New Jersey History and Sites

High Point State Park is known for being home to the highest peak in the state of New Jersey. The highest point of the mountain is over 1,800 feet above sea level. From this point, visitors can oversee a large forest rich area along with the Delaware River which divides New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. On the west side of the peak, visitors can also take in a unique view of downtown Port Jervis, New York. In order to be accessible for most people, the State Park allows visitors to hike up the mountain or park at the top to see easily see the beautiful views.

Also, on top of High Point Mountain, sits a monument dedicated to remembering New Jersey veterans of all wars. The 220-foot monument was construction in 1930. From the outside, the moment is clean and well cared for. After paying a $1 fee, visitors can clime 291 stairs to the top of the monument.  If visitors make it through the grueling climb to the top, they can stand on the highest point in New Jersey from the top of the monument. With the dirty windows and no place to sit at the top, the summit can seem anticlimactic to some visitors. Although, it’s still probably worth trying once in your life.

High Point State Park also features a wide array of other outdoor activities for visitors, including swimming, picnic, hiking, camping, a playground, skiing, and more. Many visitors come down to sit and swim in the 20-acre Lake Marcia while cooking on charcoal grill and eating at picnic tables adjacent to the beach. While the beach is closed to swimming in the winter months, other activities like as skiing open up. Making the State Park busy and thriving throughout the whole year.

Resources

“High Point State Park Overview.” New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Access Date: 10/29/2023. https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/highpointstatepark.html

“High Point State Park.” Visit New Jersey. Department of the State of New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism, Access Date: 10/29/2023. https://visitnj.org/nj-all-beaches/high-point-state-park

“High Point State Park- Monument Trail via A.T.” NJ Hiking. Published Date: 9/9/22. https://www.njhiking.com/best-hikes-in-nj-high-point-monument-trail/