March 22, 2026 – Jefferson, New Jersey

Difficulty: Moderate (1 short, steep climb)

Length: Approximately 3.5 miles

Max elevation: 1,378 ft. – total elevation gain approximately 500 ft.

Route type: Out and back

Map: Morris County Highlands Trails Map #126 – Fire Tower Trail

Trailhead parking: Snow Bowl Area Weldon Road, Jefferson, NJ 07849

Paved parking area – No restrooms on site

Hours: Open Daily, Sunrise – Sunset

 

Overview:

Rising above the wooded ridges of Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, the Milton Station Fire Tower stands as both a scenic destination and a working piece of New Jersey’s wildfire detection network. Built in 1937, this 80-foot steel lookout still plays an active role today, offering a unique blend of history and function. A short but steady hike leads to its base, where those willing to climb are rewarded with sweeping 360-degree views across the NJ Highlands—and, on clear days, a distant glimpse of New York City on the horizon.

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History:

The Milton Station Fire Tower was erected in 1937 atop Bowling Green Mountain as part of New Jersey’s expanding fire detection network. It was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) through the Woodlands Protective Expansion Project and consists of an 80-foot steel framework produced by the International Derrick Company. Positioned for maximum visibility, the tower offers broad views of the Hudson Highlands and nearby forests, enabling observers to spot and report fires across a large area.

Snow Bowl Ski Area was once a well-loved local ski spot in Jefferson, New Jersey, located on Bowling Green Mountain. Operating from the early 1960s through the mid-1970s, it was established by Dr. Frank Johnson and became known for its early adoption of snowmaking technology. The mountain offered a vertical drop of roughly 400 to 470 feet and featured a base lodge that even included a swimming pool—an unusual amenity for a small ski area.

Popular with local families and the baby boomer generation, the resort eventually closed due to a combination of mild winters and increasing competition from larger ski destinations. Today, the former ski area is preserved as part of Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, where traces of its past can still be found along the trails.

Bowling Green Mountain was preserved through a partnership between the Trust for Public Land, the Morris County Open Space Preservation Trust Fund, and the Morris County Park Commission, which acquired the 96-acre property from a private investment company. The land has since been permanently protected and incorporated into Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, the county’s largest and one of its most popular parks.

Previously closed to the public, this acquisition significantly expands access to open space in the area. Ownership of the property was officially transferred to the Morris County Park Commission on December 31, 2020, and it is now open for visitors to explore. New trails in the Snow Bowl area of the existing park have been developed to connect directly with the newly preserved land, improving access and creating a more cohesive trail network.

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Parking:

Both trails are situated within Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, on the site of the former Snow Bowl Ski Area and Bowling Green Mountain. The trailhead and parking area are located on Weldon Road, just south of Jefferson Township Middle School.

There are no rest room facilities on site.

Trails Overview:

The Snow Bowl Loop is a roughly one-mile trail that follows a section of the Jefferson High School cross-country course. It features a mix of crushed stone and natural footing, making for an easy, comfortable walk. The route passes alongside a pond and small streams, with several remnants of the area’s former ski operations visible along the way. Benches are placed throughout the loop, offering spots to sit and take in the surroundings. It’s an ideal choice for a short, relaxed outing.

The Fire Tower Trail is a more challenging route, following a dirt and gravel service road up Bowling Green Mountain. The climb is steady and fairly steep, tracing what was once part of an old ski slope. Near the top, you’ll reach a communication tower, but the hike continues beyond this point. From there, the trail levels out as it crosses the summit ridge, eventually leading to the fire tower at the true high point.

If you arrive while the tower is staffed, the Milton Fire Observer may invite you up into the cab. If you get the opportunity, it’s well worth the climb—the views from the top more than justify the effort.

Both trails are marked with white signs with red arrows attached to wooden posts and/or trees. The Snow Bowl Loop is also marked with yellow blazes painted on trees.

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Hike Overview:

This hike had been on my list of fire towers to visit. While on the shorter side, it delivers a satisfying punch with its steep climb up to the communications tower, followed by 133 steps to the top of the 80-foot fire tower. There are no views at the base, so you’ll need to climb at least partway above the treetops to enjoy any scenery.

