Kittatinny Valley State Park

Tucked into the rolling hills of Sussex County near Andover, Kittatinny Valley State Park spreads across 5,656 acres of northwestern New Jersey’s most striking landscape. Established in 1994, the park occupies a broad swath of the Kittatinny Ridge and Valley region, where glacial lakes, hardwood forests, and open meadows create a patchwork of habitats that feels far removed from the mid-Atlantic sprawl.

The park’s centerpiece is the Paulinskill Valley Trail, a former rail corridor that cuts through the property and draws hikers, cyclists, and cross-country skiers depending on the season. Several miles of additional trails wind through mixed oak and hemlock forests, connecting to views of the surrounding ridge. Birdwatchers will find the park productive year-round, with nesting warblers in spring and raptor migrations along the Kittatinny Ridge in fall. Fishing is available at several small lakes and ponds scattered throughout the property, and horseback riding is permitted on designated trails.

Fall is arguably the best time to visit, when the hardwood canopy ignites along the ridge and cooler temperatures make trail days comfortable. Spring wildflower displays are also worth the trip. Summer can be humid, but early mornings on the trail reward those willing to beat the heat.

At coordinates 41.0164°N, 74.7439°W, Kittatinny Valley sits within easy reach of the Appalachian Trail and several other state parks in the Skylands region, making it a natural base for exploring one of New Jersey’s most underappreciated corners.

Explore Nearby

• New Jersey State Highway Routes — Scenic Byway in New Jersey
• US Highway 278 — Scenic Byway in South Carolina
• Marble Mountain Rock Collecting Area (Trilobite) — Public Land
• Cliff Ridge Hang Gliding Area — Public Land
• Uhlerstown Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Pennsylvania