High Point State Park

High Point State Park in Sussex County, New Jersey contains the highest elevation point in the state at 1,803 feet (550 meters) above sea level, marked by the High Point Monument — a 220-foot granite obelisk erected in 1930. The monument is visible from as far as 20 miles away on clear days, and on a clear day the views from the summit observation platform extend north into New York State, east toward the Catskill Mountains, south over the Kittatinny Ridge, and west into Pennsylvania — encompassing parts of three states. The 15,000-acre park sits in the Kittatinny Mountains in the extreme northwest corner of New Jersey, bordering New York State to the north and Pennsylvania to the west. Two glacially formed lakes — Lake Marcia and Lake Steenykill — lie within the park and offer swimming (Lake Marcia, summer weekends with lifeguard), fishing, and non-motorized boating. The Appalachian Trail passes through the park, and approximately 50 miles of total hiking trails traverse ridgelines, wetlands, and cedar swamps. Fall foliage at this elevation peaks slightly earlier than in the Delaware Valley, typically from late September to mid-October, when hardwood forest colors are at their most intense. Sunrise and sunset from the monument create exceptional photography conditions, particularly in October. The park charges a per-vehicle fee on summer weekends; the monument interior is not accessible year-round due to winter icing conditions.