You probably think of New Jersey as a landscape of turnpike exits and suburban sprawl. Most people do. But if you drive far enough north—past the diners and the strip malls—you hit the Kittatinny Mountains. This is where you find High Point State Park. It’s the literal ceiling of the Garden State. At 1,803 feet above sea level, it doesn't sound like much compared to the Rockies, but when you’re standing there looking out over the Delaware River, it feels massive.
It’s high. Really high for Jersey.
The park covers over 15,000 acres of land that feels more like Vermont than anything near the Lincoln Tunnel. Honestly, the air even smells different up there. It’s a mix of hemlock needles and damp moss. Most folks just drive up to the monument, take a selfie, and leave. They’re missing the point. To actually understand why this place matters, you have to get off the paved road.
The Monument and the View You Didn't Expect
Let's talk about that giant obelisk first. It's the High Point Monument. If it looks familiar, it’s because it was modeled after the Washington Monument. Completed in 1930, it was a gift from the Kuser family—specifically Anthony and Susie Dryden Kuser—who wanted to honor war veterans. It’s made of New Hampshire granite and local quartzite.
If you have the lungs for it, you can climb the 220 steps to the top. It’s cramped. It’s narrow. But the view from the small windows at the peak is wild. On a clear day, you can see three states at once: New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. You can see the winding silver ribbon of the Delaware River and the rolling ridges of the Poconos. It’s a 360-degree panorama that puts the geography of the Tri-State area into perspective.
Sometimes, the wind up there is so strong it whistles through the stones. It’s eerie but cool.
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Why High Point State Park Isn't Your Average Walk in the Woods
If you’re a hiker, you know the Appalachian Trail (AT). About 18 miles of the AT cut right through the heart of High Point State Park. This isn't just some flat stroll. You’re dealing with rocky terrain, sudden elevation shifts, and the occasional black bear sighting.
Speaking of bears, they live here. A lot of them. If you’re visiting, don't be that person who leaves a cooler of hot dogs on the picnic table while they go for a swim in Lake Marcia. You’ll come back to a very happy bear and a very destroyed car. It’s their house; we’re just visiting.
The Cedar Swamp Trail is arguably the best "hidden" gem in the park. It’s an easy loop, mostly on a wooden boardwalk, but it takes you through an Atlantic White Cedar swamp. This is an ecosystem that shouldn't really exist at this altitude. It feels prehistoric. The trees are twisted, the ground is a sponge of sphagnum moss, and the light filters through the canopy in a way that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a fantasy novel. It’s quiet. Properly quiet.
Lake Marcia: The Spring-Fed Secret
Right at the base of the monument hill sits Lake Marcia. It’s 20 acres of spring-fed water that stays remarkably cold even in the middle of a humid Jersey July. There's a beach area, lifeguards, and a bathhouse. It’s one of the few places in the state where you can swim while looking up at a massive stone monument looming over the treeline.
The water quality is usually top-tier because of the elevation and the lack of runoff. However, keep an eye on the state park's social media or website before you go. Occasionally, they have to close the beach for maintenance or staffing issues, which is a total bummer if you’ve driven two hours to get there.
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The Real History Most Visitors Miss
A lot of people think the park was always just public land. It wasn't. Back in the early 1900s, this was a private estate. The Kusers had a massive "summer cottage" here—which was really more of a mansion—called High Point Lodge. They eventually donated the land to the state in 1923 because they wanted to preserve the beauty of the Kittatinny Ridge.
During the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) moved in. These guys were the unsung heroes of the park system. They built the roads, the trails, and the stone structures that still stand today. When you see a perfectly fitted stone wall or a sturdy picnic pavilion, you’re looking at the handiwork of young men from nearly a century ago who were just trying to earn a paycheck and a hot meal.
There’s a sense of permanence here.
Survival Guide: What You Need to Know Before You Go
Don't just plug the coordinates into your GPS and assume you're good. Here is the reality of visiting High Point State Park:
- Entry Fees: In the summer, there’s a vehicle entrance fee. It’s usually around $5 to $10 for NJ residents and more for out-of-staters. In the winter, it’s often free to drive in, but the monument might be closed.
- Cell Service: It’s spotty. Really spotty. Download your maps for offline use before you hit the park entrance. If you get lost on a back trail, your phone might just be a very expensive paperweight.
- The Weather Factor: It’s always about 5 to 10 degrees colder at the summit than it is in nearby Sussex or Wantage. If it’s a breezy day in town, it’s a gale-force wind at the monument. Bring a hoodie. Seriously.
- Winter Sports: Most people forget this place exists once the leaves fall. Big mistake. This is one of the best spots in the state for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. They even have a dedicated winter sports center.
The Misconception About "Easy" Hiking
People see "State Park" and think "Park." Like, with swings and slides. While there is a playground, the trails are legitimate wilderness. The Monument Trail (the red-blazed one) is roughly 3.7 miles and involves some steep, rocky climbs. If you’re wearing flip-flops, you’re going to have a bad time. Wear actual shoes with grip. Your ankles will thank you.
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Also, the park is part of a larger greenway. It connects to Stokes State Forest to the south. You could theoretically hike for days without seeing a paved road. It’s easy to get turned around if you aren't paying attention to the blazes on the trees. Blue is the Cedar Swamp, Red is the Monument, White is the AT. Stick to the colors.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you’re planning a trip to High Point State Park, do it right. Don't just wing it.
- Arrive Early: On weekends in October (peak foliage), the parking lots fill up by 11:00 AM. If the lot is full, the rangers will turn you away at the gate. Be the early bird.
- Pack a Real Meal: The concession stand by the lake is hit-or-miss depending on the season. There aren't many places to grab food once you’re deep in the park. Hit a deli in Sussex on your way in and grab a Jersey Taylor Ham (or pork roll, let's not fight) sandwich.
- Check the Monument Schedule: The monument isn't open every day. Usually, it's open on weekends and holidays during the late spring through autumn. If your heart is set on climbing to the top, call the park office at (973) 875-4800 to confirm it’s actually open.
- Visit the Interpretive Center: It’s located near the entrance. Most people skip it, but it has great exhibits on the local geology and the CCC history. It gives the landscape much more context.
- Leave No Trace: This sounds like a cliché, but the park has seen a massive uptick in visitors lately. Take your trash with you. The bears don't need your granola bar wrappers, and neither do the hemlock trees.
The beauty of this place is its ruggedness. It’s a reminder that New Jersey is more than just a corridor between New York and Philly. It’s a place of ridges, deep swamps, and views that actually make you stop talking for a second. Go for the monument, but stay for the silence. You’ll realize pretty quickly that being at the highest point in the state isn't just about the elevation; it's about getting above the noise of everyday life.
For your next steps, check the official New Jersey State Park Service website for current alerts regarding trail closures or water quality at Lake Marcia. If you're planning a hike on the Appalachian Trail section, ensure you have a physical topographic map, as digital GPS can be unreliable in the Kittatinny valleys. Reach out to the High Point Interpretive Center to inquire about guided nature walks, which are frequently offered during the spring and autumn months to explain the unique flora of the Atlantic White Cedar swamp.