Rockaway River Wildlife Management Area: deer hunting, parking and rules in Zone 6
Rockaway River Wildlife Management Area is 3,975 acres of New Jersey Fish and Wildlife land in Jefferson, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Rockaway and Boonton (Morris County), in Deer Management Zone 6. Hunters took 952 deer in Zone 6 in 2025-26, and the zone follows the Medium regulation set for 2026-27. NJFW maps 17 roadside pull-offs, 2 fishing access points, 1 unpaved parking lot and 1 metal gate on the property.
Data updated October 2026. Sources are listed at the foot of the page.
Fish and Wildlife land (WMAs)State forest and park landMilitary (closed unless the base allows)Rockaway River WMAZone lineParkingHighway
| Size | 3,975 acres (NJDEP), in 8 pieces |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Jefferson, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Rockaway and Boonton |
| County | Morris County |
| Deer Management Zone | Zone 6 |
| 2026-27 rules in Zone 6 | Medium regulation set |
| Parking (NJFW) | 17 roadside pull-offs and 1 unpaved parking lot |
| NJFW public deer land list | Listed: no extra access permit needed |
| Deer taken in Zone 6, 2025-26 | 952 |
| Nearest town centers | Montville (2 mi), Rockaway (2 mi) and Wharton (3 mi) |
What has NJFW built on Rockaway River WMA?
NJFW's points of interest layer shows 17 roadside pull-offs, 2 fishing access points, 1 unpaved parking lot and 1 metal gate.
| What | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.97694 | -74.54701 |
| Roadside pull-off | 40.97592 | -74.55011 |
| Roadside pull-off | 40.96945 | -74.55754 |
| Roadside pull-off | 40.96904 | -74.55675 |
| Roadside pull-off | 40.96766 | -74.56056 |
| Roadside pull-off | 40.96744 | -74.56122 |
| Roadside pull-off | 40.96625 | -74.56303 |
| Roadside pull-off | 40.96294 | -74.56505 |
| Roadside pull-off | 40.95810 | -74.56875 |
| Roadside pull-off | 40.95535 | -74.57065 |
| Roadside pull-off | 40.95445 | -74.57062 |
| Roadside pull-off | 40.95430 | -74.57199 |
The first 12 of 22 points.
What other hunting areas cover Rockaway River WMA?
For spring turkey the WMA lies in Turkey Hunting Area 7 in NJFW's North region. For ducks and geese it is in the North waterfowl zone.
How many deer are taken around Rockaway River WMA?
NJFW counts deer by zone. Zone 6 gave 952 deer in 2025-26: 711 to bowhunters, 102 in the six-day firearm season, 44 in the permit shotgun season and 94 in the permit muzzleloader season.
| Zone | WMA acres in it | 2025-26 | 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 6 | 3,970 | 952 | 769 | 733 | 886 |
| County | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morris County | 2,115 | 2,388 | 2,179 | 2,130 | 2,432 |
What rules apply on Rockaway River WMA?
Deer seasons follow Zone 6's Medium regulation set; its fall bow season runs September 12 to October 2, then October 3 to 30, 2026. WMAs close from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. except to hunters, anglers and trappers.
How do you get to Rockaway River WMA?
Highways within five miles: I-80, US 46, NJ 15, I-287, US 202 and NJ 181. Distances to the nearest town centers: Montville 2 miles, Rockaway 2 miles, Wharton 3 miles and Mountain Lakes 3 miles. Other WMAs nearby: Weldon Brook (3 miles), Berkshire Valley (5 miles), Wildcat Ridge (6 miles). NJFW publishes a map of Rockaway River WMA.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt deer on Rockaway River WMA?
Yes. NJFW's 2026 Digest lists Rockaway River WMA among public deer hunting lands that need no extra access permit. (NJFW Public Hunting Land for Deer (2026 Digest); NJDEP WMA Restrictions in New Jersey)
What deer zone is Rockaway River WMA in?
Zone 6. Hunters took 952 deer in Zone 6 in 2025-26 and 769 in 2024-25 (NJFW 2025-26 New Jersey Total Deer Harvest).
Where do you park for Rockaway River WMA?
NJFW maps 17 roadside pull-offs and 1 unpaved parking lot, listed with coordinates on this page (NJ Fish and Wildlife points of interest (parking, gates, ranges, boat ramps)). Vehicles must stay on established roads and parking areas.
How many deer are taken in Morris County?
Morris County: 2,432 deer in 2025-26, 2,130 in 2024-25 and 2,115 in 2021-22 (NJFW White-tailed Deer Harvest by County, 2021-22 to 2025-26).
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Sources: NJDEP open space, NJFW points of interest and WMA restrictions layers; NJFW harvest tables, county harvest, 2026-27 seasons, public deer land list and WMA rules; PAD-US; Census. FilledTag is not part of NJ Fish and Wildlife.