High Point State Park Guide
High Point State Park occupies 16,303 acres in the northwest corner of New Jersey, at the tip of the Kittatinny Ridge where it nears the New York border. The park sits on New Jersey's highest terrain: the summit at 1,803 feet is the state high point, and the park's ridgeline gives views into three states on clear days. The New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry manages the park, which was donated to the state in 1923 by Colonel Anthony Kuser and his wife Susie, who also funded and oversaw construction of the High Point Monument on the summit.
The monument is the most recognizable feature in the park and one of the more distinctive landmarks in New Jersey's outdoors. The 220-foot granite obelisk was built between 1928 and 1930 as a memorial to New Jersey veterans of all wars, modeled loosely on the Washington Monument. It is visible from farmland and highways across Sussex County, and from the summit platform inside, the three-state view extends into Pennsylvania to the west, New York to the north and east, and south along the Kittatinny Ridge into Stokes State Forest. The monument is open seasonally for climbing; the official site has current access hours.
What to Expect
High Point is not a large park, but the terrain it covers spans a significant elevation range. The valley areas around Lake Marcia and the campground sit below 1,400 feet, while the ridge crest at the Monument climbs to 1,803 feet. The terrain is a combination of the exposed granite and pitch pine of the Kittatinny Ridge and the sheltered hardwood forests in the valleys below. The Appalachian Trail runs through the park along the ridge, connecting it southward to Stokes State Forest and northward toward the Delaware River crossing at Port Jervis.
One of the more ecologically interesting features in the park is the Cedar Swamp. Atlantic white cedar bogs typically occur at sea level or in coastal lowlands, but the Cedar Swamp at High Point sits on the Kittatinny Ridge plateau at nearly 1,600 feet, an unusually high elevation for this community. The bog formed in a shallow depression in the ridge, and it supports sphagnum moss, rare orchids, and the characteristic cedar canopy. A boardwalk crosses it on the Cedar Swamp Trail, keeping visitors on the surface while protecting the bog mat below.
The park is a genuine three-season destination. Summer centers on Lake Marcia and the Monument. Fall is the prime hiking window, when the three-state view from the summit is framed by foliage on the lower slopes and the Monument's obelisk catches the low October light. Winter brings cross-country skiers and snowshoers to the ridge; the park's flat sections above the valley make it one of the better Nordic destinations in northern New Jersey when there is sufficient snow cover.
Wildlife reflects the ridge-and-valley setting. Black bears are present; standard food storage practices apply at campsites. The Cedar Swamp attracts wood warblers and other wetland-dependent birds in spring and fall migration. The open ridge offers good hawk-watching in September and October, when the Kittatinny ridge is a known raptor migration corridor.
Best Trails
Monument Trail to High Point Summit
1.5 mi, Out-and-Back, Easy-Moderate
The Monument Trail starts from the Monument parking area and climbs steadily through oak and pitch pine to the summit plateau at 1,803 feet. The obelisk dominates the summit area, rising an additional 220 feet above the ridge. The actual high point of New Jersey is marked on the ground adjacent to the monument base. The trail itself is not technically demanding but gains meaningful elevation from the trailhead. On a clear day, the views from the open summit extend to the Catskills to the north, the Delaware River valley to the west, and south along the Kittatinny Ridge toward the Delaware Water Gap.
The monument interior is open seasonally (approximately late May through Labor Day as of 2026); the 291-step climb inside the obelisk leads to a narrow view platform. The vertical exposure at the top is significant: this is something to consider for visitors with strong acrophobia. The exterior summit views are available year-round regardless of monument hours.
Appalachian Trail (High Point Section)
5.0 mi, One-Way, Moderate
The AT enters High Point from the south (from Stokes State Forest) and runs north through the park, exiting toward the Delaware River at the New Jersey-New York border near Port Jervis. The trail crosses the Monument summit area, passes through the Cedar Swamp corridor, and offers consistent ridge views throughout its High Point section. Most visitors use the Monument parking area or the Lake Marcia area as access points and do an out-and-back section rather than the full one-way traverse.
Southbound hikers continuing to Stokes should note that the combined High Point plus Stokes AT section is about 16 miles; this is a good one-night backpacking route with car shuttles at each end. Stokes shelters and campsites are available with reservations.
