Take a day trip to any of New Jersey’s beautiful state parks and you won’t be disappointed. From Norvin Green down to Wharton, fall is a wonderful time of the year for a hike. You’ll enjoy cooler weather and colorful foliage! Plus, you’ll often avoid the summer crowds, who come for other activities including swimming and camping. Still, if we had to choose just one state park to visit in the fall, it would be High Point.
High Point State Park is home to beautiful lake beaches, a striking monument, miles of hiking trails, and so much more. It’s a gem, all year long.
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Home to the highest point in New Jersey, hence the name, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of three states (New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania) from 1,803 feet above sea level.
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Take in rolling hills, forests, farmland, and lush valleys for miles. On a clear day, you can see for up to 100 miles!
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And in the fall, that means 100 miles of color! Enjoy shades of red, orange, and yellow before the leaves fall off the trees.
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There are a variety of trails to choose from ranging from 1/2-mile to 18 miles in length. You can also access the Appalachian Trail from the park.
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If you’re looking for an easy, scenic, family-friendly hike, consider the Ayers Trail.
TomH2323/Flickr The black-blazed trail comes in at around a mile. It’s a mostly level multiuse trail that will take hikers through oak, hickory, maple, and ash forests and pastures with lilacs and rosebushes. You’ll start near Sawmill Lake and journey to the ruins of the former Ayers Farm. You can still see stone foundations.
But maybe you don’t want to hike at all, or maybe you’re unable. You can enjoy a scenic drive along the aptly named Scenic Drive, can park near Lake Marcia and enjoy the views, or you can take a car up to the monument parking area and enjoy picturesque paved overlooks.
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The park is, at least to some extent, wheelchair accessible. You can contact the park office for more information at (973) 875-4800. For more fall fun in New Jersey, check out our newest scenic drive, The Cranberry Trail.
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The black-blazed trail comes in at around a mile. It’s a mostly level multiuse trail that will take hikers through oak, hickory, maple, and ash forests and pastures with lilacs and rosebushes. You’ll start near Sawmill Lake and journey to the ruins of the former Ayers Farm. You can still see stone foundations.
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Address: High Point State Park, 1480 NJ-23, Sussex, NJ 07461, USA
