Olivia Fisher 
Northern New Jersey is full of vibrant communities, big and small, with a variety of housing types, community services, recreational spots, school districts, history, and cuisine. After covering Essex County, Passaic County, and Union County, The Montclair Girl is continuing its series on commuter towns throughout Northern New Jersey with a guide to Morris County. Read on to learn about NJ Transit commuter stations in Morris County, New Jersey, and its communities.
About Morris County
Morris County includes 39 municipalities like Butler, East Hanover, and Riverdale, and is home to roughly 523,000 people. The county was named for Colonel Lewis Morris (1671-1746), the 8th Colonial Governor of New Jersey from 1738 to 1746. His grandson Lewis Morris (1726-1798) was one of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, representing New York. Morris County is one of the wealthiest counties by median household income and per capita income in the entire United States.
Read More: The Best Commuter Towns in Passaic County, New Jersey
Although not as close to Manhattan as some commuter towns in Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Hudson, and Union counties, it is still well connected via the Gladstone, Montclair-Boonton, and Morristown Lines. Morris County is also significantly less dense than the mentioned counties and is home to a multitude of nature preserves, parks, and lakes. Each community offers a unique character and something for everyone.
ADA Stations in Morris County
The Montclair-Boonton, Morristown, and Gladstone lines all run through Morris County. Of the 19 stations scattered throughout the county, only eight are ADA-accessible. The stations of Denville, Madison, Morristown, Dover, Mount Arlington, Mount Olive, Boonton, and Towaco have either ramps or elevators for commuters.
Boonton
About 9,000 people live in Boonton, a quaint walkable town with historic architecture and green space. Residents can find American, Japanese, Uzbek, and Italian food; shop for groceries at Walmart, Kings, and Acme; bowl at Boonton Lanes; and get some fresh air at Grace Lord Park and enjoy the Boonton Falls. Commuters can access the Montclair-Boonton Line from the station. Some residents of Montville, Mountain Lakes, and Parsippany-Troy Hills can utilize this station. The Boonton Station is unique and is one of the few train stations in New Jersey with a restaurant inside. The restaurant, Boonton Station 1904, is a tavern offering American fare. It is located in the old waiting room and serves sandwiches, salads, pasta, and much more.
Chatham
Chatham Station is located in Downtown Chatham Borough. The community features restaurants serving Italian, Mexican, Indian, and Japanese cuisine. Residents can join pools in the summer, like the Chatham Borough Pool, Chatham Fish & Game Club, picnic at Reasoner Park downtown, or see a show at the Chatham Community Players. Commuters can take the Morristown Line from the station in either direction. Those living in Chatham Township, Florham Park, and Madison can also utilize this station.
Denville
Denville is home to two stations: Denville and Mount Tabor, and although not located within walking distance from either station, Denville’s downtown and main street is one of the best in North Jersey. Residents also have quick access to Route 46 and Route 80, which runs straight through town. Denville includes St. Clare’s Denville Hospital; stores like Trader Joe’s, Dollar Tree, Walgreens, and Acme; and restaurants serving American, Japanese, Italian, Thai, and Mexican food. Off of Diamond Spring Road is a plethora of community spaces like the Denville Public Library, Denville Historical Society, and Denville Community Gardens. Some residents in Parsippany-Troy Hills and Rockaway can easily access either station and commute from it.
Dover
Like Boonton, Dover has a charming walkable downtown surrounding its train station. Residents can shop for groceries at Extra Supermarket, Frutimex Produce, or Latino American Supermarket; dine at Colombian, Guatemalan, Honduran, Italian, Irish, Mexican, and Peruvian restaurants; and get some fresh air at Crescent Field, J.F.K. Playground, and Mountain Park. Commuter rail arrived at Dover in 1848 and today connects commuters to both the Montclair-Boonton and Morristown Lines. Some residents of Randolph, Rockaway, Rockaway Township, and Wharton can also easily reach this station. The planned Amtrak line from Montclair to Scranton, PA, will include a stop here.
Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park is home to nearly 11,000 residents. Within the borough is a CVS, ShopRite, Walgreens, several parks, and restaurants serving Italian, Mexican, Turkish, and bagels. The railroad has served Lincoln Park and its residents since 1870. Today, commuters can use the station to reach the Montclair-Boonton Line. Some residents may prefer commuting from the Mountain View station in Wayne.
