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High Point State Park: New Jersey's Rooftop

Reach new heights at High Point State Park, offering stunning tri-state views and historical significance in New Jersey's great outdoors.

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Ascend to the highest elevation in New Jersey at High Point State Park, crowned by the iconic High Point Monument. This 16,000-acre park offers panoramic views, hiking trails, and a glimpse into the state's natural and historical heritage [3, 6].

A brief summary to High Point

  • Wantage, New Jersey, US

Local tips

  • Check the park's website for current entrance fees, which are typically charged per vehicle from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day [3, 4, 6].
  • Bring comfortable shoes for hiking the trails, and be prepared for rocky terrain [10].
  • Visit during the fall for spectacular foliage views [15].
  • Follow bear safety guidelines, such as not leaving food out and making noise while hiking [3].
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Getting There

  • Driving

    High Point State Park is easily accessible by car. From Route 23, follow the signs to the park entrance [3]. Once inside the park, continue along the main park road to the High Point Monument parking lot [5]. Parking is readily available near the monument. During peak season (Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day), there may be an entrance fee of up to $20 per vehicle for out-of-state residents and $10 for New Jersey residents [3, 4]. Overnight parking is allowed at the Appalachian Trail parking lot on Route 23, south of the park office, with a permit obtainable during park office hours [2].

  • Walking

    For those who prefer to walk to the monument, a path is marked from the Lake Marcia Beach parking lot (1.5 miles round trip) or the Monument Trail/Interpretive Center lot (1 mile round trip) [5]. This allows you to avoid the narrow park roads, especially during busy weekends. Follow the signs to the Monument Trail, which offers a moderately challenging hike with rewarding views [3, 7].

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Discover more about High Point

High Point State Park, located in Wantage, New Jersey, is a 16,000-acre natural preserve that rises along the Kittatinny Mountains [3, 9]. Dedicated in 1923, the park provides a variety of outdoor activities and stunning vistas [3, 6, 9]. The park's history dates back to the early 1800s when settlers farmed the land [9, 11]. Later, in 1890, Charles St. John built the High Point Inn, a mountain resort that operated until wildfires and economic hardship forced its closure [9, 11]. The park's most prominent feature is the High Point Monument, a 220-foot granite obelisk that stands as a war memorial [3, 8]. Constructed between 1928 and 1930, the monument commemorates New Jersey veterans of all wars [3, 5]. Visitors can climb the 291 steps to the top for 360-degree views of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania [3, 5, 4]. The monument is typically open on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day, weather and staffing permitting [4, 5]. High Point State Park offers over 50 miles of trails for hiking, skiing, and other recreational activities [4, 12, 15]. The Appalachian Trail also passes through the park [2, 4, 6]. Lake Marcia, a glacial lake at an elevation of 1,570 feet, provides opportunities for swimming and boating [3, 6, 15]. The park also features camping facilities, picnic areas, and an interpretive center [3, 6, 14]. The landscape was designed by the Olmsted Brothers, sons of Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer of Central Park [6].

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