PLEASE NOTE THAT USING OUR ADDRESS IN GPS WILL NOT WORK! Take Route 23 approximately 7 miles north of the town of Sussex, NJ or 4 miles south of Port Jervis, NY. Both the park office and the main entrance to the park on located on Route 23.
GPS Coordinates
41° 18’ 23.04” N 74° 40' 14.78 " W
Size: 16,091 acres
Fees: Entrance fees are charged per vehicle from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.
The view from High
Point Monument, at 1,803 feet above sea level, is a spectacular
panorama of rich farmland and forest, soft hills and lush
valleys in three states. The blue line of the Delaware River
divides the verdant ridges of New Jersey from those of Pennsylvania.
High Point offers superb trails for hikers and skiers and
quiet spots for campers and anglers.
The land for High Point State Park, donated
by Colonel Anthony R. and Susie Dryden Kuser, was dedicated
as a park in 1923. The pleasant landscaping was designed by
the Olmsted Brothers of Boston, a prominent landscape architectural
firm of that time. The brothers were the sons of the eminent
Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed Central Park.
Keep Your Park Clean
Through the Carry-In/Carry-Out Program you can help us keep your parks clean and beautiful by carrying out the trash you carry in. Bags are provided throughout the site. Thank you for your cooperation and remember to recycle.
Access for Persons with Disabilities
High Point State Park facilities are partially accessible for persons with disabilities. Please contact the park office for further information regarding disability access needs. Text telephone (TT) users, call the New Jersey Relay Service at (800) 852-7899.
Park Advisory
Access to the base of the monument is restricted due to hazardous conditions. The area surrounding the monument is still open for visitiation.
Park Hours
Open daily
April 1 through October 31: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
November 1 through March 31: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Park Office:
Open Daily November 1 through the week before Memorial Day: 8am to 4pm
Extended weekend hours Memorial Day weekend through October 31 as staffing permits
The monument was built through the generosity of the Kusers, in honor of all war veterans. Construction was started in 1928 and completed in 1930. At the top of the 220-foot structure, observers have a breathtaking view of the ridges of the Pocono Mountains toward the west, the Catskill Mountains to the north and the Wallkill River Valley in the southeast.
Monument: You can access the location of the monument during regular park hours (weather permitting in the winter due to road conditions). If you would like to enter the monument with the option to climb to the top it is open on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend until June 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (staff permitting). Open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. from June 24 through Labor Day (staff permitting). Open weekends and holidays after Labor Day until Columbus Day (staff and weather permitting) from 9:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Interpretive Programs
The park offers a variety of interpretive and educational programs on a year-round basis. Nature hikes, stream walks and talks are conducted by the park naturalist. Please contact the park office for additional program information and to register. Program fees may apply.
Swimming
The spring-fed waters of the 20-acre Lake Marcia are cool and refreshing for swimmers. The beach is protected by lifeguards
and there is a bathhouse and food concession adjacent to the
beach. Inner
tubes, rafts and other flotation devices are not permitted
in the swimming area. Only Coast Guard approved life jackets are permitted. Pets are prohibited on the beach.
Beach: Open daily through Labor Day weekend 10 AM to 6 PM (weather permitting)
Boating
Boats may be launched at specific locations at Sawmill Lake and Steenykill Lake. Boating is permitted subject to New Jersey's boating regulations and NJ State Park Service rules. Check with the park office for launch sites. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices are required for each boat occupant. Power boats are limited to electric motors only.
Fishing
Excellent fishing can be found in High Point's lakes and streams, which are well-stocked with trout, large mouth bass and other species. Please refer to Division of Fish and Wildlife regulations.
Each November High Point State Park allows hunters to participate in a special deer hunt in a designated area of the park (Deer Management Zone 67). To participate, hunters must purchase a Zone 67 permit from a license agent or via the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Internet license sales site.
Dryden Kuser Natural Area
(1,500 acres)
At 1,500 feet above sea level, the Atlantic
white cedar swamp in Dryden Kuser Natural Area is the highest
elevation swamp of its kind in the world. A self-guided trail
booklet for those who wish to hike the swamp trail is available
at the park office. Endangered species include the three-tooth
cinquefoil and Cooper's hawk.
Trails
With over 50 miles of trails, High Point State Park offers visitors a variety of trail options throughout the year, Designated multiple-use trails are available for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, dogsledding and snowmobiling. Trails vary in length from one half-mile to 18 miles and take visitors through unique and diverse landscapes including an Atlantic white cedar swamp, mountain ridge tops with 360-degree views, dense forests, fields and wetlands.
HIGH POINT STATE PARK WINTER TRAIL USE INFO (December 1 through April 1)
When the High Point Cross Country Ski Center is in operation, a trail pass is required for all use of any trail north of Route 23 (with the exception of the Appalachian Trail). When the ski center is not in operation (when there is not adequate snow cover) trails are open for designated use without a trail pass. Trail passes and rentals may be acquired at the ski center lodge located adjacent to Lake Marcia. Parking is available in the Lake parking lot. Trail conditions can be found at xcskihighpoint.com
All trails south of Route 23 are open for designated use at all times without a trail pass. Parking is available off of Route 23 at the Appalachian Trail parking lot, park office, or winter use lot located on Park Ridge Road. Refer to "Stokes State Forest/High Point State Park Winter Activities Map" for more information. PLEASE NOTE THE PIPELINE IS NO LONGER A DESIGNATED SNOWMOBILE TRAIL. Trail condition information is available by calling (973) 875-4800
The Appalachian Trail is open to foot travel only (including snowshoeing) at all times and a trail pass is never required.
