The Highest Road In New Jersey Will Lead You On An Unforgettable Journey

The highest paved road in New Jersey may not be quite as elevated as the highest paved road in Hawaii (at 11,120 feet above sea level) but it still offers some spectacular views. In fact, it’s actually accessible from a park road that's aptly named Scenic Drive.

Monument Road comes in at around 1,800 feet above sea level.

The road winds through the Kittatinny Mountains, accessible from Scenic Drive in High Point State Park.

To get to Monument Road, you'll exit Highway 23 (at 1,500 above sea level) and climb 300 feet through paved roads in the park.

I'd access Monument Road by taking the main entrance road and continuing north, then veering right onto Scenic Drive, near the interpretive center.

The entrance road will take you past beautiful Lake Marcia and a playground for the kids to stop at during the drive, before connecting to Scenic Drive.

From Scenic Drive, you'll pick up Monument Road, ending right at the base of High Point Monument.

From the base of the monument, you'll enjoy views like this. Bring your quarters!

You can climb to the top of the 220-foot obelisk, in season, or you can enjoy one of the park's trails (including a portion of the Appalachian Trail).

Visit now for spectacular swimming or in the fall for fantastic foliage!

After you've finished marveling at the monument, head down Monument Road to Scenic Drive, towards the park exit.

For a better idea of your drive, note the arrows in the aerial shot below.

The drive up to Monument Road and back down takes only about 15 minutes, but you’ll surely stop along the way at the sandy shores of Lake Marcia and to stare out at three states (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania) from the base of High Point Monument. Be aware that a nominal fee is charged to access the park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. If you’re looking to get away for an entire day, check out these day trips, just over the New Jersey border.