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New York-New Jersey Trail Conference

High Point State Park

Park Acreage:
16091 acres
Trail Miles:
50.0 miles
Trail Uses:
Hiking, Mountain biking, Bridle path, X-C skiing
Fees:
Some times and places; check with park
GPS:
41.305409, -74.671222
TC maintained

Directions

Take Route 23 approximately 7 miles north of the town of Sussex, NJ, or 4 miles south of Port Jervis, NY.  GPS Coordinates: 41.305409, -74.671222

  • Fees: Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day

Park Overview

1803 feet – the highest point in the state of New Jersey

Trail Overview

The Park features thirteen marked trails that range from 0.5 to 8.3 miles, including sections of the Appalachian and Shawangunk Ridge Trails.  This extensive network of trails makes it possible to create a number of loop hikes. A "Step-by-Step Trail Guide," published by NJ DEP, provides a descriptive narrative including very helpful information about trailhead location, trail length, level of difficulty, pathway surface, and trail usage (it can be found using Contact Information on this web page).  Detailed descriptions of hikes in High Point can also be searched for on this site.

Use the Web Map link on this web page for a N.J. State Park Service Map of trails. 

  • Appalachian Trail [white, 8.3 mile segment] -- hiking only. AT traverses the park from north to south, passing many viewpoints along the way. It may be combined with the Iris Trail [red on white], which it intersects three times.
  • Cross-country skiing - groomed trails; [973] 702-1222
  • Snowmobiling and dog sledding -- some trails south of NJ 23

Park Description

High Point State Park extends south ten miles from the New York state line.  High Point has a natural landscape of unusual beauty onto which a designed landscape was placed.  Recreational facilities are centered around the Lake Marcia and High Point Monument areas.  As suggested by its name, the park occupies the highest point within the state - 1,803 feet.

The park includes the Dryden Kuser Natural Area and its Cedar Swamp.  This large swamp of Atlantic white cedar trees is the farthest inland swamp of this type known to exist.

Swimming is permitted at spring-fed Lake Marcia when lifeguards are on duty.