This realistic High Point Monument New Jersey Guide helps you plan your next adventure in this state park.

High Point is a state park at the highest elevation in New Jersey. The park has mountain ridges, scenic drives, and a lone standing granite monument.

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Sights & Places of Interest

High Point State Park has a maximum elevation of 1,803 ft (550 m). It is a fraction of the highest points in Alaska, California, and Colorado. Still, this park has plenty of sights that make it a worthwhile destination.

Without a doubt, most visitors come to High Point State Park to admire its obelisk and views. But there are a few other sights to visit in High Point.

This High Point Monument New Jersey Guide follows a typical path when visiting this park. It starts with the Scenic Drive before covering the Monument and park trails.

1. Scenic Drive

No matter where you drive from to visit High Point, you will end up on Monument Road sooner or later. It is a dead end road that connects the Monument with State Highway NJ-23.

You could choose to stop by the High Point State Park Office first. It is a visitor center in a historic building near a pond. This view is worth a stop even if you do not need any advice for the park rangers.

As soon as you pass the park gate and booth, you will be on Monument Road. Turn right on a side road next to a playground. It is a one-way Scenic Drive. You could only take it when driving northbound.

This 1.1-mi (1.7-km) narrow and winding road will bring you through a beautiful forest. There is just enough space on this road for one car. As a result, you will be driving right next to the trees and bushes.

There are no viewpoints on this Scenic Drive. But you will not regret taking it if you visit the park in the spring or fall. Amazing fall foliage and spring blossom make it a great alternative to Monument Road.

The Scenic Drive merges with Monument Road before the final stretch to the monument. The Monument will appear in sight on your left shortly after.

2. Monument Trail

The monument parking lot is a bit further on Monument Road. As a result, all visitors have to hike to reach the High Point Monument. The shortest path is 0.2 miles (0.3 km) each way.

You could choose to take a longer but a more scenic path to the Monument. The whole Monument Trail is a 3.5-mile (5.6-km) loop. Yet, most of this trail goes north, almost towards the state line with New York.

This is the opposite way from the High Point Monument. Unless you came to the park to hike, you might want to take a shorter path. Either way, the trail is a more scenic alternative to Monument Road.

You will be hiking in a lush forest. This hike could feel a bit like walking in Ramapo Mountain or Ringwood State Park. Most of the path goes through a shaded grove with no gaps in tree coverage.

3. Tri-State Area

A section of the Monument Trail near the High Point Monument is an exception. You will be hiking through an open area. If the weather is good, you will get amazing westbound views.

The Delaware River will be visible thanks to the high elevation. You will see its scenic bend that marks a line between three states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York.

You will be standing on a trail in New Jersey. A town to the left of the river bend is Matamoras, Pennsylvania. A town across the river is Port Jervis, New York.

4. Delaware Water Gap

As you get closer to the High Point Monument, you will see less and less of the Delaware River. But parts of the river will still be in sight. This is the start of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

If you have a keen eye, a good camera lens, or binoculars, you might even notice Milford Knob. Raymondskill Falls are a few miles (km) south of this point.

You should take a trip to these falls. The highest waterfall in Pennsylvania is a sight to see in this part of the country. But a small parking lot is challenge. You might need to take a shuttle on a weekend.

Milford, Pennsylvania should be also within range. Consider visiting the Gifford Pinchot House and grounds at nearby Grey Towers. This park deserves a few hours of your time.

5. High Point Monument

You would not need to hike long to reach the High Point Monument from the open area on the trail. The 220-ft (67 m) granite obelisk will catch your attention as soon you park your car.

The Monument is over 90 years old. And, like most similar structures, this monument commemorates the veterans of the state. Yet, there is something surreal about the High Point Monument.

It is quite natural to see these structures in large cities like Washington, D.C. or Boston, Massachusetts. But few would expect such a structure in the middle of North Jersey.

