Swartswood State Park
New Jersey's first state park, built around a 519-acre glacial lake just west of Newton
Category
Parks & Trails
Sussex County is full of places to get outside, and this collection of 11 parks and trails covers the range, from High Point State Park to the peaceful walk through Tillman Ravine at Stokes State Forest. Whether you want a lakeside stroll at Swartswood State Park or a longer trek on the Stairway to Heaven Trail, you’ll find the basics here to help you plan your next visit.
High Point State Park
New Jersey's highest ground, a 220-foot monument, and 50 miles of Kittatinny ridge trail.
Kittatinny Valley State Park
Four glacial lakes, 11 trails and 55 miles of rail trail, all free, all year, in Andover Township
Stokes State Forest
Appalachian Trail views, Tillman Ravine, and free spring water across 16,447 Sussex County acres
Tillman Ravine at Stokes State Forest
The Tea Cup, old hemlocks, and a cold brook: Tillman Ravine packs a lot into one mile
Part of Stokes State Forest
Pochuck Boardwalk
The Appalachian Trail's longest boardwalk, an easy mile over Vernon's swampy Pochuck Quagmire
Sussex Branch Trail
Sussex County's 20-mile rail trail, from Waterloo Road in Byram to Branchville, free all year
Part of Kittatinny Valley State Park
Hopatcong State Park
Swim, fish, and walk the Morris Canal dam at Hopatcong State Park on NJ's biggest lake
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
70,000 acres of river, ridge, and waterfalls anchoring the county's western edge.
Rutan Hill (Beemerville Volcano)
Rutan Hill volcano is the eroded throat of an eruption older than the Atlantic Ocean
Wawayanda State Park
Wawayanda State Park packs 60 miles of trails, a glacial lake and a sand beach into one wild corner
Stairway to Heaven Trail
Stone steps up Wawayanda Mountain to Pinwheel Vista, the best panorama in Vernon Valley
Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge
Trails, marsh and river birding across 6,000+ acres at the Wallkill River Refuge in Sussex NJ
Paulinskill Valley Rail Trail
A 27-mile former rail line offering one of the region's longest flat trails.
Buttermilk Falls (Walpack Township)
New Jersey's tallest waterfall, cascading through a Delaware Water Gap gorge near Layton
Part of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
