New Jersey's High Point Is One Of The Best Hiking Summits for Viewing Multiple States
By Kristen|Published June 01, 2020
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Kristen
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Kristen is a writer, editor, and social media maven who loves her state. Born and raised in New Jersey, sharing all it has to offer is her passion. After attending Montclair State University, she continued her education online, obtaining certifications in social media management.
If you’re looking to see multiple states from the Garden State, New Jersey’s High Point Monument is where you want to head. You can drive right up, but there are also several trails you can take to get there.
One of my favorites comes in at around 3 miles (1.5 miles out and back). It begins at the Appalachian Trail lot and will take you to High Point Observation Deck.
It is from this deck that you'll enjoy a spectacular monument, enchanting mountains, and views of three states - New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
The observation deck is not to be confused with the monument. I've highlighted the trail to the platform in red. Swapping trails at the platform, you can continue to the monument if you choose. This is highlighted in blue.
So, park at the Appalachian Trail lot, hop on the connector trail, head towards the Appalachian Trail, and take that to the observation deck. If you'd like to continue to the monument (and another scenic viewpoint), hop off the Appalachian Trail onto the Shawangunk Ridge Trail for about .5 miles until you hit the monument. (The trail map is linked at the bottom of the article.)
From there, head back to the Appalachian Trail lot. Adding the monument to your hike will bring the total up to just over 4 miles, but it's worth it. If you're an avid hiker, explore even more of High Point State Park. There are several lakes, interpretive centers, and a white cedar swamp waiting for you!
Wherever you choose to hike in the park (and even if you choose to drive instead of hike), you'll enjoy endless photo opportunities and beautiful views. While this platform is not nearly as high as it seems, we would not recommend a shot like this. You can see plenty from behind the barrier!
Have you hiked High Point before? Share your photos in the comments. If you’re looking to hike here soon, the park is open for passive recreation. Visitors must wear masks in and around all gatehouses, restrooms, and reopened park buildings. Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear a mask when alone in other areas of the park but must wear one when around others. You can find the High Point State Park Trail Map Here. If you can’t make it to the park or are waiting, check out the dazzling drone footage below. It’s truly magnificent.
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