On the day we visited, the area was lightly trafficked. We only encountered a group heading toward the tower on our return and a few people near the Snow Bowl Loop. Using the Avenza Maps app is helpful for staying on track. Overall, it’s a rewarding hike with a nice mix of challenge and scenery on Bowling Green Mountain.

This hike is primarily an out-and-back route, with a short detour along the Snow Bowl Loop.

As shown in the elevation profile below, the first 0.6 mile of the hike is quite steep, while the remainder of the route is relatively easy.

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The Hike:

The hike begins at the Snow Bowl Area trailhead near the base of Bowling Green Mountain. Pass through the gate and bear left, where the Fire Tower Trail starts as a wide gravel service road. The route is well marked, with directional signs posted on wooden markers along the way.

The Fire Tower Trail begins with a relatively level stretch before dipping slightly and passing through another gate. Along the way, you’ll encounter several junctions with other trails, including the Snow Bowl Loop, which you’ll take later. For now, continue straight ahead on the Fire Tower Trail.

The Fire Tower Trail begins to steepen as you reach a black-and-yellow striped sign marked with the number “8.” This is an object, or hazard, marker designed to draw attention to a specific feature—in this case, a drainage crossing. The number identifies its location along the route. You’ll pass several more of these markers as you continue ascending the service road on Bowling Green Mountain.

After about 0.6 miles from the trailhead, the Fire Tower Trail reaches a communication tower, though this is not the final destination. From there, the trail continues along the mountain ridge until you reach the fire tower. Once on the ridgeline, the path levels out, offering a relatively easy walk. This section follows an eroded dirt road, which is generally easier to navigate than the gravel service road below.

In this section, the trail is less clearly marked, and several roads branch off from the main path. Keep an eye out for trail signs to stay on course. Using the Avenza Maps app is a helpful way to navigate and ensure you remain on the correct trail.

This structure appears to be the counterweight foundation for a bullwheel ski lift, a remnant from the days of the Snow Bowl Ski Area.

The yellow boundary markers on Bowling Green Mountain are used to clearly define park property lines. They indicate where county-managed land begins and ends, helping both visitors and staff identify which areas are part of the park. For hikers, these markers are primarily informational, serving as a visual reminder to stay on maintained trails and respect protected areas.

The white signs on Bowling Green Mountain are posted by the NJDEP to mark Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). These lands are managed for wildlife habitat, conservation, and regulated public recreation such as hunting, hiking, or birdwatching. The signs inform visitors of the protected status and outline rules, seasonal restrictions, and permitted activities.

After passing the yellow boundary marker, it’s roughly 0.4 miles to the fire tower. Even with the trees bare, the tower isn’t visible until you’re quite close. When the trail reaches a fork, bear right and follow the short path to the tower. The Fire Tower Trail ends at this point.

In 1937, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the Milton Station Fire Tower as part of the Woodlands Protective Expansion Project. The tower serves as a key observation point in the high-value urban-wildland interface of northern New Jersey. From its vantage, it has line-of-sight to all seven towers in the division, as well as the Sterling Fire Tower, the last remaining active lookout tower in New York.

The Milton Station Fire Tower is an 80-foot steel structure built by the International Derrick Company, featuring a 7-by-7-foot metal cab, and is situated on Morris County park land.

If you’re planning a visit to the Milton Station Fire Tower, you can call the number below to find out when the tower will be staffed.

The Milton Station Fire Tower features 11 landings and a total of 133 steps from the ground up to the cab. There are no views from the base of the tower, so you’ll need to climb at least partway above the treetops to enjoy the surrounding scenery.

At the Milton Station Fire Tower, the upper landing of the cab is typically locked for safety and preservation reasons. While visitors can climb the tower and access most of the steps and landings, the very top platform is restricted to prevent accidents and limit wear on the historic structure.

Even with the upper landing locked, you can still enjoy excellent panoramic views from the lower sections of the cab and the landings just below the top. These vantage points rise above the treetops, giving a sweeping perspective of the surrounding forests, mountains, and, on clear days, distant landmarks across northern New Jersey.

From the top of the Milton Station Fire Tower, on a clear day, you can see the Manhattan skyline rising in the distance. The view stretches across the Hudson River Valley, with clusters of high-rises appearing as a striking contrast to the surrounding forested hills of northern New Jersey.

