Fantastic spring that you can pull your car right up to. No fee to access the spring except for admission to the state park. Metal spout makes accessing water easy.
Nearest Address
1 Coursen Road Branchville, NJ 07826
Directions from Nearest Address
Follow the road into the state park, when you get to the first intersection, take a left and go down till you see the spring on the right side of the road. You can pull your car right up to the spring and fill up.
The coordinates given on Coursen Road are no longer correct for an active spring. 40+ years ago I used to camp here often and there was an active spring at 41.198437,-74.784882 but this spring is no longer active. There is still a spring in the park, but it is on Shotwell Road, and proper coordinates are 41°11’17.1″N 74°48’00.8″W. The directions provided above will lead you to the Shotwell Road spring Water is wonderful!
We were at this spring 6 times since June 2019 grabbing about 50 gallons each time. Just got back from the 6th trip today. It’s about 1.5 hr drive for us and we try to get there at 7:30AM to avoid a few cars waiting in line and for free access to the forest before 8AM. I always bring a TDS/Temp meter and high quality PH test strips. The water is CONSISTENTLY around 47 ppm and the PH is CONSISTENTLY 5.5 – 6.0. Today (July 26) the water temp was about 13C/55F.
The only thing we’re concerned about is the low PH level. This has been our only source of drinking water for the last year. What could cause a low PH of 5.5 – 6.0? If it was closer to 7.0, I wouldn’t be as concerned. Over all, nice place to visit. It’s beautiful up there!
Awesome video! RAw and wild water food-living,
I’m a local N.J., hometown resident, and I would to know how this area of the park looks? Where is it precisely? At the present moment, is it covered with snow and ice? I do my absolute best with only drinking the purest source of water. And the closest, most best that I have is a local spring, here in Clifton, NJ. But I am ready to take my Cosmic Water Shamanism to the next level.
Hello Cosmic. I am also into raw and I am interested in what water you are drinking at the moment. I live in Morris Plains New Jersey and I am trying to find the perfect water source.
My friends and I just visited the spring this weekend. We collected water to use for tea ceremony and wow is it good! We used it unfiltered and it left no residue in our kettles. It is fresh and not too mineral heavy. (Will report back once we test the TDS and whatnot.)
We were told by locals that the water runs year round. The spring is easily accessible by car and easy to find upon entering Stokes State Forest park. Just follow the water signs. The park seems to be open year round, charging only Memorial-Labor Day.
Thanks Erika for the photo of the test strip! Greatly appreciated!
In the last 6 times in visiting this spring since June 2019, the water was consistently 5.5 – 6.0 PH which is the only thing I’m not too enthused about. Our ph test strips are pretty high quality 3-color but maybe they’re getting too old. Also, we’ve gotten a consistent TDS of 47PPM. I would LOVE to know the mineral breakdown of the 47PPM. Hope it’s not too much inorganic calcium.
Hi All,
My wife & I made the trip up here today, as our long-time Artesian Water Spring in Mine Hill closed this month in the wake of the owner’s passing. Though it’s a 38-mile trip for us….I too can vouch that it is well worth the trip. The quality of the water is second-to-none….ice-cold & crystal-clear. Started using it tonight for tea & cooking…and no scale or residue on the pots. So excited & happy to learn of this spring. The folks here got it right…it is a treasure. I highly recommend it !!
I canot tell for sure from this video but the spot the they are shown taking water. is not the spout of the original spring. The state let the original grow over I believe it was call Kitatinny Springs and I can remember 40 years taking water from that spot of the original spring the best water I ever tasted ,The other water taps dont compare
I agree…the tds is very low here. Scott might want to make sure his bottle is really clean. Even if so…there is going to be something in there. He can keep drinking distilled if he is so turned off, but I would never ever abandon stokes unless something really serious came up. This water is so great.
Scott…if youre close to NYC, check out Cold Spring harbor in Long Island.
hello,i am going camping there.do u no of any places or things we can do while in stokes?or area attractions?thanx.by the way that water is the best water i have ever had..we bought some home too…lol
I did a 'boil off' test of the water from this spring, and it unfortunately left quite a bit of white scale behind in my pot.. means that there is bad calcium in this water, and it's not an appropriate spring for drinking..
