Things to Do in Sussex County NJ: 25 Year Round Ideas

Looking for things to do in Sussex County NJ that work in any season? Our team rounded up 25 year-round ideas across the county’s 24 towns, from New Jersey’s highest point to a zinc mine you can walk into.

Each idea below lists the town and a link to the official source we used. Several spots are seasonal, and we flag those. For dated picks this month, see our November guide to things to do in Sussex County. For the coming Friday to Sunday, start with things to do this weekend.

Explore Sussex County by Town

We also publish town guides for things to do across Sussex County. Live guides include Newton, Sparta, Vernon, Hopatcong, Wantage, Andover, Franklin, Fredon, Stanhope, Hamburg and Hardyston, and Green Township. For every municipality at a glance, see our Sussex County NJ towns overview.

Mountains and State Parks

1. Stand on New Jersey’s highest point at High Point State Park

High Point State Park sits on the crest of Kittatinny Mountain in the far northern tip of the county, with a mailing address of 1480 State Route 23, Sussex. The monument area marks the highest point in New Jersey at 1,803 feet. Lake Marcia, cabins and a campground round it out, per its official listing. See our High Point fall foliage guide.

2. Drive or hike to Sunrise Mountain in Stokes State Forest

Stokes State Forest covers more than 16,000 acres along the Kittatinny ridge, with its office at 1 Coursen Road off Route 206 (Branchville mailing address) and land reaching into Sandyston. Sunrise Mountain, at 1,653 feet, is the forest’s high point and its best known view. Details are on the state’s Stokes listing. Our Stokes State Forest guide covers trails and cabins.

3. Walk the hemlock gorge at Tillman Ravine

Also inside Stokes State Forest, Tillman Ravine is a short walk through a narrow gorge under tall hemlocks, with Tillman Brook running alongside the trail. Our waterfalls in Sussex County guide covers Tillman Ravine alongside Buttermilk Falls.

4. Paddle or picnic at Swartswood State Park

Swartswood State Park in Stillwater Township is known as New Jersey’s first state park. It wraps around 519 acre Swartswood Lake and smaller Little Swartswood Lake, and only electric motors are allowed on the water. The park is open year round, per its official listing. See our Swartswood State Park guide.

5. Explore Wawayanda State Park from the Vernon side

Wawayanda State Park covers more than 34,000 acres across the Sussex and Passaic county line, with the Sussex side in Vernon Township. The park has more than 25 marked trails covering more than 50 miles, plus trails along Wawayanda Lake and Laurel Pond, per the NJDEP park brochure.

6. Ride the Sussex Branch Trail through Kittatinny Valley State Park

The Sussex Branch Trail is a flat rail trail of about 19 to 20 miles that runs from Waterloo Road in Byram north to Branchville, passing through Kittatinny Valley State Park in Andover. It is open to walkers, cyclists and horseback riders, per the NJ State Parks brochure. Our Sussex Branch Trail guide has trailheads and tips.

Trails, Waterfalls and Lakes

7. Cross the Appalachian Trail’s Pochuck Boardwalk in Vernon

The Pochuck Boardwalk carries the Appalachian Trail over the Pochuck Creek wetlands in Vernon. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy lists it as an easy 2.0 mile round trip from NJ 517, with a 144 foot suspension bridge over the creek. Parking is curbside along NJ 517.

8. Climb the Stairway to Heaven to Pinwheel’s Vista

A few minutes from the boardwalk, off Route 94, the Appalachian Trail climbs Wawayanda Mountain on rock steps known as the Stairway to Heaven. The NY-NJ Trail Conference lists it as a 2.6 mile out and back from the Route 94 lot with about 900 feet of climbing, rated strenuous.

9. See Buttermilk Falls in Walpack

Buttermilk Falls, in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Walpack Township, is described by the National Park Service as one of the tallest waterfalls in New Jersey. The trail climbs from the base of the falls for 1.4 miles one way, with an elevation change of 1,104 feet. Swimming and wading are not allowed in the falls or within 50 feet upstream. Our Delaware Water Gap Sussex County guide covers Walpack and nearby trails.

