Cushetunk Mountain, or “place of hogs,” may not sound like a scenic beauty but Clinton Township, home to this natural wonder, now the heart of Round Valley Reservoir, is known for its spectacular landscapes and open space. Spanning over 33 square miles (33.823 sq mi or 87.603 km2) and home to over 13,000 residents (2010 census), much of Clinton Township’s land is still used for agricultural purposes and is protected against future development thanks to the Highlands Preservation Act or participation in the Farmland Preservation program.

Outdoor exploration is the key to enjoying all that this wonderful township has to offer. The South Branch of the Raritan River, which runs through the Clinton area, is stocked with rainbow, brook, and brown trout if you “find your zen” in the river. Round Valley and Spruce Run Recreation areas offer a variety of park activities which include picnicking and camping, hiking trails, fishing, boating, swimming, and scuba diving (that’s right, scuba diving!).

If you’re craving a bite to eat, locals rave about the thin crust pizza at Cryan’s Tavern in Annandale and Riley and Jake’s Restaurant in Clinton is well-known as a family-friendly restaurant with a great outdoor patio and entertainment in the summer.

When it’s time to hit the books, the Clinton Township School District provides education for residents of Clinton Township in pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade at four district schools. Spruce Run Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-Kindergarten to one and is located at 27 Belvidere Ave in Clinton. Patrick McGaheran School (2-3) located at 63 Allerton Road, Lebanon, Round Valley School (4-6) located at 128 Cokesbury Road, Lebanon, and Clinton Township Middle School (7-8) located 34 Grayrock Road, Clinton round out the remaining Clinton Township Schools. Public school students residing in Clinton Township and the Town of Clinton grades 9-12 attend North Hunterdon High School, a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, located at 1445 Rt 31 in Annandale.

Other area schools include The Willow School, a small independent coeducational day school for students preschool through eighth grade, Gill St. Bernards, a private, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory day school, and The Purnell School, a progressive private all-girls boarding high school. Additionally, Immaculate Conception School, located at 314 Old Allerton Road in Annandale, is a private school option for students in pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade. The school operates under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen and received the National Blue Ribbon Award of Academic Excellence in 2013.

If commuting to work is more your thing, by car, Clinton is easily accessible from major highways and approximately 70 minutes from NYC, 45 minutes from Newark, and 55 minutes from Trenton. Nearby train stations include Annandale (100 minutes to NYC), High Bridge (120 minutes to NYC), and Lebanon (100 minutes to NYC).

Clinton Township, convenient and picturesque, is undoubtedly a New Jersey gem. If you’re looking for some inner peace and a place to call home, you’ve come to the right place!