You know that feeling when the Garden State Parkway starts looking like a parking lot and the stress of North Jersey life begins to sit right in the base of your skull? Most people think New Jersey is just one giant turnpike exit. Honestly, they’re wrong. If you live here, you know the "real" North Jersey is actually tucked away in the corners of Sussex, Passaic, and Warren counties, where the asphalt curves around glacial lakes and the elevation actually makes your ears pop.
Finding scenic drives North Jersey locals swear by isn't just about looking at a map. It’s about knowing which backroads have the best farm stands and which ones will actually lead you to a view that doesn't include a New York City skyline (though those are cool too).
Let's be real: North Jersey is rugged. It’s the Highlands. It’s the Kittatinny Ridge. It’s where the Appalachian Trail cuts through the dirt. Driving here should feel like an adventure, not a commute.
The Old Mine Road Experience: It’s Kinda Spooky and Totally Beautiful
If you want to feel like you’ve traveled back to the 1600s, you head to Old Mine Road. This is arguably one of the oldest continuously used roads in the United States. It stretches along the Delaware River within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
It’s not a fast drive. Don't even try to rush it.
The road is narrow. Sometimes it’s bumpy. You’ll pass stone houses that have been standing since before the Revolutionary War. There’s a specific vibe here—a mix of deep history and slightly eerie isolation. You’re driving through the trees, with the river peaking through on your left, and suddenly you realize you haven't seen another car in twenty minutes. That’s rare in Jersey.
Why this route matters
Most people stick to the main overlooks on I-80, but Old Mine Road gives you access to places like Millbrook Village. It’s a reconstructed 19th-century hamlet. It isn't a "tourist trap" in the traditional sense; it’s more of a quiet, living museum. If you keep heading north toward the Montague area, the forest thickens. You might see a black bear. Seriously, keep your windows up if you’re snacking. According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Sussex County has one of the highest black bear densities in the country.
Route 519: The Backbone of Horse Country
When people ask for scenic drives North Jersey recommendations that feel "pastoral," I always point them to Route 519. It runs almost the entire length of the western edge of the state.
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Starting up near Wantage and heading south toward Hope and beyond, the landscape shifts from rocky ridges to rolling hills. This is where the mansions have barns and the fences are all white-washed wood.
It’s basically the Vermont of New Jersey.
You'll pass through places like Colesville and Plumsock. There’s a specific stretch near the Space Farms Zoo and Museum—which is a whole other kind of Jersey landmark—where the fields just open up. You get these massive, panoramic views of the High Point Monument in the distance.
- Stop at a farm stand.
- Watch for tractors; they have the right of way, and they aren't moving for your SUV.
- Look for the intersections where the old general stores still stand.
The beauty of 519 is its length. You can jump on it in Sussex and ride it all the way down into Warren County, watching the geology change as the mountains soften into the Musconetcong Valley.
Why Everyone Forgets About Skyline Drive and the Wanaque Reservoir
Everyone knows the Palisades Interstate Parkway. It's iconic. But if you want something that feels more like a mountain pass, you go to Ringwood and hit Skyline Drive.
This road is a literal rollercoaster.
It connects Ringwood to Oakland, cutting right through the Ramapo Mountains. The elevation gain is sharp. As you climb, you get these brief, stunning glimpses of the Wanaque Reservoir below. On a clear day, at certain "secret" pull-offs, you can actually see the Manhattan skyline perfectly framed by the trees. It’s a weird contrast. Wild, rugged forest in the foreground and the densest city on earth on the horizon.
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The technical side of the drive
The curves on Skyline Drive are no joke. If you’re a motorcyclist or someone who actually enjoys the mechanics of driving, this is your spot. But be careful. The local police are very aware that people like to speed here, and the deer population is, frankly, out of control. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety often notes that deer-vehicle collisions peak in the fall, and Skyline Drive is prime territory for that.
Clinton Road: More Than Just Ghost Stories
You can’t talk about scenic drives North Jersey without mentioning Clinton Road in West Milford. It has a reputation. People call it the most haunted road in America. They talk about ghost trucks, professional hitmen dumping bodies in the woods (which, okay, actually happened once in the 80s), and a "ghost boy" under the bridge at Dead Man’s Curve.
But if you strip away the urban legends? It’s just a gorgeous, ten-mile stretch of nothing.
No houses. No stores. Just the Newark Watershed woods and the reservoir.
The road is dark even in the middle of the day because the tree canopy is so thick. It’s peaceful in a way that’s almost heavy. If you drive it during the autumn, the colors are incredible because the water reflects the oranges and reds of the maples.
- The Iron Furnace: Stop and look at the remains of the Clinton Ironworks.
- The Reservoir: There are several spots to pull over and just stare at the water.
- The Pace: It’s a 35 mph zone for a reason. The curves are tight and the road surface can be unpredictable.
Route 23 North to High Point State Park
Route 23 starts off as a typical, busy highway in Wayne and Pequannock. It’s all strip malls and traffic lights. But keep going. Once you pass through Butler and start climbing into West Milford and Newfoundland, the road transforms.
By the time you hit Sussex County, you’re looking at massive rock cuts and deep valleys.
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The "peak" of this drive—literally—is High Point State Park. At 1,803 feet above sea level, it’s the highest point in New Jersey. The drive up the park road to the monument is spectacular. You aren't just looking at Jersey; you’re looking at New York and Pennsylvania simultaneously.
The breeze up there feels different. It’s cooler. Crisper.
It’s a reminder that New Jersey isn't just a suburb. It’s a state with legitimate wilderness.
The Misconception About "Scenic" in Jersey
A lot of people think a scenic drive has to be a perfectly paved loop with a gift shop at the end. In North Jersey, scenic often means "weathered." It means roads that follow the path of least resistance through the mountains.
We have the Highlands Act, which protects a huge portion of this land from overdevelopment. That’s why these drives still exist. If you look at the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act of 2004, it basically froze large swaths of Passaic and Bergen counties in time. That’s a win for us. It means the "scenic" part of the drive isn't going to turn into a condo complex anytime soon.
Tips for the road
- Check your brakes. The descents in the Delaware Water Gap and the Ramapos can be taxing on older vehicles.
- Download maps offline. Cell service is notoriously spotty on Old Mine Road and deep in the Newark Watershed.
- Timing is everything. If you go on a Sunday in October, you will be stuck behind "leaf-peepers" from the city. Try a Tuesday morning if you can swing it.
Final Thoughts on Exploring the North
Taking these drives isn't about getting from Point A to Point B. It’s about decompressing.
You start to notice the little things. The way the light hits the moss on the rock faces along Route 206. The smell of woodsmoke from the cabins near Stokes State Forest. The sudden drop in temperature when you enter a hemlock grove.
North Jersey is complicated. It’s crowded and intense, but it also has these incredible pockets of silence. You just have to be willing to burn a little gas to find them.
What to do next
If you're planning your trip, start by picking one "anchor" location like High Point or the Delaware Water Gap. Check the local weather—mountain weather in Sussex County can be ten degrees colder than in Newark. Make sure your gas tank is full before you leave the main highways, as gas stations become surprisingly rare once you’re deep into the Kittatinny Ridge. Pack a physical map just in case, and honestly, just drive. Turn off the GPS for a bit and see where the curves take you.