High Point (New Jersey)

"Solo. Parked in the AT lot just south of the visitor center for the park as I had read there was a time limit in that lot. It was a brisk 12° or so when I started out at 0930. The trail was flat and wide, and very evident that in warmer seasons it’s a mucky nightmare and very eroded. Once I crossed the park road into the woods proper, I was on a rocky and gently uphill climb. I was expecting full cloud cover, but I did get some blue sky (albeit hazy) and some sun! I could see the obelisk on trail, and shortly came up to to the observation deck, which is very nicely constructed and pretty cool. Got back on trail, dropped a bit over slippery dead dry leaves, then climbed up to the monument, which in winter is completely off limits to visitors. The view was nice but anticlimactic, I did see a couple of drive-up visitors that didn’t stay long in the cold temperatures. Decided not to do any of the lollipop loopdeloops as described on the NJ high point park website, just went straight back out the way I came. " — kellieirene • Jan 17, 2019

"Stopped by the highpoint to see if the Monument was open for summer and it was. There are 201 steps to the top where you can look out at the views through some windows. The beach was also open and there were several lifeguards on duty although the water is still pretty chilly. Non-residents are charged $20 during the weekends to enter the park and use the amenities. It's easy to drive up to the Monument parking area but there are several trails such as the Monument Trail or the AT to add a little adventure. This past March the state park had over 2' of snow so there was some x-country skiing available which doesn't happen every year." — StoneMan • Jun 23, 2018

"This was near the highway that I was driving on, and the hike looked quick. And that was the case. Another humid day, but hiked up to High Point. I went up the 220 foot war memorial, but it was hot, humid, and stuff with no air flow and a dozen other people up there. I left soon after to continue my drove home after my VA trip." — newenglandwarrior • Jun 18, 2016

"This was one of the most anti-climatic high points that I have completed to date. It costs $10 to get into the park if you're from out of state ($3 if you're from NJ), then there is about a 1 mile drive to get to the high point. There is a parking lot followed by about a 100 yard 'hike' up a sidewalk to get to the high point. The high point is a giant monument that you can walk around and walk inside of; however, it was closed when I went, so was not able to see what was inside. It was also extremely foggy, so I didn't get much of a view. You can make a nice afternoon of this area though despite the uneventful climb to the top. There are pavilions everywhere with grills, so it would be a great place to bring some burgers and charcoal to have a nice cookout. Also, the Appalachian Trail runs through the park, so you might see a few legit hikers during your stay (I only saw one who was taking a break at the visitor center). Also, I didn't take any pictures since it was so foggy. Sorry! Highpoint #8" — BrianLada • Jun 4, 2016

"A return visit to the highpoint to replace a plaque with new wording for one of our Highpointers Club members who had donated the bench which was installed by park personnel last summer." — StoneMan • Apr 6, 2016

"Heading home after doing the state highpoints of IL, IN and OH, I stopped at High Point, NJ to finish a goal of being on this summit in every calendar month. This is the second state highpoint that I've done this. The other one is Jerimoth Hill in Rhode Island and I hope to complete several others by sometime next year." — StoneMan • Feb 18, 2016

"Decided to do some State-Highpointing on the East Coast for Labor Day weekend. We flew out of Las Vegas Thursday night into Boston, then bagged the highpoints of Rhode Island, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont & New Hampshire (with short stops in Pennsylvania and Maine for good measure) before flying back out of Boston on Monday. What a weekend!" — Kevin • Sep 4, 2015

"$20 for out of state weekend parking is ridiculous! Rather then paying that I decided to park at the nearby Appalachian Tail parking lot. Hiked trail up and hiked road down. It was about a 3 hike. Nice views at the top and it was fun to walk the steps on the half scale Washington Monument. State Highpoint 19/50" — hollis83 • May 31, 2014

"Nice to see the snow in the state park this time of year. The ski trails are groomed and have been in use since Saturday the Dec. 29th. That's already 3 more days than they had during all of last year's winter season." — StoneMan • Jan 1, 2013

"Park is open 8-4:30 for winter use. Monument is closed for the season but the survey/benchmarks are accessible. Hunting is allowed in some areas of the park during parts of Nov., Dec. & Jan." — StoneMan • Nov 24, 2012

"On my way home from a Highpointing roadtrip and decided to stop and see if the concession stand was open at the parking lot near the summit this year. It's remained closed and a snack bar is open at the beach instead. The monument was open and people were climbing the stairs to the top for the views. Out of staters pay a $20 fee to enter the park this year." — StoneMan • Aug 26, 2012

"Arrived a bit late but had enough time to hike up from the AT pkg lot. Met a thru hiker at the AT observation tower. Wish I could have gone up the monument but closes at 4. Nice drenching rainstorm for the descent around Lake Marcia. Isn't hiking fun?" — SteveM_StickMan • Aug 1, 2012

"It's no Ebright Azmith, but it'll do. A side of Jersey that I hadn't experienced before... the less toxic side of course. Purely done to cross it off the list. Do not see myself swinging by in the future. It's been real. " — MooseHiker • Jun 10, 2012

" This was the first stop on my epic road trip to Pittsburgh. Even know i could have hiked this mountain, I was in hurry to get to West Virginia by 9 P.M. . So By myself on this trip i drove to the top. What a view? Who even knew that New Jersey had such a beautiful view? It was such a clear day you could view both New York State and Pennsylvania from the top. I'll give New Jersey credit for there high point because the monument at the top was massive. I would love to come back and try out some trails next time. The monument was closed, but it is still worth the view from the top." — elbesto • Jun 7, 2012

"I always stop in Port Jervis to gas up the Jeep either coming or going on a roadtrip and sometimes run up to the New Jersey highpoint to stretch my legs. This morning I saw a rabbit at the summit and a tom turkey down the trail." — StoneMan • May 13, 2012

"you can drive right up to this high point, but i decided to run the 4 mile trail that starts at the far end of the parking lot and wraps around to the west. watch out if you are running, its rocky." — HyperionXIII • Oct 13, 2010

"12th Trip. Previously summitted on July 3, 1992, March 21, 2002, December 29, 2002, June 4, 2005, August 2, 2007, September 6, 2007, July 30, 2009 August 1, 2009, October 6, 2010 and April 7 & 8, 2011. " — StoneMan • Jul 3, 1992

"At midnight on July 1, 1991, 5 climbers, Pete Allard, Jim Grace, Shaun Lacher, David Sandway and myself, Dennis Stewart, took their first step off the summit of Mount Rainier and began a climbing marathon to reach the highest point in each of the 48 contiguous states in one calendar month. During the month of July in 1991, the team hiked over 250 miles, climbed over 14 vertical miles and drove over 14,000 miles. Their total time (summit to summit) was 30 days, 10 hours and 52 minutes. All 5 members of the climbing team reached every summit during the month long expedition. High Point was the 23rd highpoint reached on this record breaking trip, which got the team recognition in Guinness Book of Records." — Stewy • Jul 12, 1991