High Point State Park

High Point State Park At A Glance...

• 50 miles of multi-use trails
• Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dogsledding and snowmobiling are allowed throughout the park
• The monument is open on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend until Columbus Day
• Todays Sunrise: 6:32 am,   Sunset: 7:19 pm  
• New Jersey Skylands Region Sussex County

• Activities:

  • Equestrian / Horseback
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
    Rugged trails/ The AT passes through the park
  • Hunting
  • Jogging / Running
  • Mountain Bike
  • Paddling - Kayak, Canoe, row boat
  • Playing in the playground
  • Skiing / Snowboarding
  • Swimming
  • Picnicking
  • Walking

  Amenities:

  • Bathrooms
  • Beach
  • Boat launch
  • Parking Lot(s)
  • Boat launch - Car Top Only
  • Nature / Environmental Center
  • Picnic / Sitting Area
  • Benches
  • Grills / Firering
  • Picnic shelter(s)
  • Picnic tables
  • Playground
  • Monument

  Trails:

  • Boardwalks
  • Flat / Easy
    Some easy trails near the monument
  • Some are challenging
  • Rugged / Rocky
    Most trails rugged / advanced
  • Dirt
  • Walking Paths

  Park Type:

  • State Parks
  • Park (General)
  • Playground
  • Scenic Areas (overlooks/waterfalls)

  Rules/Regulations:

  • Alcohol *NOT Permitted*
  • Entrance Fee

Contact / Location

A Brief History

The land for High Point State Park, donated by Colonel Anthony R. and Susie Dryden Kuser, was dedicated as a park in 1923. The pleasant landscaping was designed by the Olmsted Brothers of Boston, a prominent landscape architectural firm of that time. The brothers were the sons of the eminent Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed Central Park.

Trail & Path Info

With over 50 miles of trails, High Point State Park offers visitors a variety of trail options throughout the year, Designated multiple-use trails are available for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, dogsledding and snowmobiling. Trails vary in length from one half-mile to 18 miles and take visitors through unique and diverse landscapes including an Atlantic white cedar swamp, mountain ridge tops with 360-degree views, dense forests, fields and wetlands.

Things to See & Do

High Point Monument

The monument was built through the generosity of the Kusers, in honor of all war veterans. Construction was started in 1928 and completed in 1930. At the top of the 220-foot structure, observers have a breathtaking view of the ridges of the Pocono Mountains toward the west, the Catskill Mountains to the north and the Wallkill River Valley in the southeast.

Monument: You can access the location of the monument during regular park hours (weather permitting in the winter due to road conditions). If you would like to enter the monument with the option to climb to the top, it is open on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend until Columbus Day. it is always best to call the park to double-check on this.

Admission & Guidelines

The park is spread out across hundreds of acres in Northern New Jersey. Though most of the park itself can be accessed without paying a fee, getting to the monument, main picnic areas, and swimming lake (Lake Marcia), require that you pay an entrance fee to drive in. Since it is hard to keep this fee up to date on our site here, I say that it ranges from $5 to $20, that non-residents pay a different amount than NJ residents, and to check the main High Point page managed by the state to specific pricing.

There are 2 locations in the park where boating is allowed: Sawmill Lake and Steenykill Lake (map). Boating is permitted subject to New Jersey's boating regulations and NJ State Park Service rules. There is no boat launching fee at these locations.

Hours / Season of Operation

Park Gate 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Park Office 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., open until 6:00 pm on Fridays
Monument interior: 8:30 am to 3:45 pm, Saturday and Sunday, staff permitting

Parking

There are many parking lots within the park for biking, hiking, swimming, walking to the monument.

Below are a few groups that we have connected to High Point State Park. If we are missing any, please let us know

• Jersey Off Road Biking Association (JORBA.org)
• Friends of High Point State Park
• New Jersey State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites