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The best places to go sledding in Sussex County NJ are the state parks where sledding is an approved activity: High Point State Park, Kittatinny Valley State Park, Stokes State Forest and Swartswood State Park, all listed for sledding by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry. If you would rather ride tubing lanes without the walk back up, the paid alternative is snow tubing at Mountain Creek in Vernon.
Our team kept this list to places an official park, township or college page names, plus one local favorite in Newton. Sledding is free at all the parks below, but conditions depend entirely on natural snow, so read our tip section before you load the car. For the rest of the season, our winter things to do in Sussex County guide covers skiing, snowshoeing and shows.
Sledding in Sussex County at a Glance
- State parks that list sledding: High Point (Wantage), Kittatinny Valley (Andover and Newton area), Stokes State Forest (Branchville area) and Swartswood (Stillwater)
- Local favorite: the hill at Sussex County Community College in Newton
- Paid option: Mountain Creek snow tubing in Vernon, two hour sessions booked online
- Cost: Sledding is free; High Point charges no vehicle fee from Labor Day to Memorial Day weekend; tubing is ticketed
- Best timing: the morning after a fresh snowfall of a few inches, before the hills get packed to ice
Free Sledding at Sussex County State Parks
The New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry’s park activity list names the state parks where sledding is an approved activity. Four of them are in Sussex County. The state does not mark a single official hill in most of these parks, so use open, gentle slopes away from roads, parking lots, trees and frozen water.
High Point State Park (Wantage)
The park around New Jersey’s highest point sits on high ground that tends to hold snow longer than the valley towns. The park runs a cross country ski center on groomed trails north of Route 23 when there is natural snow, and its winter map lists snowshoe, cross country ski and dogsled trails. Read our High Point State Park guide for the monument and trails.
- Address: 1480 Route 23, Wantage
- Cost: Free to sled; no vehicle entry fee from Labor Day to Memorial Day weekend
- Snow conditions: High Point Cross Country Ski Center, 973-702-1222
- Website: High Point winter trail map (NJDEP)
Swartswood State Park (Stillwater)
Stillwater Township’s park page puts it plainly: winter sports at Swartswood include cross country skiing, sledding and ice fishing, at your own discretion. It is an easy trip from downtown Newton.
- Address: 1091 County Road 619, Newton, NJ 07860 (Stillwater Township)
- Phone: 973-383-5230
- Cost: Free to sled
- Website: Stillwater Township: Swartswood State Park
Our Swartswood State Park guide covers the lakes and trails for a warmer day.
Kittatinny Valley State Park (Andover)
Kittatinny Valley is listed by the state for sledding, and its rail trails are popular for cross country skiing and snowshoeing when there is enough snow. Check in at the park office on Goodale Road for the best open ground.
- Address: 199 Goodale Road, Newton, NJ 07860 (Andover Township)
- Phone: 973-786-6445
- Cost: Free to sled
- Website: Sussex Skylands: Kittatinny Valley State Park
See our Sussex Branch Trail and Kittatinny Valley guide.
Stokes State Forest (Branchville area)
Stokes is a large state forest, so call the office before you drive up to ask about plowed lots and open areas after a storm.
- Office: Stokes State Forest office on Coursen Road
- Phone: 973-948-3820
- Cost: Free to sled
- Website: Stokes State Forest trail guide (NJDEP)
Our Stokes State Forest guide has Sunrise Mountain and the cabins.
A Local Favorite Hill
Sussex County Community College (Newton)
The college campus in Newton is a known local sledding spot; the Township Journal included it in its 2022 list of the best local spots for outdoor winter fun. It is an active campus, not a park, so follow any posted signs, park only where allowed and stay clear of campus roads and buildings.
- Address: One College Hill Road, Newton, NJ 07860
- Cost: Free
- Website: sussex.edu
The Paid Alternative: Snow Tubing at Mountain Creek
Mountain Creek Snowtubing (Vernon)
If the kids want speed without the long walk back up, Mountain Creek’s snowtubing park runs tubing lanes in Cobblestone Village. Sessions are two hours, tickets are sold online only, and riders must be at least 42 inches tall to ride alone; riders from 36 to 42 inches ride tandem with an adult. Last season, sessions were $49.99 each. Our snow tubing at Mountain Creek guide has hours, tickets and tips.
- Address: 200 Route 94, Vernon; tubing entrance in the Vernon General Parking Lot, across from The Appalachian
- Season: winter, depending on conditions; check the resort for the 2026 to 2027 opening
- Cost: $49.99 per two hour session last season; tickets online only
- Website: Mountain Creek snowtubing
Planning a full ski day instead? See our Mountain Creek ski resort guide.
Tip From Our Team: Before You Go
State park sledding depends on natural snow, and higher ground tends to hold it longer, so the higher parks may still have snow when lower towns do not. Call the park office or the High Point ski center line for conditions, and go early, since winter daylight is short. Park only in plowed lots, never along the shoulder. Sled feet first, pick a slope with a long flat runout, keep well away from roads, trees and frozen ponds, and pack dry gloves and a thermos for the ride home. Then warm up at one of the best coffee shops in Sussex County.
FAQ
Where can you go sledding in Sussex County NJ?
The New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry lists sledding at High Point State Park, Kittatinny Valley State Park, Stokes State Forest and Swartswood State Park, all in Sussex County. The hill at Sussex County Community College in Newton is a local favorite.
Is sledding allowed at High Point State Park?
Yes. High Point is on the state’s list of parks where sledding is an approved activity. For snow conditions, call the High Point Cross Country Ski Center at 973-702-1222.
Is sledding allowed at Swartswood State Park?
Yes. Stillwater Township lists sledding, cross country skiing and ice fishing as winter sports at Swartswood, at your own discretion.
Do you have to pay to sled at New Jersey state parks?
No. Sledding itself is free, and High Point State Park charges no vehicle entry fee from Labor Day to Memorial Day weekend. Check each park for any parking rules.
Is there snow tubing in Sussex County?
Yes. Mountain Creek in Vernon runs a snowtubing park with two hour sessions sold online. Last season, sessions cost $49.99.
What else is there to do in Sussex County in winter?
Skiing, snowshoeing, skating and holiday shows. See our winter things to do guide and our ice skating guide.
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