The Small Town In New Jersey You’ve Never Heard Of But Will Fall In Love With

If you live in the area, you may be familiar with this little town in New Jersey, but if you're a drive away - you'll want to make that drive. This scenic, serene town is the perfect place to spend the day out in nature in one of the best New Jersey small towns. If you live on the western side of New Jersey, hop on Old Mine Road to get here. It may not be the fastest route, but it's absolutely beautiful.

This is Walpack Township. As you can see from this aerial shot, it's not very urban.

The town has a population of just around 11 residents, down from 41 in 2000. Walpack Township once thrived, though many residents were forced to move in the 1960s, as a dam was set to be built. The dam wasn't ever built, but the town was still mostly left abandoned.

This is Walpack Center, the town's main drag.

It has mostly remained unchanged since 1965, when the town became part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The historic buildings date back to the mid-1800s and include a post office, church, former school used for storage, and six houses; none of these houses are inhabited. One of the buildings does serve as a small museum, open to the public on Sundays from May - October and run by the Walpack Historical Society.

Another attraction in this sleepy little town is the Van Campen Inn.

This Revolutionary War-era farmhouse was once the center of a self-sufficient plantation with farm animals and a blacksmith shop. The Walpack Historical Society hosts Van Campen Day here each October, complete with period actors, tours of the home and surrounding cemeteries and demonstrations of everything from apple cider making to spinning wool.

The town is also home to the one-of-a-kind Walpack Inn.

This rustic restaurant serves up spectacular seafood, some of the best bread around and offers a cabin for overnight stays. You can visit at: 7 National Park Service Road 615.

The town is bordered on the west by the Delaware River.

Enjoy around 10 miles of untouched natural beauty along the waterfront, making this one of the best small towns in New Jersey for nature lovers.

One very interesting feature of the town is that a tiny sliver of it lies on the Pennsylvania side of the river.

The town also includes several small, uninhabited islands. Another fun fact about Walpack Township? It was featured in a 1930s promotional film for Ford Motor Company called "These Thirty Years."

Much of Walpack Center lies in a valley.

So, it is surrounded by hills and mountains. There are many hiking trails in the area, including portions of the Appalachian Trail.

Buttermilk Falls can't be missed.

The 200-foot waterfall requires no hiking to get to, is handicap accessible, and offers a designated viewing area. There is also an elevated platform visitors can climb to see the falls from above. While this photo is lovely, visit after a rainy day for an even more spectacular sight. The falls are located just off Mountain Road.

Crater Lake is a gem.

Crater Lake is a clear blue glacial lake, created around 22,000 years ago. Picturesque and pristine, visitors can enjoy an easy hike around the lake. The Crater Lake Trail is a manageable 1.6-mile loop. For a longer hike, hop on the Hemlock Pond or Blue Mountain Lake Trail.

You'll also find creeks, streams, brooks, ponds and lakes.

Pictured is a wooden suspension bridge over Big Flat Brook.

A perfect way to spend a day in a beautiful bucolic setting, stroll along the main road, go for an enjoyable hike, stop at the museum, and then grab dinner at the wonderful Walpack Inn. Visit our previous article to learn more about the Walpack Inn. You’ll score spectacular views of the surrounding nature in the restaurant’s greenhouse dining area, here in one of the smallest towns in New Jersey.

Have you visited this charming small town in New Jersey before? Isn't it positively perfect?