Does anyone know of any springs in South Jersey- Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic or Ocean counties? There must be some… we have the huge Cohansey Aquiferhere in the Pine Barrens.
It’s an Artesian well or body of water underground. When it’s accessed with a pipe, natural underground pressure brings forces the water out the pipe. So there’s no pump or any equipment required to bring the water to the surface. I constantly measure the TDS/PPM and the water is constantly around 47-49 PPM.
visited this spring on the coldest day of the year – it was about 14 degrees F, and the spring was still flowing nicely. The water here tastes so pure, it’s worth the drive – not to mention the beautiful scenery. http://www.juicingart.com/1/post/2011/01/drink-raw-water-stokes-forest-spring.html is a photo blog entry with more details about our visit to the spring.
Yes definitely open for the winter. I filled up here today and can confirm that it’s super easy even with lots of snow. I literally parked about 10 feet from the spout and quickly filled up three glass bottles.
The only strange thing about it was the flow regularly increased and decreased every minute or two. The flow probably doubled or tripled during the increase. Does anyone know what the story is there? It didn’t strike me as something that would happen naturally, but I’m no aquifer expert.
Yes, it’s open, the gatehouse is closed, so there is no admission, just drive through the gatehouse and take the first left. The spring is on the right.
There is no fee if you go off season or off hours. The gatehouse is closed between Labor Day and Memorial Day and after 4pm during the summer. I've never had to pay to get water.
I have not encountered the scale Scott refers to and Ive been getting water there for months, and done such a test. I also know a few local residents who for years now get their water here with no such result. its still one of the areas best kept secrets.
Went to this spring in the Fall of 2022 and the flow was very fast, there were a few cars waiting after me when I arrived on a weekday afternoon, so it’s relatively popular. You can pull up basically right next to the spout and fill up. The park itself conducts tests on this water on a quarterly basis. You can request for them to send you these results. It wasn’t drinkable for me though bc I got stomach cramps and upset stomach from it.
Greetings, I was there yesterday the tds was coming out at 30ppm and ph was around 6.5. I am curious what the large building behind the spouts are for? If anyone is familiar with this spring please let me know. The water did taste good and is coming out really cold which is a great sign. I would like to know more about the spring and if it has ever been tested for mineral content/contaminants?
I went to this spring on 1/1/18. Make sure once you enter the park, you take the road to the left. I went the wrong way and had a hard time finding the spring initially.
At home, my TDS read at 0045 ppm. It was a very cold day but the water felt fairly warm. It tastes amazing.
Was here today. TDS was 42. Didn’t check the temp, but it was cold. Really really great taste. Best I’ve found so far (I mostly gather in NY). When you go into the park go past the toll house and the surrounding parking lot. Make the first left on to a road. It will be on your right. You can pull your car right up to it and there is plenty of room though there will likely be other people. It’s a popular spring.
FYI: The fluoride that occurs naturally in water is the compound they did the cavity studies on, and it is not toxic. Naturally occurring fluoride NOT the same toxic fluoride compound they ADD to many city water supplies which is a byproduct of the aluminum industry, and they wanted it put in water so they didn’t have to pay to get rid of it as toxic waste. It is poisonous, which is why many tubes of toothpaste come with a warning to call poison control if you swallow more than a pea sized amount. It is toxic to the brain and causes cancer. I would hope this water only has the naturally occurring fluoride which I believe is Calcium Fluoride, and the toxic fluoride is sodium fluoride.
We traveled 2hrs for NYC just to get to this Spring and it was worth the trip. We talk to many of the locals that have been drinking out of here for ages. They even took us to Sunrise Mountain Scenic Overlook. All the info about this Spring is correct. The best water ever.
Went earlier in the week to fill up a bunch of glass jugs but for some reason one of the spouts was closed up. It is just amazing that I can go anytime–day or night–to get this refreshing cold water!
