Things to Do in Andover NJ: Lake Aeroflex, Trails and State Park Guide

The best things to do in Andover NJ are outdoors: Kittatinny Valley State Park, Lake Aeroflex, the Sussex Branch Trail and a small state run airport you can hike right past. Andover is actually two towns, Andover Borough and Andover Township, and together they make an easy half day or full day trip in central Sussex County.

Our team checked every listing below against NJ State Parks and the two municipal websites as of fall 2026. Here is what to do, where to park and what to know before you go.

Andover Borough vs. Andover Township

Andover Borough is the small village center along Main Street (Route 206). Its Borough Hall is at 137 Main Street, Andover, NJ 07821. Andover Township surrounds it and covers the larger, rural area, with its municipal offices at 134 Newton Sparta Road, Newton, NJ 07860. Many township addresses, including the state park, use a Newton mailing address, so do not be surprised when your GPS says Newton.

Iron gave the area its start. The Sussex Branch railroad was built in 1848 to carry iron ore from the Andover Mines to the Morris Canal, according to the Kittatinny Valley State Park history brochure. That old rail line is now one of the best trails in the county.

Kittatinny Valley State Park

Kittatinny Valley State Park is the centerpiece of any Andover visit. Per the NJ State Parks history brochure, the park began in 1994 when the Green Acres program bought the 948 acre Hussey property, and it has since grown to 5,656 acres. The old Hussey farmhouse opened as the park’s Visitor Center in 2003.

The park office and Visitor Center are on Goodale Road (Newton, NJ 07860, phone 973-786-6445), per the official park trail map. The park has 11 official trails totaling more than 15 miles, with options for every level.

Lake Aeroflex

Lake Aeroflex is the park’s signature lake. The YMCA ran Jersey Boys’ Camp Wawayanda on what was then Slater Lake starting in 1919, and in 1954 the property was bought to serve as headquarters for the Aeroflex Corporation, per the state’s history brochure. Today the Explorer Trail and Glacial Trail run along its edge.

The Andover Township recreation page lists hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, hunting and boating at the park, with no gasoline motors allowed. That makes Lake Aeroflex a quiet spot for kayaks and canoes.

Best Short Hikes in the Park

Trail lengths below come from the NJ State Parks trail map:

• Glacial Trail, 2.6 miles: Starts 50 yards west of the Visitor Center parking area, follows Lake Aeroflex and ends at the airport.
• Explorer Trail, 1.6 miles: Runs along the lake and next to Aeroflex-Andover Airport.
• Twin Lakes Trail and Mount Nebo Trail, 0.8 mile each: Twin Lakes Trail follows the north end of Twin Lakes, and Mount Nebo offers views over them.
• Andover Junction Trail, 1.0 mile: The trailhead is 400 feet north of its own parking lot off Route 206.
• Hemlock Trail, 0.8 mile: Starts at the Visitor Center parking area.

Looking for more autumn walks nearby? See our guide to fall foliage hikes in Sussex County.

The Sussex Branch Trail

The Sussex Branch Trail is a flat, easy, multi use rail trail of about 20 miles, marked red and white, per the NJ State Parks trail guide. About 3 miles pass through Kittatinny Valley State Park, with a trailhead across from the park entrance road.

Head north and the trail meets the Paulinskill Valley Trail and the Great Valley Rail-Trail, forming a rail trail loop of about 14 miles, before reaching its northern end in Branchville. Head south and it passes the park’s group campground and Whites Pond on its way to its southern end at Waterloo Road near Waterloo Village. The state acquired the rail line in two sections in 1979 and 1982 and converted it into a trail. It is a great choice for families, strollers and casual bike rides.

Aeroflex-Andover Airport

Aeroflex-Andover Airport borders the state park and is one of its more unusual sights. Frederick Hussey II, owner of the Aeroflex Corporation, built the runway and airport facilities in 1957, and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service now operates them, according to the state’s history brochure. You can see the field from the Explorer Trail, and the Glacial Trail ends there. Please stay on marked trails and off the airfield.

Hillside Park

Andover Township’s Hillside Park is the township’s main recreation hub. Per the township recreation page, the roughly 500 acre park sits between Lake Iliff Road and Goodale Road and has ball fields, tennis courts, a volleyball court, basketball courts, a playground and a pavilion. The park’s Hall and House, known as The Barn, can be rented March through December by appointment through the municipal clerk’s office.

The township’s Recreation Committee also runs seasonal community events, including an Easter Egg Hunt, Andover Township Day and a Christmas Tree Lighting. Check the township site for current dates.

Nearby: Lafayette and Newton

Andover is a quick drive from two of the county’s best food and shopping stops.

• Lafayette: The Shoppes at Lafayette, 75 Route 15 in Lafayette Township, is a village style shopping destination in the former Olde Lafayette Village that hosts events like Saturday Cars and Coffee, a seasonal farmers market and the annual Garlic Fest. See our Garlic Fest at the Shoppes at Lafayette guide.
• Newton: The county seat is next door. Our guide on where to eat in Newton NJ has lunch and dinner picks after a morning on the trails.

Know Before You Go

• Two towns: Andover Borough (Main Street, Route 206) and Andover Township are separate municipalities. The state park uses a Newton mailing address.
• Parking: Use the Visitor Center lot on Goodale Road for Lake Aeroflex and the Glacial and Hemlock trails, or the Andover Junction Trail lot off Route 206.
• Boating: No gasoline motors, per Andover Township’s description of the park.
• Pets: Leashed, six feet maximum, and under control, per the park map. Pick up after your dog.
• Carry in, carry out: Trash cans are not provided on the trails.
• Wildlife and ticks: Black bears live in the area. Never feed or approach one, and report aggressive bears to 1-877-WARN-DEP. Use repellent and do a tick check after your hike.
• Hours: The state map does not list hours. Call the park office at 973-786-6445 to confirm Visitor Center hours, especially in late fall and winter.

Planning more time in the Skylands? See our guides to things to do in Sussex County.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kittatinny Valley State Park in Andover?

Yes. Andover Township lists the park among its recreation areas, on Limecrest Road. The park office on Goodale Road uses a Newton mailing address.

Can you kayak on Lake Aeroflex?

Yes. Andover Township lists boating at Kittatinny Valley State Park with no gasoline motors, which makes it a good fit for kayaks and canoes.

How long is the Sussex Branch Trail?

About 20 miles total, with roughly 3 miles inside Kittatinny Valley State Park. It runs from Waterloo Road in the south to Branchville in the north.

Are dogs allowed at Kittatinny Valley State Park?

The official park trail map says pets must be leashed on a leash no longer than six feet and kept under control. Pick up after your pet.

What is the Aeroflex-Andover Airport?

It is a small airfield bordering the state park, built in 1957 by Frederick Hussey II and now operated by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

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Primary sources for this guide: NJ State Parks Kittatinny Valley history brochure, Kittatinny Valley State Park trail map, NJ State Parks trail guide, Andover Township Recreation, Andover Borough and The Shoppes at Lafayette.

Featured photo: Lake Aeroflex at Kittatinny Valley State Park. Photo by Zeete via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.