Long Hill
Long Hill is a 12.05 square mile town, home to nearly 8,700 people. The community has three stations: Long Hill, Stirling, and Gillette, all on the Gladstone Line. Residents can find a ShopRite, Old Navy, Walgreens, a community center, and several restaurants serving Turkish, Mexican, pizza, and classic tavern fare. The Millington Station Café operates out of the Millington Station and has been serving delicious comfort food for over 20 years. Some residents on the eastern side of town may prefer commuting from Berkeley Heights station just over the border. Residents of Bernards Township, Harding Township, Warren Township, and Watchung could also commute from any of Long Hill’s three stations.
Madison
Nicknamed The Rose City, Madison boasts a charming downtown featuring Chinese, Colombian, French, Italian, Japanese, and Thai cuisine; grocery stores like Stop & Shop and Whole Foods; the Madison YMCA, and the Museum of Early Crafts and Trades. Madison is also home to Drew University, a community pool with two water slides, and portions of the Fairleigh Dickinson University campus. Commuter rail began serving Madison almost 200 years ago in 1837. Today, commuters can take the Morristown Line from Madison in either direction.
Montville
Located in Montville, the Towaco Station connects commuters to the Montclair-Boonton line. Montville is home to about 24,500 people and features spots serving pizza, tacos, sushi, ice cream, brunch, and steak. The New Jersey Badminton Club is also located here. Some residents of Lincoln Park might find the Towaco Station ideal for commuting from.
Morristown
Morristown is one of those Jersey towns that even out-of-staters know. Home to spots like the Morristown National Historical Park and Mayo Performing Arts Center, this colonial town offers a variety of historic spots, greenery, eateries, and charm. Grocery shopping can be done at Whole Foods, Kings, L.C. Supermarket, and Ana’s Grocery Shop. Restaurant lovers can find American, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, Greek, Eritrean, Polish, Honduran, Mediterranean, and Chinese cuisine. Like any Jersey town, there are also pizzerias, diners, and bagel shops. The town features the Morristown Green, a centralized downtown location dating to the colonial era, full of walking paths, benches, and statues. The Morristown Station offers commuters access to Hackettstown, Hoboken, and Manhattan by the Morristown Line. Some residents in Hanover Township and Morris Township can utilize this station. The planned Amtrak line from Montclair to Scranton, PA, will include a stop here.
Mountain Lakes
Home to about 2,600 people, Mountain Lakes is a highly residential neighborhood similar to Essex Fells in Essex County. The borough includes Lakeland Hills YMCA, a public library, a diner, Wawa, a lake just for residents, and some green space. Some residents of Boonton and Parsippany-Troy Hills might find the Mountain Lakes station to be the easiest for their commute. The station, which opened in 1912, was built by William Hull Botsford, the same person who designed the Lackawanna Plaza in Montclair. Commuters can take the Montclair-Boonton line from Mountain Lakes westward toward Hackettstown or eastward to Hoboken or Manhattan.
Netcong
Home to less than 4,000 people, Netcong gets its name from the Musconetcong River, which likely comes from the Lenape words mushpèkàt, meaning “clear water,” and hane, a word commonly used to refer to a “river” or “creek”. The community features a Shoprite and eateries like diners, pizza shops, bars, grills, and Italian restaurants. Residents who live on Dell Drive and Koclas Drive have the Musconetcong Lake in their backyards. Some residents of Byram Township, Mount Olive Township, Roxbury Township, and Stanhope can commute from the Netcong Station. Passenger rail began in Netcong in 1854 and today connects commuters to both the Montclair-Boonton and Morristown Lines.
Roxbury
Home to Lake Hopatcong Station, Roxbury has about 23,000 people, and some residents have Lake Hopatcong right in their backyard and docks to enjoy time on the water. The community features a variety of nature and recreation spots like the Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum, the West-Morris Greenway, Hopatcong State Park, and Horseshoe Lake Recreation Plaza. Within the community, there is a Walmart, Petco, BJ’s Wholesale, ShopRite, Home Depot, and a variety of eateries serving Indian, Italian, and Japanese food. Commuters can reach both the Montclair-Boonton and Morristown Lines here. Residents of Hopatcong and Mount Arlington could also use this station or the nearby Mount Arlington Station.
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