Sparta Mountain trail section to close Dec. 15–March 31 for habitat restoration project
SPARTA TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Sussex County) — A 29-acre section of Sparta Mountain Wildlife Management Area, including roughly one-third of a mile of trail on the northeastern portion of the property, will be temporarily closed to the public beginning on or about Dec. 15, 2025, the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife announced. The closure will remain in effect through March 31, 2026.
The agency said the temporary shutdown is necessary to ensure public safety while a habitat restoration project takes place. The planned activity, first released on Jan. 31, 2025, requires restricting access to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering an active work zone.
Visitors with tree stands, blinds or other equipment in the affected area are urged to remove them before work begins. Officials also ask the public to obey posted signage and avoid entering the restricted area for the duration of the project.
The restoration effort aims to open portions of the forest canopy to encourage the growth of young oak and hickory trees, as well as native shrubs and plants such as blackberries and sedges. According to Fish & Wildlife, similar projects on Sparta Mountain have created important breeding and foraging habitat for numerous wildlife species, including as many as 80 species of birds observed in restored open-canopy areas.
NJ Fish & Wildlife said it “regrets having to close the area,” but noted that during past management activities, spectators entering active work zones created significant safety risks, prompting the need for a full closure throughout the project period.