Just went for the first time and filled a bunch of jugs! Beautiful park and amazing water! I couldn’t be more excited! Cars were lined up to fill up! We asked the park lady about the water and she said people travel just to fill up from there. She said the same people are always coming back too.. What a treasure is right!
Just went back the other day…36 ppm on the TDS meter, and so cold. It feels so good to be drinking that water again. Its free to enter the park until memorial day! Sometimes the flow would be really strong and then it would weaken a bit…this water definitely isnt pumped. What a treasure…
I agree, Anthony !! My wife & went up for the first time today, as our long-time spring in Mine Hill is closed (at least for now) in the wake of the owner’s passing. Hoping that Mine Hill Twp buys the spring, as the mayor hopes they will be able to.
Drinking pure spring water is one of the most important things we can do for our health. Our bodies are over 99% water at the molecular level, so water affects every aspect of our biology. Yet, not all water is created equal. Almost all the bottled spring water available is pasteurized for shelf stability, which neutralizes many of the powerful health benefits such as increased hydrogen, healthy probiotics, and crystalline structure. For more about why unprocessed spring water is the best water to drink, read this.
The best way to guarantee you are getting real unprocessed spring water is to collect it yourself. This is a short and simple guide filled with information about how to gather spring water. We will cover how to find a spring, how to collect the water, how to honor the spring, how to store the water properly and other tips.
FindASpring.org is the best resource for locating a spring near you. However, not all springs are on the map. First, check the map to see if there is a spring in your local area. If there is, look at the reviews and comments. Has anyone shared helpful information about flow rate or posted a water test result? Is the spring in a pristine area? Do a bit of research and make sure the spring is safe to drink from. If you have any doubt about the purity, don’t risk it and get a water test, HERE. If you don’t see a spring on the map in your area, there still might be some that aren’t listed yet. First, ask the older generation who have lived in your area a long time if they know. You can also ask people in your community who might already get spring water such as people at a health food store or at a farmers market. Another great option is to view A US forest service map, where many springs have been marked. You can view these maps through the Gaia GPS or All Trails hiking apps on your phone. The map overlay you want is USGS Topo. Not all are easily accessible or ideal for drinking, but some are and it can be a fun adventure to find them. We have found over half a dozen great springs this way.
Once you’ve found your spring, figure out how you are going to gather the water. Is it right on the side of the road and easy to access or do you have to hike to it? We recommend storing spring water in glass instead of plastic to preserve the purity of the water. It is better for the environment, your body, and the water. Even BPA free plastic has toxic chemicals that can leach into water and cause health issues. If you do want to use plastic for safety reasons when filling at the spring, we recommend transferring the water to glass as soon as possible. FindASpring is sponsored by Alive Waters, which offers beautiful reusable glass. They have a 2.5 gallon option, which is a convenient size for carrying that isn’t too heavy. They also sell handles that you can use to transport the jugs even more easily. If you have to hike to access the spring, we recommend putting the water jugs into an extra large backpack to hike the water out with ease. We use Osprey packs that hold 2 jugs each. You can also use a wheelbarrow or even a stroller depending on how easy a walk it is.
Filling 2.5 Gallon Alive Waters Jug
When you get to the spring, remember to first give back before you take. Springs are considered sacred in indigenous cultures around the world for their life giving water and also as a connection to the inner earth. A powerful and simple way to give back is to clean up. Is there any trash that needs to be collected? Could you move any dead leaves or sticks to improve the flow rate? Show up in service. Some other wonderful ways to give is with a moment of expressing verbal gratitude, singing songs to the water, offering the water an ethically sourced crystal, a feather, or some other physical gift. Flowers are a popular and beautiful thing to offer, but please be careful to source organic ones as most flowers from the store are sprayed with pesticides and can be toxic to put near a spring. Also, flowers can attract bugs as they decay, so it can be best to offer them to the flowing water directly or a little downstream from the spring head.
When gathering the water, fill the jug as close to the spring head as possible, never gather downstream. Be very careful as wet glass is extremely slippery. Make sure the lid is securely fastened. When transporting the spring water home, the jugs can sometimes slide around the car. Secure them in place or wrap them with towels or something so they don’t crash into each other.
