Voorhees State Park sits on 1,336 acres of rolling Hunterdon County highlands near Glen Gardner, offering one of New Jersey’s best combinations of hiking, stargazing, and Depression-era history. Established in 1927, the park owes much of its character to the Civilian Conservation Corps, whose workers built the shelters, trails, and stone structures that still define the landscape today.

The park’s crown jewel is the New Jersey Astronomical Association’s Paul Robinson Observatory, perched at one of the highest points in the region. On clear weekend nights, volunteers open the facility to the public for free telescope viewing — a rare opportunity to see Saturn’s rings or deep-sky objects without driving hours from civilization. The park’s elevation and relative distance from major light pollution make it one of the better stargazing spots in central New Jersey.

A network of trails winds through hardwood forests and along ridgelines, with the 0.5-mile Brookside Trail offering an easy family walk and the more demanding Hill Acres Trail climbing to panoramic views of the surrounding farmland. Spring wildflowers and fall foliage are particular highlights.

The park offers a small campground with tent and trailer sites, though amenities are modest — expect pit toilets and no hookups. Reservations are recommended during summer weekends.

Visit in late September through mid-October for peak fall color and comfortable hiking temperatures, or time a summer visit around the observatory’s public viewing schedule. Voorhees rewards visitors who come looking for quiet woods and dark skies rather than crowds and attractions.

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