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Quick answer: Our favorite Morris County drives for late fall and winter are Old Route 24 from Morristown to Chester, the climb over Schooley’s Mountain, Tempe Wick Road through Jockey Hollow, the back roads of the Great Swamp, Lake Hopatcong’s southern shore, Boonton Avenue to Pyramid Mountain and the short run to Hacklebarney State Park. Each one is under 13 miles, on public roads, and has a stop worth pulling over for.
When the leaves come down, Morris County shows a different side. Stone walls, frozen ponds, rolling horse country and long views through bare trees make November through February a surprisingly good season for a slow Sunday drive, and the roads are quieter than peak foliage weekends.
We mapped each route below on public county roads, with start and end points, approximate mileage and the stops we would actually make. Pack a thermos, queue up a playlist and go.
1. Old Route 24: Morristown to Mendham and Chester
The classic. Head west from the Morristown Green on Washington Street and stay on County Route 510, the old Route 24, as it rolls past horse farms and estates through Morris Township and Mendham before ending on Main Street in Chester. It is the definition of a pretty drive in every season.
Start: Morristown Green | End: Main Street, Chester | Distance: about 13 miles, 25 minutes
Stops: Mendham’s Main Street for coffee, then browse the shops along Chester’s Main Street. Our Chester local guide has where to eat.
2. Chester to Hacklebarney State Park, Chester Township
Keep going from Chester to one of the prettiest corners of the county. Hacklebarney State Park sits off State Park Road, where the Black River tumbles through a boulder filled gorge. The park dates to 1924, now covers about 890 acres, and the river is one of the best trout streams in New Jersey.
Start: Main Street, Chester | End: Hacklebarney State Park | Distance: about 5.5 miles, 15 minutes
Stop: Walk the riverside trail down to the gorge. In winter, ice often forms along the rocks and the hemlocks keep it green.
3. Schooley’s Mountain Road: Long Valley to Hackettstown
County Route 517 climbs out of Long Valley and winds up and over Schooley’s Mountain before dropping toward Hackettstown. On a clear late fall day you get peeks across the valley through the bare trees, and the curves make it a fun drive.
Start: Long Valley | End: Hackettstown | Distance: about 10 miles, 25 minutes
Stop: Schooley’s Mountain County Park at 91 East Springtown Road, Long Valley, open sunrise to sunset. Walk the 470 foot floating bridge over George Lake. In snowy weeks it is a local favorite for sledding and cross country skiing.
4. Tempe Wick Road through Jockey Hollow, Harding and Mendham
This 3.6 mile stretch of County Route 646 cuts right through Morristown National Historical Park, where Washington’s Continental Army camped through the brutal winter of 1779 and 1780. Driving it on a cold gray morning, past the woods and fields of Jockey Hollow, gives you a small taste of what those soldiers endured.
Start: Route 202, Harding | End: Old Route 24, Mendham Township | Distance: about 4 miles, 10 minutes
Stops: The Jockey Hollow Visitor Center at 586 Tempe Wick Road (Thursday to Monday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and the historic Wick House. Park grounds are open daily from sunrise to 6 p.m. Note that park buildings close January 4 to February 12, 2027.
5. The Great Swamp back roads, Harding Township
From New Vernon, take Long Hill Road and Lee’s Hill Road to Pleasant Plains Road and the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Winter is prime time to spot hawks, owls and waterfowl from the car, and the refuge says Pleasant Plains Road is one of the best places to see wildlife from your vehicle. Much of it is unpaved inside the refuge, so take it slow.
Start: New Vernon | End: Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center, 32 Pleasant Plains Road | Distance: about 4 miles, 11 minutes
Stops: The visitor center (Tuesday and Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and the boardwalks at the Wildlife Observation Center. The refuge is open sunrise to sunset.
6. Lake Hopatcong’s southern shore: Landing to Mount Arlington
Start at Hopatcong State Park in Landing, where the lake meets the old Morris Canal country, and follow Lakeside Boulevard, Mount Arlington Boulevard and Windermere Avenue around the southern coves into Mount Arlington. With the summer boats out of the water, the views across New Jersey’s largest lake open up.
Start: Hopatcong State Park, Lakeside Boulevard, Landing | End: Windermere Avenue, Mount Arlington | Distance: about 4 miles, 10 minutes
Stop: The Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum inside the state park. Call 973-398-2616 to check seasonal hours.
7. Boonton Avenue to Pyramid Mountain and Kinnelon
Leave downtown Boonton on Boonton Avenue, County Route 511, and climb north into the wooded hills of Montville and Kinnelon. The road rises and falls with the ridges, and in late fall the bare trees reveal rock outcroppings you never notice in summer.
Start: Downtown Boonton | End: Route 23, Kinnelon | Distance: about 10 miles, 18 minutes
Stop: Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area at 472 Boonton Avenue, Montville Township, about 4 miles in. Trails are open sunrise to sunset and the visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hike to Tripod Rock, a giant glacial boulder left behind more than 18,000 years ago.
Tips for a winter drive in Morris County
Go on a weekday or early on a weekend morning for empty roads and the best light. Check park hours before you head out, since winter days are short and gates close at sunset. After a storm, the back roads around the Great Swamp and Schooley’s Mountain can stay icy longer than the highways, so save those for a dry day. Want to stretch your legs? Pair any route with a walk from our best hiking trails in Morris County guide, and bookmark our fall foliage guide for next October.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most scenic drive in Morris County?
Old Route 24 (County Route 510) from Morristown through Mendham to Chester is the classic, about 13 miles past horse farms, estates and two charming Main Streets.
Can you drive through the Great Swamp?
Yes. Pleasant Plains Road runs into the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Harding Township and is a good place to watch wildlife from your car. Much of it is unpaved inside the refuge, which is open sunrise to sunset.
Is Jockey Hollow open in winter?
The grounds of Jockey Hollow are open daily from sunrise to 6 p.m. Park buildings are closed January 4 to February 12, 2027, and on Thanksgiving, December 25 and January 1.
Which scenic drive is best for families?
Lake Hopatcong’s southern shore is short, about 4 miles, and starts at Hopatcong State Park, which has room to stretch out and a small history museum.
Photo: Marta Wave, Pexels.
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