How you store your spring water is essential. It is not pasteurized like spring water from the store, so it will start growing algae if left in direct sunlight. This is good because it means it’s alive! If the water you drink can’t even support the most basic life forms, how do you think it will support your body? Store your water in a cool, dark place such as a dark corner, pantry or closet. The fridge is ideal if you have room. Some people prefer to filter their water through a Berkey filter before drinking, but if the spring is pure, it’s not necessary. We drink our spring water completely unfiltered.
How long the water stays good for depends on how cold a temperature it’s stored at. Spring water is best fresh. We personally do not prefer to drink spring water past 2 weeks old. However, we know other people that will drink it at a month old. It’s great to get in a rhythm where you know how long the water lasts you and put your collection day on the calendar in advance.
I believe that water is calling us to reconnect with her in the deepest way, to gather our own water. Just like our ancestors did. Our ancestors didn’t have fancy water machines. They also didn’t create villages or settle where there was no water. Water was revered as the center of the community and the nodal point around which life could spiral out and take root.
Here’s to restoring the sacred connection with the waters of life.
Written by Dakota Chanel. Water Priestess and Ceremonialist. DakotaChanel.com
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Stokes State Forest Spring, Branchville, NJ
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The coordinates given on Coursen Road are no longer correct for an active spring. 40+ years ago I used to camp here often and there was an active spring at 41.198437,-74.784882 but this spring is no longer active. There is still a spring in the park, but it is on Shotwell Road, and proper coordinates are 41°11’17.1″N 74°48’00.8″W. The directions provided above will lead you to the Shotwell Road spring Water is wonderful!
There is still a spring on Coursen Rd. by the Main Entrance on Rt. 206 North. Stokes State Park
We were at this spring 6 times since June 2019 grabbing about 50 gallons each time. Just got back from the 6th trip today. It’s about 1.5 hr drive for us and we try to get there at 7:30AM to avoid a few cars waiting in line and for free access to the forest before 8AM. I always bring a TDS/Temp meter and high quality PH test strips. The water is CONSISTENTLY around 47 ppm and the PH is CONSISTENTLY 5.5 – 6.0. Today (July 26) the water temp was about 13C/55F.
The only thing we’re concerned about is the low PH level. This has been our only source of drinking water for the last year. What could cause a low PH of 5.5 – 6.0? If it was closer to 7.0, I wouldn’t be as concerned. Over all, nice place to visit. It’s beautiful up there!
Hi, I recently tested the water here and the ph was a little above 7. The TDS was 52 for water that was 2 months old and and 51 for fresh water 🙂
Awesome video! RAw and wild water food-living,
I’m a local N.J., hometown resident, and I would to know how this area of the park looks? Where is it precisely? At the present moment, is it covered with snow and ice? I do my absolute best with only drinking the purest source of water. And the closest, most best that I have is a local spring, here in Clifton, NJ. But I am ready to take my Cosmic Water Shamanism to the next level.
Where in Clifton?
hey where is this spring water in clifton? i been going to stoke stake park but its too far
Hello Cosmic. I am also into raw and I am interested in what water you are drinking at the moment. I live in Morris Plains New Jersey and I am trying to find the perfect water source.
Hi!
My friends and I just visited the spring this weekend. We collected water to use for tea ceremony and wow is it good! We used it unfiltered and it left no residue in our kettles. It is fresh and not too mineral heavy. (Will report back once we test the TDS and whatnot.)
We were told by locals that the water runs year round. The spring is easily accessible by car and easy to find upon entering Stokes State Forest park. Just follow the water signs. The park seems to be open year round, charging only Memorial-Labor Day.
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/stokes.html
I finally got a chance to test the water. The TDS number is 47ppm at 72 F degrees.
We also used a test strip to test for a variety of things using a color code. It tests clean of nitrites/nitrates (fertilizer) and with a pH of about 6.4. You can see the test strip image here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11euVtiymjq0l9fWNv6UbnnrTQDozGyUW/view?usp=sharing
We have used it in our clay kettle and glass kettle for a couple weeks and have no residue left behind.
