High Point State Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

High Point State Park is located in the northwest corner of New Jersey and covers 15,000 acres of forested hills and valleys.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

There are several reasons to visit the park, including hiking, camping, fishing, and picnicking. The park also offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside from its namesake peak, which stands at 1,803 feet above sea level.

One of the most popular points of interest in the park is the High Point Monument, which stands at the top of High Point. It is a 220-foot tall obelisk that was built to commemorate the state's highest point. Visitors can climb to the top of the monument to enjoy panoramic views of three different states: New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

The park also features several trails of varying difficulty, including the Appalachian Trail, which runs through the park. There are also several lakes and ponds within the park that are stocked with trout, making it a popular spot for fishing.

One interesting fact about the park is that it was donated to the state by Colonel Anthony R. and Susie Dryden Kuser in 1923. The couple owned large portions of the land that make up the park and wanted to preserve the natural beauty of the area for future generations.

The best time of year to visit the park is during the fall, when the leaves change colors and the views from High Point are especially spectacular. However, the park is open year-round and offers different activities depending on the season, such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References