 2½-mile (4 km) stretch of the Raritan River
Raritan River
The Raritan River is a major river of central New Jersey in the United States. Its watershed drains much of the mountainous area of the central part of the state, emptying into the Raritan Bay on the Atlantic Ocean.-Description:...
's South Branch comprises the central feature of this 260 acres (105.2 ha) Wildlife Management Area
Wildlife Management Area
Wildlife Management Areas are protected areas set aside in for the conservation of wildlife and for recreational activities involving wildlife.-United States:In the U.S., WMAs exist in the following states:* Alabama* Florida* Georgia* Louisiana...
. Steep, hilly woodlands host a plethora of flora and fauna including both game and non-game varieties, including a diverse population of birds and mammals.
Ken Lockwood Gorge is best known as a trout
Trout
Trout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...
fishing destination. The New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife has designated the area as a "Trout Conservation Area", in which a separate set of rules apply. The limits are different than most other sections of the Raritan River, and fishing with bait is prohibited.
The gorge is named after Kenneth Lockwood, an outdoor journalist and conservationist. Ken Lockwood was best known for his column, "Out In The Open", which ran in the now-defunct Newark Evening News
Newark Evening News
The Newark Evening News was an American newspaper published in Newark, New Jersey. As New Jersey's largest city, Newark played a major role in New Jersey's journalistic history. At its apex, The News was widely regarded as the newspaper of record in New Jersey. It had bureaus in Montclair,...
. He was also a strong advocate for land conservation, promoting setting aside land for hunting and fishing. Ken Lockwood died on April 2, 1948 on the way home from his weekly radio program. Ken Lockwood Gorge was named after him a short time later.