Fort Mott State Park

My last stop of the day was Fort Mott State Park. What I love about all of New Jersey’s state parks is that they don't cost anything Most have some really great features and preserve some great historical sites and they are all free to enjoy!Fort Mott was part of a coastal defense system designed for the Delaware River in the late 1800s. The fortifications seen today at Fort Mott were erected in 1896 in anticipation of the Spanish-American War.There’s a really great walking tour of the Fort. It’s comprised mostly of several gun batteries that were designed to “disappear” into the earth when not being fired. It was very unique and you can explore most of the batteries. There’s a great view across the water as well. You can also visit the bathrooms of Fort Mott. When soldiers used the latrine, the waste went into the moat where it was carried out with the tide. This proved an extra defense as no one wanted to breach the moat by swimming through waste!

Nearby was Finn’s Point cemetery. Originally purchased by the federal government to build a battery to protect the port of Philadelphia, the land became a cemetery by 1863 for Confederate prisoners of war who died while in captivity at Fort Delaware.

Also nearby was the Finn’s Point Range Light. I saw many lighthouses on this trip but this was unique in several ways. First, it is a skeletal cast iron prefabricated lighthouse. Second it was used as a range light which I had never heard of. These range lights are a pair of light beacons, used in navigation to indicate a safe passage for vessels entering a shallow or dangerous channel; and may also be used for position fixing. At night, the lights are a form of leading line that can be used for safe navigation. The beacons consist of two lights that are separated in distance and elevation, so that when they are aligned, with one above the other, they provide a bearing. Range lights are often illuminated day and night.

I then headed to the campground to set up for the night. The people were really nice and I’m glad I got a spot but I’m not a big fan of family campgrounds. To me, I don’t like places that have WiFi, pools, rec halls, playgrounds, stores, etc. I prefer state or national parks where the only amenity is a toilet. The people in the site across from mine were playing beer pong for crying out loud! I don’t even think that’s legal.