Visitors can climb the Washington Monument in D.C. and the Bunker Hill Monument in Boston, MA. The High Point Monument in New Jersey is no exception. You could go to the top of this Obelisk.

Bring cash to pay a $1 entrance fee. You need to pay the fee in the lobby of the Monument during its opening hours. You cannot tell how difficult the climb is just by looking up in the lobby.

The first spiral staircase will only bring you a couple of floors up. You will find yourself in a spacious square shaped room. As soon as you look up, you will see some 291 flights of stairs.

A narrow staircase climbs from wall to wall until you reach the top. This experience is the worst nightmare come true for those with fears of heights and small spaces.

Once you reach the top, you find a platform with enough space for about five people. This is the first spot since the beginning of the staircase where two people could stand comfortably.

There are four windows on each side of the Monument. You could decide for yourself if these views are worth a 291-stair climb up and down on a narrow staircase.

6. High Point Lookout

Even the most strong willed visitors might need a minute to catch their breath after climbing the High Point Monument. It is also alright if you decide to skip the climb.

There is no judgement for knowing your limits. You could also save a dollar by knowing what the climb to the top of the Monument means in advance.

You could get similar if not better views of the Kittatinny Mountain Ridge from the base of the Monument. Take a walk around the Obelisk. The best views face south, west, and north.

Get ready to experience strong winds. There is very little wind protection at High Point. The wind might be so strong that it could be difficult to walk. Hold your purses and hats.

7. Appalachian Trail

If you crave another challenge after visiting the Monument, you are welcome to hike a section of the Appalachian Trail. It is one of the longest trails in the country.

It starts in Georgia and goes through 12 states before finishing in Maine. The trail passes a few parks in this region. They include Delaware Water Gap, Ringwood State Park, and Bear Mountain State Park.

You could “only” hike 18 miles (29 km) of its 2,190 total miles (3,524 km) in this park. If you take just a part of the Appalachian Trail in High Point, you should hike to the Observation Tower.

The name of Tower does not lie. It is a great viewpoint. You could enjoy clear views of High Point mountain peak and the Monument on top of it.

8. Interpretive Center

Once you finish exploring the High Point Monument, it might be time to hop back in the car. This is the fastest way of getting to other sights in the park.

You will be driving back on Monument Road. This time, there is no alternative until the Park Office. But there is no need to drive all the way. You could make a stop at the Interpretive Center first.

This center is in a 1930 stone building. It used to be a restaurant back in the day. It houses natural and historic exhibits now. Architecture and history lovers would find this center worth the time.

9. Lake Marcia

As you continue with your journey, you should make a quick stop at Lake Marcia. You will get great views of the High Point Monument. You might even capture its reflection in the lake if the waters are still.

This lake is also a prime swimming location in the summer. Bring your swimsuit and enjoy the refreshing lake waters when the lifeguards are present. It could be the most scenic swim to take in New Jersey.

Continue with this High Point Monument New Jersey Guide. You will learn more about ways to get to the sights, entrance requirements, and places to stay.

Getting to High Point Monument

High Point State Park is in Sussex County of North Jersey. The monument and the trails are in a remote area of the state. You are looking at a driving time of about 2 hours to reach the park from NYC.

High Point is part of the Tri-State Area. This park is a good destination while exploring Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Hudson Valley in New York.

In fact, it is easiest to visit High Point if you are driving on Interstate Highway I-84. The Monument is just 6.5 miles (10 km) south of that highway. There is a 30-minute detour to reach the park via this way.

The drive to the park is very scenic. The road quickly gains elevation from the Delaware River level. You will be at the highest point in New Jersey in just 15 minutes.

There is no alternative to a car when visiting High Point State Park. You could take a train to Port Jervis, New York. It is the closest town to the park.

This 2-hour one-way ride costs $20.25 per adult. But there are no public transport routes to the park. You would still need a car to cover the last 6.5 miles (10 km).

