Stokes State Forest
Appalachian Trail views, Tillman Ravine, and free spring water across 16,447 Sussex County acres
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At a glance
- Sunrise Mountain summit at 1,653 feet with sweeping Kittatinny Valley and Delaware River views
- Tillman Ravine's hemlock gorge, small waterfalls, and fern-lined trails along Tillman Brook
- Free natural artesian spring water, cold and flowing year round, with easy-fill spigots for jugs and carboys
Inside Stokes State Forest
Governor Edward Stokes handed the state 500 acres of Kittatinny Mountain in 1907. That donation grew into Stokes State Forest, 16,447 acres spread across Sandyston, Montague, and Frankford townships with more than 63 miles of marked trail inside it. The forest runs the spine of the ridge from the southern edge of High Point State Park southwest toward the Delaware Water Gap, which makes it the largest stretch of public woods in Sussex County.
Sunrise Mountain and the Appalachian Trail
A 12.5-mile section of the Appalachian Trail follows the Kittatinny Mountain ridge through the forest, and Sunrise Mountain is where most people meet it. The overlook sits around 1,650 feet, with a stone-and-timber shelter at the top, farmland rolling east and ridge after ridge stacking west toward Pennsylvania. Sunrise Mountain Road gets you nearly to the summit from mid-April through mid-December. It gates shut for winter, so cold-weather visitors walk the last stretch.
Tillman Ravine, Kittle Field, and Stony Lake
Tillman Ravine Natural Area is 525 acres of an entirely different forest: a cold, dim cut where Tillman Brook drops through eastern hemlock old growth and barred owls nest. Kittle Field is the family end of things, with a reservable 120-person pavilion, playground, and a ball field across the road. Stony Lake has 45 picnic tables with grills and flush toilets on site. Swimming is not permitted there or at any lake in Stokes, so plan on a picnic and trout fishing rather than a beach day.
The Free Spring Water Fill Station
For plenty of visitors, this is the whole reason for the trip. A natural artesian spring feeds a public fill station in the forest, running cold and continuous all year, with spigots positioned so five-gallon jugs actually fit underneath. It costs nothing. Weekends bring a steady line of cars with trunks full of carboys, so go early: get there by 7:30 or 8 a.m. on a Saturday and you are in and out in ten minutes. Bring more containers than you planned to. Everybody does the second time.
Fees, Seasons, and Access
Entrance fees are collected from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day at the booth near the park office off Route 206. The rest of the year, parking is free. Trails stay open in every season, and the forest is one of the county’s better fall foliage destinations once the ridge turns in October.
FAQ
Is the spring water at Stokes State Forest free?
Yes, the artesian spring fill station at Stokes State Forest is completely free to use. The spring runs cold and continuously year round, and the spigots are set at a height that makes filling large jugs and carboys straightforward.
What time should I gget water to the Stokes spring to avoid a line?
Arrive between 7 and 8 a.m., especially on weekends. The fill station gets heavy traffic on Saturdays and Sundays, with people filling multiple five-gallon containers, so an early start usually means no wait at all.
Can you swim at Stony Lake in Stokes State Forest?
No, swimming is no longer permitted at Stony Lake or any other lake in Stokes State Forest. The Stony Lake area is a day-use picnic spot with 45 tables, grills, restrooms, and a reservable pavilion, and the lake is stocked for fishing.
How much does it cost to get into Stokes State Forest?
Entrance fees apply only from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, collected at the booth near the park office. Fees are lower for New Jersey vehicles than out-of-state ones, and weekday rates are lower than weekends. Access is free the rest of the year.
Is Sunrise Mountain Road open all year?
No. Sunrise Mountain Road, along with Crigger, Grau, and Struble roads, closes seasonally from December 15 through April 15, or earlier in hazardous weather. In winter you can still reach the overlook on foot from the lower parking areas.
More to explore near Sandyston
Peters Valley School of Craft
A nationally known craft school hidden inside the Delaware Water Gap.
Sussex County Sunflower Maze
Over a million sunflowers in bloom each late summer at Liberty Farm.
Angry Erik Brewing
Great beer, a lively beer garden, and a dog wagging its tail at every other table.
Twin Soles Brewing
Two paths. One dream. Exceptional craft beer in the heart of Sussex County.
