I Hiked Into Stokes State Forest and Found a Cascade Almost No One Knows About

For such a small state, New Jersey has quite a few great waterfalls. Some of them are world-famous and attract quite a crowd during the summer months, while others are really out of the way, and getting to them can be a major affair. However, there's one waterfall hike in New Jersey that offers the best of both worlds—and it happens to be one of the most peaceful spots around.

Located in the heart of Stokes State Forest, Stepping Stone Falls is one of the smaller waterfalls in the Garden State, but it provides a beautiful and relaxing cascade that rarely has too many people around. It's accessed by the Stony Brook Trail, a 2.8-mile hike that offers a moderate challenge and some truly beautiful views along the way. Many people don't even know this waterfall exists, so coming upon this peaceful cascade in the middle of this sprawling natural wilderness feels like you've just stumbled upon your own little New Jersey secret—because you kind of have.

Stokes State Forest is one of the Garden State's most remote parks. It's hard to believe a place like this exists in the most densely populated state in the country, but the Stony Brook Trail is an amazing way to see what it has to offer.

While the trail is moderately challenging, and you should have some hiking experience and a good pair of boots to tackle it, there are plenty of rest stops along the way where you can have a picnic or just take in the views. The entire park has a wonderfully rustic vibe.

One of the best things about the park is that it has plenty of small waterfalls. Many of them don't have a specific name and can be spotted as you walk along the path. They make amazing photo ops and offer a great little moment of serenity. However, these aren't the main attraction.

Stepping Stone Falls isn't the largest waterfall in New Jersey by a long stretch. Still, it's a regularly flowing cascade that looks beautiful during the rainy season and often freezes over into a landscape of icicles during the winter. Buried deep inside the forest, it's one of the least-visited waterfalls in the state—and that makes it an amazing little secret to discover along your next hike.

Have you made your way to Stepping Stone Falls before? If not, tell a friend about this article and let them in on the secret, and take this beautiful waterfall hike in New Jersey to see it for yourself! You can see more photos of this trail on the official AllTrails trail listing, and we highly recommend a subscription to AllTrails+, as this trail offers some challenging terrain, and the point-by-point directions can be invaluable in the remote areas of Stokes State Forest. It's not the only unique adventure waiting for you near Branchburg, either; make sure to climb to the top of New Jersey's most impressive fire tower.