Best Fall Foliage Hikes in Sussex County, NJ: 5 Trails and Parks Worth the Drive

We picked five Sussex County trails and parks that put fall color within easy reach, from the Appalachian Trail ridgelines to a quiet state park outside Newton. Distances and difficulty come from published hiking guides, so check current trail conditions before you go.

Sunrise Mountain, Stokes State Forest, Branchville

The Sunrise Mountain loop starts at the Stony Lake parking lot, 1 Coursen Road, Branchville, NJ 07826. njHiking.com lists it as an 8.5 mile hike, moderate to difficult, that links the Blue Mountain Loop, the Appalachian Trail and Stony Brook. Hikers climb through dense forest to ridge views over northern New Jersey and reach a Civilian Conservation Corps stone pavilion at the summit. The guide notes a parking fee only from Memorial Day to Labor Day, so it does not apply to a fall visit. NJ Skylands warns that Stokes lots approach capacity in fall, so we suggest arriving early.

High Point State Park, Wantage

High Point State Park, 1480 State Route 23, Wantage, NJ 07461, holds the highest elevation in New Jersey at 1,803 feet. The Monument Trail is a 7.7 mile round trip from the Appalachian Trail hiker lot on Route 23, with shorter 3.8 and 3.5 mile options, according to njHiking.com. The 220 foot monument has 291 interior stairs, though the interior opens only on weekends, staff permitting. The hiker lot is free, while driving to the monument area can carry an entrance fee at certain times, so confirm current rates with the park at 973-875-4800.

Stairway to Heaven, Vernon

The trailhead is at 893 County Road 517, Vernon, NJ 07418. The route runs 7.3 miles round trip, moderate to challenging, crossing the Pochuck boardwalk before a steep climb up rock slab steps to Pinwheel Vista. njHiking.com calls it excellent for fall foliage. Parking is limited to roughly 15 to 20 cars along the shoulder of Route 517, and the guide warns of possible tickets for illegal parking and weekend restrictions on nearby streets.

Tillman Ravine, Stokes State Forest

Tillman Ravine sits in the southwest corner of Stokes State Forest. NJ Skylands describes the terrain as moderate to challenging, with steeper ground, hemlock covered slopes and the High Falls cascades. Forest headquarters is off US 206 north of Culver Lake and can be reached at 973-948-3820 for maps and current conditions.

Kittatinny Valley State Park, Newton

Kittatinny Valley State Park is on Goodale Road, Newton, NJ 07860. Its glacial lakes, limestone outcroppings and former rail beds make for gentler walking and mountain biking, and Lake Aeroflex and Gardner’s Pond feed the Pequest River. A listing on Get Outside NJ reports no entrance fee, and alcohol is not permitted in the park.

Looking for more autumn plans? Pair a foliage hike with our apple and pumpkin picking guide, our October things to do list, or where to find fall food across Sussex County.

Featured photo: Niki Clark via Pexels.