High Point State Park: New Jersey's Rooftop

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

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].

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].