After climbing the tower and enjoying the views from just below the cab, we sat at the base to relax for a few minutes. A Jeep pulled up—it was the fire observer reporting for duty. He climbed the tower, unlocked the cab, and gave me permission to go inside. I wasn’t thrilled about making the climb a second time, but I did it…and survived.

The Fire Observer at Milton Station Fire Tower plays a crucial role in monitoring the surrounding forests for signs of wildfire. Traditionally, observers are stationed in the cab during fire season, scanning the horizon for smoke and using tools like alidades (Osborne Fire Finders) and maps to pinpoint locations and report them to rangers or local fire departments.

In addition to this protective role, the observer acts as a steward of the area, providing public engagement and safety oversight. They often welcome visitors, answer questions about the tower’s history and operations, and may allow guests to climb the cab when it is safe.

After taking in the views from the tower, retrace your steps along the Fire Tower Trail, passing the communication tower and descending Bowling Green Mountain via the gravel service road.

Near the junction of the Fire Tower Trail and the Snow Bowl Loop stands a stone chimney, a surviving remnant of the original Snow Bowl ski lodge.

At the junction with the Snow Bowl Loop, turn left. If you’re ready to return to your vehicle, follow the Fire Tower Trail back to the trailhead. Otherwise, turning left allows you to continue and extend your hike.

The Snow Bowl Loop Trail passes a small but scenic pond, surrounded by trees and natural vegetation, offering a peaceful spot to pause, enjoy the reflections on the water, and listen to the gentle sounds of nearby Russia Brook.

The Snow Bowl Loop Trail winds over a mix of stone and natural soil, creating a varied yet gentle surface underfoot. Shaded by forest trees and dotted with occasional open clearings, the trail offers a leisurely, easy-going walk where hikers can enjoy the sights and sounds of streams, wildlife, and the surrounding woodland.

Soon after the pond, the Snow Bowl Loop Trail winds alongside Russia Brook, where moss-covered rocks and gently flowing water create a serene, shaded corridor. The brook adds a soothing soundtrack to the hike, with small cascades and trickling streams enhancing the peaceful, forested setting.

The Snow Bowl Loop Trail meanders through shaded woods, twisting and turning along gentle rises and dips. It soon opens into a sunny clearing where a bench invites hikers to pause and take in the view, offering a quiet spot to relax and enjoy the surrounding landscape.

The final stretch of the Snow Bowl Loop Trail gently winds back toward the junction with the Fire Tower Trail, descending through an open clearing before reaching the trailhead area.

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Review:

A hike up Bowling Green Mountain to the Milton Station Fire Tower, paired with a loop around the Snow Bowl, makes for a surprisingly well-rounded and enjoyable outing. While the overall distance is on the shorter side, the steady climb up the fire road adds just enough challenge to keep things interesting. The ascent—especially the steeper section along the old ski slope—gets your heart pumping, and the final reward comes with the climb up the fire tower itself. If you’re lucky enough to access the cab, the sweeping views above the treetops are absolutely worth the effort.

What really makes this hike stand out is the contrast between the rugged climb and the peaceful scenery below. The Snow Bowl Loop offers a completely different experience, with its gentle terrain, pond views, and quiet stretches alongside Russia Brook. It’s the perfect way to ease into or wind down from the more strenuous climb, adding a relaxed, scenic element to the hike.

The area also tends to feel less crowded than many other nearby destinations, which only adds to its appeal. Between the historical character of the fire tower, the remnants of the old ski area, and the variety of landscapes packed into a relatively short hike, this is a rewarding trip that offers a little bit of everything.

Pros:

Great views from the fire tower, interesting history with CCC and old ski area remnants, varied terrain, scenic pond and stream, lightly trafficked and less crowded, well-marked and easy to follow trails, combination of challenge and relaxation, benches and spots to rest along the Snow Bowl Loop.

Cons:

No views unless you climb the fire tower, fire tower access not always guaranteed, minimal signage in some areas without a map, limited standout features at the summit beyond the tower.

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Take a hike!

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Sources:

• Milton Station Fire Tower – National Historic Lookout Register
• Fire Towers – NJDEP
• Trail System | Jefferson Township, NJ
• Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
• Snow Bowl Ski Area

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