Thanks Erika for the photo of the test strip! Greatly appreciated!
In the last 6 times in visiting this spring since June 2019, the water was consistently 5.5 – 6.0 PH which is the only thing I’m not too enthused about. Our ph test strips are pretty high quality 3-color but maybe they’re getting too old. Also, we’ve gotten a consistent TDS of 47PPM. I would LOVE to know the mineral breakdown of the 47PPM. Hope it’s not too much inorganic calcium.
Thanks again!
Hi All,
My wife & I made the trip up here today, as our long-time Artesian Water Spring in Mine Hill closed this month in the wake of the owner’s passing. Though it’s a 38-mile trip for us….I too can vouch that it is well worth the trip. The quality of the water is second-to-none….ice-cold & crystal-clear. Started using it tonight for tea & cooking…and no scale or residue on the pots. So excited & happy to learn of this spring. The folks here got it right…it is a treasure. I highly recommend it !!
does anyone know where is this spring located at CLIFTON NJ ?? WHAT STREET??
I canot tell for sure from this video but the spot the they are shown taking water. is not the spout of the original spring. The state let the original grow over I believe it was call Kitatinny Springs and I can remember 40 years taking water from that spot of the original spring the best water I ever tasted ,The other water taps dont compare
alrighty.. i'm going to give it another shot.. going there today to fill some bottles and see what I get 🙂
hey brother…did you ever make it back? I think we are going to hit up Ellenville on Sunday! Im still surprised about the scale showing up
Very good spring. Filled up today – TDS 38. Pretty far out in Sussex county, but worth the trip.
What does TDS mean and what is a good reading?
I was told by the ranger that this is an artisan well. They now have two pipes coming off the same well to fill. Hardly ever any wait.
I agree…the tds is very low here. Scott might want to make sure his bottle is really clean. Even if so…there is going to be something in there. He can keep drinking distilled if he is so turned off, but I would never ever abandon stokes unless something really serious came up. This water is so great.
Scott…if youre close to NYC, check out Cold Spring harbor in Long Island.
hello,i am going camping there.do u no of any places or things we can do while in stokes?or area attractions?thanx.by the way that water is the best water i have ever had..we bought some home too…lol
I did a 'boil off' test of the water from this spring, and it unfortunately left quite a bit of white scale behind in my pot.. means that there is bad calcium in this water, and it's not an appropriate spring for drinking..
Does anyone know of any springs in South Jersey- Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic or Ocean counties? There must be some… we have the huge Cohansey Aquiferhere in the Pine Barrens.
I went down there in the middle of the night..spoooooooky. Bear country. The water was ok. But I wonder if it’s a real spring!
It’s an Artesian well or body of water underground. When it’s accessed with a pipe, natural underground pressure brings forces the water out the pipe. So there’s no pump or any equipment required to bring the water to the surface. I constantly measure the TDS/PPM and the water is constantly around 47-49 PPM.
visited this spring on the coldest day of the year – it was about 14 degrees F, and the spring was still flowing nicely. The water here tastes so pure, it’s worth the drive – not to mention the beautiful scenery. http://www.juicingart.com/1/post/2011/01/drink-raw-water-stokes-forest-spring.html is a photo blog entry with more details about our visit to the spring.
Yes definitely open for the winter. I filled up here today and can confirm that it’s super easy even with lots of snow. I literally parked about 10 feet from the spout and quickly filled up three glass bottles.
The only strange thing about it was the flow regularly increased and decreased every minute or two. The flow probably doubled or tripled during the increase. Does anyone know what the story is there? It didn’t strike me as something that would happen naturally, but I’m no aquifer expert.
maybe its actually a well. And the pump is on its way out…. lmao!!!!
Is the Spring still open now in January to go and fill up?
Yes, it’s open, the gatehouse is closed, so there is no admission, just drive through the gatehouse and take the first left. The spring is on the right.
Just visited this spring for the first time. TDS reading was 47, temp 14c, ph near 6(used strips)
alrighty.. i'm going to give it another shot.. going there today to fill some bottles and see what I get 🙂
There is no fee if you go off season or off hours. The gatehouse is closed between Labor Day and Memorial Day and after 4pm during the summer. I've never had to pay to get water.
