New Jersey may not be home to massive glacial caverns but we still have a few caves hidden away. Some are easily accessible while others are for the more adventurous. Either way, there is a cave on this list for almost any taste. What we lack in stalagmites, we make up for with charm. Here are some of the most otherworldly caves in New Jersey.

1. Crooked Swamp Cave, Layfayette Township
Flickr/Robert Peal
CROOKED SWAMP CAVE PRESERVE Layfayette Township, Sussex County
Flickr/Robert Peal
The cave at Crooked Swamp Cave Preserve is located on a much larger wildlife preserve that includes a Great Blue Heron rookery. The cave itself is not open to the public following a 1982 tragedy but can be accessed by advanced spelunkers through guided tours offered via the New Jersey Cave Conservancy. It's one of the most remarkable NJ caves.
2. The Caves At Jenny Jump State Forest, Great Meadows
Jenny Jump State Forest, 330 State Park Rd, Hope, NJ 07844, USA
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
There are several small caves in this state forest, many open to adventurous hikers. Faery Hole Cave is the largest of the New Jersey caves within Jenny Jump State Forest the park and many interesting artifacts have been found there. Significantly smaller is Fairly Low Cave which lives up to its moniker. Though the cave is over 160 feet long, it is only four feet high.

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3. Sybil's Cave Park, Hoboken
Sybil's Cave, Frank Sinatra Dr, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA
Flickr/Jazz Guy
A visit to Sybil's Cave Park will allow you to see a historic man-made cave with a natural spring. One of America’s first big murder mysteries centered around this particular cave; the body of a young store clerk was found there in the 1840s. Edgar Allen Poe went on to use it as the basis for his short story, "The Mystery of Marie Rogêt." Sybil's Cave is one of the most interesting caves in New Jersey.
4. Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensburg
Facebook/Sterling Hill Mine Tour & Museum
Sterling Hill Mining Museum, 30 Plant St, Ogdensburg, NJ 07439, USA
Facebook/Sterling Hill Mine Tour & Museum
The easiest-to-access underground adventure in New Jersey, Sterling Hill Mine is open regularly for tours. Located in Sussex County, The Mine is surrounded by fossil and rock discovery centers, making it a great place for family fun. The Museum of Fluorescence is one of many amazing attractions located on the mine’s grounds and it is home to one of the largest fluorescent mineral collections in the world. You will absolutely love exploring Sterling Hill Mine, one of the most otherworldly caverns in New Jersey.

Have you ever checked out any of these caves in New Jersey? The Garden State actually offers more caves and grottoes than you might imagine, though most are on private property. If you’re interested in exploring them, consider joining a regional spelunking group that will afford you greater access. According to legend, there are caves hidden under the streets of Carlstadt; how many others are hiding below? Share your spelunking spots in the comments.

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More to Explore

Caves In New Jersey

Melissa M. | January 01, 2023
  1. What are some of the best hidden gems in New Jersey?

Some of the best hidden gems in New Jersey include the following 10 places:

  • The Hermitage Museum in Ho-Ho-Kus
  • Columbia Wildlife Management Area in Knowlton

 

What are some of the best hikes in New Jersey?

For some of the best hiking in New Jersey, take one of the following 10 trails:

  •  Tillman Ravine at Stokes State Forest, 2.3 miles
  • Hawk Rock Viewpoint at Ramapo County Valley Reservation, 2 miles
  • Hacklebarney State Park, 6 miles of trails
  • Cove Trail at Manasquan Reservoir, 1.1 miles
  • Plant Discovery Trail at Jakes Branch County Park in Beachwood, 0.5 miles
  • Goat Hill Overlook at Washington Crossing State Park in West Amwell Township, 2 miles
  • Yellowbook Trail at Cattus Island Park in Toms River, 1.5 miles
  • Gateway National Recreation Area Loop in Highlands, 11 miles
  • Henry Hudson Trail at Henry Hudson Trail County Park in Middletown Township, 28 mile
  • Cape May Point Trail in Cape May, two miles

 

Check out these 12 hikes in New Jersey, one for each month of the year.

 

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