Cedar Swamp Trail
3.5 mi, Loop, Easy
The Cedar Swamp loop accesses one of the park's most ecologically distinctive features: an Atlantic white cedar bog sitting at ridge-top elevation. The boardwalk section crosses the bog mat, which is essentially a floating layer of sphagnum moss over water and saturated peat. The cedar trees in the swamp are not large by forest standards but their density and the distinctive light quality under their canopy make the experience memorable. In late May and early June, rare orchids bloom in the surrounding wet areas. The loop extends beyond the boardwalk through upland forest before returning to the trailhead.
Iris Trail
2.0 mi, Loop, Easy
The Iris Trail circles Lake Marcia, the park's main swimming lake, through mixed forest with periodic water views. This is the most accessible trail in the park for families and visitors with limited mobility, with relatively flat terrain and a well-maintained path. The trail provides access to the lake shore at multiple points and connects to the park's campground area.
When to Visit
Fall (mid-September through mid-October) is the peak season for the summit and ridge views. Foliage in the Kittatinny Ridge valleys turns color between late September and mid-October, and the combination of the three-state panorama and autumn color from the Monument summit is the most rewarding single experience the park offers. Crowds are significant on Columbus Day weekend; midweek visits in early October offer the same foliage with a fraction of the people.
Summer (late June through August) is swimming season. Lake Marcia is the main draw for many visitors, and the park sees its highest use from late June through Labor Day. The Monument is open for climbing during this window. Heat at the summit is moderated by elevation and ridge breezes, making it a more comfortable hiking destination than lower-elevation parks on hot days.
Spring (May through early June) brings the Cedar Swamp orchids and spring wildflowers on the lower slopes. The monument typically opens for the season in late May. Mud on lower trails through April and into early May is a factor.
Winter is a legitimate season at High Point for cross-country skiers and snowshoers. The flat plateau sections above the valley hold snow well, and the park maintains some groomed Nordic skiing when conditions allow. The monument closes for the winter season, but the summit trail and ridge remain accessible on foot. Check the park website for current conditions and facility status in winter.
Getting There and Logistics
High Point State Park is on Route 23 in Sussex County, accessible from New York City via Route 23 northwest (about 1 hour 40 minutes from Manhattan). The Monument parking area is directly off Route 23. Lake Marcia and the campground are accessed via the park road off Route 23 near the park office.
The nearest commercial airport is Newark Liberty (EWR), about 65 miles southeast. Stewart International Airport (SWF) in New York is about 30 miles northeast, depending on your route. The park is car-dependent; no transit serves it.
Day-use parking fees apply on weekends and holidays as of 2026; check nj.gov/dep/parksandforests for current rates. Camping at High Point is available at a developed campground with sites reservable through the NJ State Parks system. The lake swimming beach charges a seasonal day-use fee as of 2026.
The America the Beautiful Pass does not apply here since High Point is state-managed. New Jersey has its own state parks pass program. Veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities should check state-level benefit programs in addition to the federal Access Pass; see veteran benefits in national forests and parks for the broader picture.
High Point borders Stokes State Forest to the south, and the AT connects the two. Combined with Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area further south, these three public lands form a connected corridor along the Kittatinny Ridge that supports everything from short day hikes to multi-day backpacking traverses.
Planning Tips
- The Monument interior hours are seasonal and sometimes limited by staffing or weather. Confirm current hours at the park website before planning your visit around a monument climb, particularly on shoulder-season weekdays.
- The three-state summit view requires clear conditions: the Catskills to the north are visible at 50-plus miles only on days with low humidity. Fall and winter offer the clearest conditions. A hazy summer day can obscure the distant views entirely.
- The Cedar Swamp boardwalk may be slippery in wet conditions. The bog mat underfoot is soft and the wooden boards can be slick with moisture or algae in spring. Footwear with grip is worthwhile for this trail.
- Hawk-watching on the Kittatinny Ridge in September and October is a secondary attraction many visitors overlook. The ridge funnels migrating raptors, and a clear September morning at the summit area can produce impressive hawk counts.
- Pack the 10 essentials for ridge hikes. The summit area is exposed and afternoon thunderstorms build quickly in summer. Check conditions before you go for weather and any trail closures.
- The campground at High Point books quickly for summer weekends; reservations through nj.gov are recommended at least a few weeks in advance.
High Point rewards visitors who combine the summit with the Cedar Swamp and one of the longer ridge routes in a single day. The three distinct landscape types (open summit, bog ecosystem, forested valley) give the park more ecological variety than its compact footprint suggests. All visitors share responsibility for the park's condition. Follow Leave No Trace principles throughout your visit, and stay on marked trails to protect the sensitive bog vegetation.