I have not encountered the scale Scott refers to and Ive been getting water there for months, and done such a test. I also know a few local residents who for years now get their water here with no such result. its still one of the areas best kept secrets.
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awesome place…this water is amazing and the place is wonderful to visit.
My favorite spot to get water! Close to home.
Went to this spring in the Fall of 2022 and the flow was very fast, there were a few cars waiting after me when I arrived on a weekday afternoon, so it’s relatively popular. You can pull up basically right next to the spout and fill up. The park itself conducts tests on this water on a quarterly basis. You can request for them to send you these results. It wasn’t drinkable for me though bc I got stomach cramps and upset stomach from it.
Greetings, I was there yesterday the tds was coming out at 30ppm and ph was around 6.5. I am curious what the large building behind the spouts are for? If anyone is familiar with this spring please let me know. The water did taste good and is coming out really cold which is a great sign. I would like to know more about the spring and if it has ever been tested for mineral content/contaminants?
I went to this spring on 1/1/18. Make sure once you enter the park, you take the road to the left. I went the wrong way and had a hard time finding the spring initially.
At home, my TDS read at 0045 ppm. It was a very cold day but the water felt fairly warm. It tastes amazing.
Was here today. TDS was 42. Didn’t check the temp, but it was cold. Really really great taste. Best I’ve found so far (I mostly gather in NY). When you go into the park go past the toll house and the surrounding parking lot. Make the first left on to a road. It will be on your right. You can pull your car right up to it and there is plenty of room though there will likely be other people. It’s a popular spring.
Hello. When was the last time anyone checked the fluoride (or lack of, hopefully) content?
I just did a water test on it and everything tested perfectly
Hi Monika, could you kindly share what water testing lab you used ?
What was the level of Fluoride ?
thank you Monika
FYI: The fluoride that occurs naturally in water is the compound they did the cavity studies on, and it is not toxic. Naturally occurring fluoride NOT the same toxic fluoride compound they ADD to many city water supplies which is a byproduct of the aluminum industry, and they wanted it put in water so they didn’t have to pay to get rid of it as toxic waste. It is poisonous, which is why many tubes of toothpaste come with a warning to call poison control if you swallow more than a pea sized amount. It is toxic to the brain and causes cancer. I would hope this water only has the naturally occurring fluoride which I believe is Calcium Fluoride, and the toxic fluoride is sodium fluoride.
Hi Monika, would you be able to share the test? My email is phoffman1988@gmail.com … looking for level of fluoride, heavy metals, etc. thanks!
Yes, Please post results of water test. Thank you.
Has any one did a test on this water to see if this water has a heavy metal such as Lead……ect are at safe levels. Thank you
do you have to boil the spring water?
I never have.
We traveled 2hrs for NYC just to get to this Spring and it was worth the trip. We talk to many of the locals that have been drinking out of here for ages. They even took us to Sunrise Mountain Scenic Overlook. All the info about this Spring is correct. The best water ever.
Went earlier in the week to fill up a bunch of glass jugs but for some reason one of the spouts was closed up. It is just amazing that I can go anytime–day or night–to get this refreshing cold water!
There are two spouts now, so getting water is so much easier. This water is great! And this website is awesome, thanks for the information!
Just went for the first time and filled a bunch of jugs! Beautiful park and amazing water! I couldn’t be more excited! Cars were lined up to fill up! We asked the park lady about the water and she said people travel just to fill up from there. She said the same people are always coming back too.. What a treasure is right!
Just went back the other day…36 ppm on the TDS meter, and so cold. It feels so good to be drinking that water again. Its free to enter the park until memorial day! Sometimes the flow would be really strong and then it would weaken a bit…this water definitely isnt pumped. What a treasure…
I agree, Anthony !! My wife & went up for the first time today, as our long-time spring in Mine Hill is closed (at least for now) in the wake of the owner’s passing. Hoping that Mine Hill Twp buys the spring, as the mayor hopes they will be able to.