Whether exploring our 14 acres, biking on the Sussex Rail Trail, hiking the Appalachian Trail, or skiing in Vernon, Sussex County offers a variety of fun activities for every season.
Lake Swimming – Most lakes in our area are glacial type lakes with no beaches or they are private lakes. Some of the local State Parks do have beaches — check with the state park to see if the beaches are open. State parks include Lake Hopatcong State Park, Swartswood State Park, Stokes State Forest and High Point State Park. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area may also have river swimming available.
Ride Bikeshop
Offers bike sales, service and rentals for path and trail.
Phone: 973-786-0307 | 3.3 miles | Directions
Kittatinny Valley State Park
Glacial lakes, limestone outcroppings, former railroads, and a small airport are features of Kittatinny Valley State Park. Lake Aeroflex and Gardner’s Pond form part of the headwaters of the Pequest River and are excellent for fishing and boating. This scenic property is home to a variety of wildlife such as whitetail deer, wild turkeys, a variety of songbirds, beavers, muskrats, and squirrels. Hunting, hiking, mountain biking, birding, and horseback riding are popular activities. The four lakes offer fishing, boating, and kayaking opportunities. The Paulinskill Valley Trail and the Sussex Branch Trail are former railroads that have been converted for use as multiple use trails. Both railroads were critical to the development of Sussex County through the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The wide cinder surface is ideal for walking, running, mountain biking, and horseback riding. When snow conditions are abundant, these trails provide excellent paths for cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. You might even see a musher and his dogsled team running down the trail!
1.2 miles | Directions
Lake Hopatcong Adventure Company
Biking, hiking, paddle boarding, HydroBikes, and kayaking. Take tours and more. Explore the hidden corners of their beautiful region on and off the water on one of their guided biking, hiking, or water tours.
Phone: 973-663-1944 | 15.2 miles | Directions
Adventure Sports
Canoe, kayak, and raft on the Delaware River.
Phone: 800-487-2628 | 33.8 miles | Directions
Kittatinny Canoes
Adventure & experience the Delaware River: canoeing, kayaking, rafting, tubing, zip lining, paintball, and camp adventures.
Phone: 800-356-2852
Seven locations between NJ and PA; Book online.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Paddlers slip down the river between low forested mountains; anglers wade the trout streams; hikers scan the valley from the ridge or peer into the 1000-foot-deep Water Gap. The 70,000-acre park welcomes those who seek the outdoors close to home.
River Rd, Columbia, NJ 07832
Phone: 570 426-2452 | 14 miles | Directions
High Point Cross Country Ski Center
Ski, take lessons, and enjoy an alpine hollow of lakes, trees, wildlife, and sweeping vistas in the snowiest spot in the metropolitan area.
Phone: 973-702-1222 | 25.2 miles | Directions
Swartswood Park Boat Rental
Row boats, kayaks, canoes and more.
Call to inquire about boat rentals.
Phone: 973-383-4200 | 11.2 miles | Directions
Riverview Outdoor Adventures Climbing School
New Jersey’s and Pennsylvania’s premier guide service and climbing school.
Phone: 908-441-8830 | Hackettstown, NJ 07840
Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail is one of the longest continuously marked footpaths in the world, measuring roughly 2,180 miles in length. The Trail goes through fourteen states along the crests and valleys of the Appalachian mountain range from the southern terminus at Springer Mountain, Georgia, to the Trail’s northern terminus at Katahdin, Maine.
Various Northwest NJ Locations
High Point State Park
With over 50 miles of trails, High Point State Park offers visitors a variety of trail options throughout the year. Designated multiple-use trails are available for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, dogsledding and snowmobiling. Trails vary in length from one half-mile to 18 miles and take visitors through unique and diverse landscapes including an Atlantic white cedar swamp, mountain ridge tops with 360-degree views, dense forests, fields and wetlands.
Phone: 973-875-4800 | 25.2 miles | Directions
Stokes State Forest
Hike, camp, fish, and enjoy the panoramic view from Sunrise Mountain along the Appalachian Trail. For those who prefer not to climb the side of a mountain with a rocky and steep trail for a few hours, there is a short drive to the pavilion at the top of the mountain.
Phone: 973-948-3820 | 14.8 miles | Directions
Spring Valley Equestrian Center
Gorgeous trail rides are available seven days a week through the fields and trails, with a view of the Appalachian Trail Ridge to High Point. English and Western horseback riding lessons are available. Weight Limit: 250lbs.
Phone: 973-383-3766 | 7.4 miles | Directions
Top View Riding Ranch
Scenic forest trails that skirt the Paulinskil, family safe horses and rides to accommodate all experience levels.
Phone: Call 908-362-1440 or text 862-266-3667 | 13 miles | Directions
Adventure and Zip Line Course at FLG X New Jersey
Their Tree Top Adventure course is an elevated obstacle course set in a Northern New Jersey forest and securely suspended between beautiful trees at 15 to 50 feet off the ground. 30+ exhilarating zip lines to satisfy your adrenaline needs.
Phone: 888-241-4582 | 16.1 miles | Directions
Mountain Creek Skiing, Terrain Park, Bike Park and Water Park
167 skiable acres on four mountain peaks. Features include 100% night skiing, the region’s most extensive snowmaking system and highest vertical at 1040 feet. Mountain Creek is also home to the region’s only true All-Mountain Terrain Park at South and Bear Peaks. The 65 acre Terrain Park is nationally renowned.
Phone: 973-827-2000 | 18.5 miles | Directions
TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park
A unique blend of wooden platforms built high in the trees and connected by exhilarating combinations of rope walks, obstacles, climbing elements, and zip lines all located in a beautiful forested setting.
Phone: 862-801-7028 | 16.6 miles | Directions
Biplane Rides at Andover Flight Academy
Rides from an open cockpit biplane are available on an appointment and walk-in basis if plane and pilot are available. Please call to set up an appointment. Ride durations can be as short or long as desired and can include barnstormer aerobatics in the designated aerobatic area. Prices are commensurate with the duration and style of ride but begin at $60. Gift certificates for both rides and training flights are available –call or stop in for more information.
Phone: 973-786-6554 | 3.9 miles | Directions
Skydive Sussex
Closest Skydiving Facility to New York. Tandem Skydiving – Beginner to Expert.
Phone: 973-702-7000 | 16.4 miles | Directions
Jersey Ridge Soaring
FAA certified pilots accompany you on a ride above some of the most scenic landscapes in the country. Enjoy the views of the Kittatinny Mountains and Delaware Water Gap as you ride in a single or two-passenger glider.
Phone: 908-362-1239 | 18 miles | Directions
Tomahawk Lake Water Park
The park’s grounds are situated on 200 acres that include an 18-hole miniature golf course, rustic outdoor beer garden featuring live music on weekends, horse-shoe and volleyball areas, an old fashioned picnic area with more than 800 tables and New Jersey’s largest white sand beach featuring an incredible 20-acre lake! Be swept away by Tomahawk Lake’s wide variety of incredible water slides and rides.
Phone: 973-398-7777 | 9.7 miles | Directions
Land of Make Believe and Pirate’s Cove
Premier Family Water Park & Amusement Park.
Phone: 908-459-9000 | 17.4 miles | Directions
Dingmans Shooting Range
DSR is committed to firearm safety training and strengthening the sport of shooting.
Phone: 570-828-7468 | 28.1 miles | Directions
Need a driver? See our recommendations. Local Transportation