Do not count on getting a ride share in this rural area. Out-of-state visitors are better off getting a rental car. It is possible to do so right at an airport you fly into.

There are plenty of cars to choose from in Newark Liberty (EWR), the nearest hub to the park. Budget at least 90 minutes to drive to High Point from Newark.

You could get to the park faster from New York Stewart (SWF) and Wilkes-Barre Scranton (AVP) airports. But finding direct flights or affordable connections might be a bigger issue of these airports.

Where to Stay near High Point

High Point’s remote location presents challenges when planning a trip. You could try to visit this park on the same day as nearby Delaware Water Gap and Grey Towers.

But you might run out of daylight. It could be wise to find a place to stay in the area. There are few places to stay nearby. But there are a handful you could choose from in three states.

Start you search with the places to stay in Pennsylvania. Look into Matamoras and Milford. Hampton Inn Matamoras is a great chain hotel. And Hotel Fauchere is for those looking for a stay in a historic building.

You could be in either hotel less than 30 minutes after leaving the park. But you keep in mind that there are only toll bridges over the Delaware River in this part of Pennsylvania.

While E-Z pass holders pay $1.25 per crossing, a cash payment is $3 each time you cross. At least, you could pay in cash and avoid even higher rental company fees.

It could be a good enough reason to look for places to stay in New York and New Jersey. There is a trade-off: you would have to drive further from High Point.

Middletown and Goshen are nice towns in New York with a few places to stay. Either town is a 30 minute drive away from High Point.

Residence Inn Middletown Goshen and La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Middletown are great options. The same review applies to Stagecoach Inn and Fairfield Inn & Suites Goshen Middletown.

New Jersey has the fewest number of places to stay near High Point. You would need to drive all the way to Newton to get a good one. See Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Newton Sparta, an IHG Hotel.

Entrance Requirements & Passes

High Point is a New Jersey State Park. This makes your America the Beautiful annual pass of no use in this park. But bring it to get a discount at nearby Grey Towers.

High Point State Park is open from 8 a.m. to at least 4:30 p.m. every day of the year. The admission hours are longer in the summer.

You cannot enter the park past the stated time. There is a gate near the High Point State Park Office and the intersection with State Highway NJ-23. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

But you would need to be in the park earlier than that to climb the High Point Monument. The Monument is only open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m Wednesday through Sunday.

The Interpretive Center is open on weekends only. The Center is subject to seasonal closures based on staff levels. It is more likely to be open in the summer.

There are no admission fees to High Point State Park until the end of 2023. The per car fees might return in 2024. In this case, you might have to pay $10 for New Jersey residents and $20 for non-residents.

When it happens, look into getting an annual state parks pass. It costs $50 for residents or $75 for non-residents of the state. The pass grants you free admission to all New Jersey state parks for one year.

While there is free admission to the park now, the High Point Monument still charges a separate fee. You need to pay $1 per person to climb the Monument. You could only pay this fee in cash.

Takeaways: High Point Monument New Jersey

High Point State Park is home to the highest elevation in New Jersey. Yet, 1,803 ft (550 m) of elevation alone might not be enough to wow the visitors. But there is a good reason to visit this park.

The High Point Monument is a surprising attraction in this part of New Jersey. It gives you an idea of how a massive obelisk would look like in the mountains.

Unless you like heights and enclosed spaces, skip the climb to the top of the Monument. You will save a dollar and a hassle of climbing nearly 300 stairs on a narrow staircase.

High Point has other sights beyond the Monument. You could hike the Appalachian Trail, take a swim in Lake Marcia, and enjoy the views.

The park is also part of the scenic Tri-State Area. You could see the places in three states without having to take a single step.

You could visit High Point after stopping in Delaware Water Gap and Grey Towers. Or you could drive to this park after Bear Mountain, Springwood, and Vanderbilt Mansion in New York.

Take a look at this High Point Monument New Jersey Video Guide. And visit the YouTube channel for the latest videos.

Frequently Asked Questions

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