High Point State Park in New Jersey: Everything to Know Before You Go

New Jersey isn't known for its mountains, but its highest spot offers a view worth the drive. High Point State Park sits at the far tip of Sussex County, where Kittatinny Mountain crosses the borders of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. At 1,803 feet, it's the highest elevation in the state, and on a clear day you can see all three states from the same overlook.

The land was donated by Colonel Anthony Kuser and his wife, Susie Dryden Kuser, and was dedicated as a park in 1923. It now covers more than 15,000 acres, with enough packed into it: a monument, two lakes, miles of trail, and a full campground - that most first-time visitors end up staying longer than they planned.

The Monument

The park's signature landmark is the High Point Monument, a 220-foot obelisk that resembles a smaller version of the Washington Monument. Unlike its D.C. counterpart, this one honors New Jersey's veterans rather than a single president. Built between 1928 and 1930, it sits right at the summit.

On select days and times throughout the year, you can climb the 291 stairs inside to the observation platform for a 360-degree view stretching to the Catskills, the Poconos, and the Wallkill River Valley. You don't have to climb to get a view, though. The parking lot and surrounding overlooks already sit at the highest point in the state, so even the short walk from the car delivers most of the payoff.

You can reach the monument by driving straight up Scenic Drive to the summit lot, or on foot: a 1.5-mile out-and-back from Lake Marcia Beach, a 1-mile route from the Monument Trail/Interpretive Center lot, or the longer 2.8-mile Monument Trail hike with about 515 feet of elevation gain.

Two Lakes, Two Different Experiences

High Point has two lakes, and they serve different purposes. Lake Marcia is the swimming lake, a 20-acre spring-fed lake with a lifeguarded beach, bathhouse, and food concession in season. Sawmill Lake is the camping and fishing lake, ringed by the park's family campsites, and better suited to boating and casting a line than swimming.

Both lakes are stocked for anglers (largemouth bass, bluegill, pickerel, and yellow perch are all common), and a valid New Jersey fishing license is required.

Camping and Cabins

The campground sits along Sawmill Lake and runs April 1 through October 31. There are 50 family sites with fire rings and picnic tables, most of which fit two tents and some that accommodate small trailers, plus two group sites that each hold up to 25 people. As of 2026, family sites run $20 per night for NJ residents and $25 for non-residents, with a 2-night minimum for advance reservations.

For something less rustic, two cabins sit on the eastern shore of Steenykill Lake, open May 15 through October 15. Each sleeps six (up to eight with advance permission from the park superintendent) and comes with a woodstove, a kitchen, and a full bathroom. Cabins run $75 per night ($525/week) for NJ residents and $85 per night ($595/week) for non-residents, with a one-week minimum during peak summer season.

Hiking Beyond the Monument

The park has trails ranging from a half-mile to 18 miles, and the Appalachian Trail runs straight through it. If you want something easy and family-friendly, the Ayers Trail is a mostly level mile-long trail through oak, hickory, and maple forests, passing the stone ruins of a former farm along the way. For something quieter, the White Cedar Swamp Trail is a 2.6-mile boardwalk loop through one of the highest-elevation Atlantic white cedar swamps in the world, and it sees a fraction of the monument's foot traffic.

Plan Your Visit

High Point State Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset, with the park office running shorter hours. Entrance fees apply seasonally, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and are tiered by day and residency: $5 on weekdays for NJ residents; $10 on weekdays for non-residents; $10 on weekends and holidays for NJ residents; and $20 on weekends and holidays for non-residents. Confirm current rates on the NJ DEP park page before visiting, as seasonal fees have changed multiple times in recent years.

The park is accessible off Route 23 in Sussex County, roughly 90 minutes from most of North Jersey and about 2.5 hours from Philadelphia.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is there an entrance fee for High Point State Park? Yes, seasonally. Fees apply from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day and are tiered by day of the week and residency, ranging from $5 to $20 per vehicle. The park is free to enter outside that window.
• Can you swim at High Point State Park? Yes, at Lake Marcia, which has a lifeguarded beach in summer. Sawmill Lake, the park's other lake, is used for boating and fishing rather than swimming.
• How long is the hike to High Point Monument? It depends on your starting point. The shortest route is a 1-mile walk from the Monument Trail/Interpretive Center lot. The longest, the full Monument Trail hike, runs about 2.8 miles round trip with roughly 515 feet of elevation gain.

For more hikes, take a look at the best New Jersey hiking trails. From easy trails to hard, there's a trail for all skill levels.