18 miles of the Appalachian Trail follows the Kittatinny Mountain Ridge through High Point State Park. This trail's designated use is restricted to hiking only for its entire length from Maine to Georgia. White blazes mark this narrow and sometimes very rocky trail.
To the south, the Appalachian Trail follows a rocky ridge which offers many scenic views of the valleys and mountains surrounding the area. To the north, the trail drops off the ridge through hemlock gorges into former agricultural fields with a view of the surrounding countryside and the High Point Monument in the distance.
There are 3 designated overnight shelters: Mashipacong shelter, Rutherford shelter and High Point shelter. These are the only overnight locations that allow you to stay overnight on the trail. Camping is limited to 1 night per shelter.
Each shelter has a bear box
No fires are permitted at the shelters or on State of NJ property
Pets must be leashed at all times
Carry out all trash
10 people maximum per shelter
Limited water sources can be found via a stream at High Point Shelter, or at the park office. You should plan to carry sufficient water for your hike as water along the trail may not be suitable for consumption. All water obtained along the trail should be chemically treated or boiled for 5 minutes.
No motor vehicles of any kind are permitted on AT. The Appalachian Trail is for foot travel only.
Overnight parking is located at the Appalachian Trail Parking Lot on Route 23 just South of the Park Office. A permit is required and can be obtained during Park Office business hours. This is the only designated overnight parking for the AT in High Point State Park.
The Dryden Kuser Natural Area includes a
distinctive bog, locally called the Cedar Swamp. The Cedar
Swamp Trail makes a one and a half mile loop around the bog.
The trail guide described the spring-summer vegetation and
other features of the bog and the surrounding area. The descriptions
in the guide correspond to numbered posts on the trail. As
you enjoy the natural beauty of this area, please remember
to leave it undisturbed for future visitors.
Winter months find cross-country skiers
on the 15 km of groomed trails in the park. Cross-country skis and other
winter sports equipment are available for rent. A blazing
fire, hot soup and other hearty food greet visitors at the
center on Lake Marcia. For information, call (973) 702-1222; www.xcskihighpoint.com.
Camping
Alcohol is prohibited. Pets are prohibited in overnight facilities.
A non-refundable service fee of $5.00 will be charged to the customer for each reservation.
Changes to the reservation that occur prior to the Start/Check in date will incur a non refundable fee of $5.00.
Changes made after the start/check-in date will be chargerd a service fee according to the following:
If the total fee is greater then or equal to $50.00 then a fee of $5.00 will be charged.
If the total fee is less then $50.00 then the fee of $2.00 will be charged.
Pet Friendly Campsites please click here for details on sites that are designated Pet Friendly, license and innoculation paperwork requirements and additional cost. Pet friendly Sawmill Lake sites 29-50
Campsites: 50 tent sites
(no trailers) along Sawmill Lake with fire rings and picnic
tables. Flush toilets are within walking distance. Open April
1 through October 31. Fee: NJ Resident $20 per night;
Non Resident $25 per night.
Group campsites: Two group
campsites with drinking water and
pit toilets. Each campsite accommodates up to 25 people. Open year round. During the winter months visitors must bring in their own water or obtain it at the park office. Fee: NJ Resident $50 per night; Non Resident $100 per night.
Cabins: Two cabins each
with furnished living room with a woodstove; three bedrooms
-one room with double bed, two rooms with twin beds; kitchen
with hot and cold running water, electric stove, refrigerator;
bathroom with shower, toilet, and sink. Electricity. Cabins
are located on eastern shore of Steenykill Lake. Each accommodates
six people. With prior permission from the superintendent,
two additional people may be accommodated. Cabins are open
from May 15 to October 15. Fee: NJ Resident $75 per night; 525 per week; Non Resident $85 per night; $595 per week.
Group cabin:
Living room with woodstove, full kitchen, two bunkrooms with
double bunks, bathrooms, showers. Accommodates up to 28 people.
Open May 15 to October 15. Fee: NJ Resident $175 per night; Two-night
minimum;
Non Resident $185 per night; Two-night
minimum.
Campground Map (Low resolution for viewing purposes) Campground Map (High resolution for printing purposes) File
Size:99 KB
A Special Use Permit is utilized to accommodate a specific activity or event being conducted over a short duration. There are two types of special use permits: Non-Commercial and Commercial and fees are based on NJ residency and Non-residents. A completed application must be submitted to the park/forest area where the activity or event is being held at least 90 days prior to the event. If the special use or event is extremely large or complex, at least one-year’s prior notice is recommended.
Picnicking
Several picnic areas with table and
grills are located throughout the park. For larger groups,
we also offer three reservable picnic shelters that can accommodate
up to 75 people each. In addition, group picnic Shelter #1
has playground equipment and Shelter #2 offers play fields
and playground equipment. These areas may be reserved for
a fee:
New Jersey Resident $55
per day, plus applicable parking fees.
Non-Resident $65
per day, plus applicable parking fees.
Memorial
Day through Labor Day
New Jersey Resident $80
per day
Non-Resident $90
per day
Day
After Labor Day to Friday Before Memorial Day
50
percent of Fee
Group
Picnic Cancellation Fee
• Groups of 20 or more people shall
reserve picnic facilities at least five days in advance.
Such group use is not permitted on Holidays except as authorized
by the Superintendent. Reservations for picnic areas are
handled by the individual park area offices.
Reservations can be made over the telephone using a credit card, or by mail using the Group Picnic Reservation form* downloadable here. Payment in full of the appropriate group picnicking fee must accompany this application.
*To view this form, please download the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat
High Point State Park facilities are partially accessible for persons with disabilities. Please contact the park office for further information regarding disability access needs. Text telephone (TT) users, call the New Jersey Relay Service at (800) 852-7899.