10. Drive historic Old Mine Road

Old Mine Road is the main north to south route on the New Jersey side of the Delaware Water Gap, running through Walpack and into Sandyston and Montague. The National Park Service dates the road to the mid 1600s and suggests budgeting one to three hours to tour it.

11. Get out on Lake Hopatcong from Hopatcong Borough

Lake Hopatcong is the largest lake in New Jersey, and the Borough of Hopatcong is the Sussex County town on its shore. The borough has parks, a kayak launch and part of the Lake Hopatcong Trail, per the Hopatcong parks and trails page. More lakes are in our lakes in Sussex County guide.

12. Stroll White Deer Plaza at Lake Mohawk in Sparta

White Deer Plaza, with its Tudor style storefronts and tiered boardwalk, is Lake Mohawk’s public face in Sparta Township. The lake itself is private, so plan on the plaza’s shops and restaurants rather than the water.

Family Attractions and Sports

13. Ski, bike or zipline at Mountain Creek

Mountain Creek at 200 Route 94 in Vernon is a four season resort. Winter brings skiing and snowtubing. Warmer months bring the waterpark, a bike park, zip tours and an alpine mountain coaster. See our Mountain Creek ski resort guide.

14. Visit Space Farms Zoo and Museum (seasonal)

Space Farms Zoo and Museum at 218 County Road 519 in Wantage (Sussex mailing address) has more than 500 live animals across over 100 species and a museum of antique cars and artifacts. The 2026 season closed after November 1. The zoo is closed for winter and plans to reopen in spring 2027 for its 100th year. Our Space Farms guide has the details.

15. Step into the Old West at Wild West City (seasonal)

Wild West City is a Western theme park in Byram Township, with a mailing address of 50 Lackawanna Drive, Stanhope. Expect a train, live Western shows and town shops. The theme park is closed for the 2026 season and returns in spring.

16. Catch a Sussex County Miners game at Skylands Stadium

Skylands Stadium, at 94 Championship Place in Augusta (Frankford Township), is home to the Sussex County Miners of the Frontier League. The 2026 season has wrapped, with baseball back in 2027. Off season, the stadium hosts concerts, markets and special events. Our Skylands Stadium visitor guide covers the ballpark.

17. Go to the New Jersey State Fair at the Sussex County Fairgrounds

The New Jersey State Fair / Sussex County Farm and Horse Show is held each summer at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road in Augusta. The fair’s website lists the 2027 dates as August 6 to 14, 2027. The fairgrounds host a farmers market and horse shows too. Our Sussex County Fair guide covers the show.

History, Minerals and the Arts

18. Tour the Sterling Hill Mining Museum in Ogdensburg

At 30 Plant Street in Ogdensburg, the Sterling Hill Mining Museum offers roughly two hour guided tours of a former zinc mine and two museums. From September 8, 2026 through June 26, 2027, public tours run on weekends at 1 p.m. It is 56 degrees in the mine, so bring a jacket. Our Sterling Hill Mining Museum guide has more.

19. See the glowing rocks at the Franklin Mineral Museum

Neighboring Franklin calls itself the Fluorescent Mineral Capital of the World, and the Franklin Mineral Museum is its showcase for local minerals and fluorescent displays. Our Franklin minerals guide has the details.

20. Walk Waterloo Village on the Morris Canal

Waterloo Village is a restored 19th century canal village at 525 Waterloo Road in Byram Township (Stanhope mailing address), part of the state park system. The Canal Society of New Jersey runs a canal museum there with hands on exhibits, so check its site for open days before you go.

21. Shop handmade work at Peters Valley School of Craft

Peters Valley School of Craft at 19 Kuhn Road in Layton (Sandyston Township) sits inside the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and has brought artists together since 1970. It runs craft workshops plus a gallery and shop.

22. See a show at the Newton Theatre

The historic Newton Theatre at 234 Spring Street in Newton is run by the Skylands Performing Arts Center (SkyPAC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Its calendar leans toward live music.

Farms, Food and Seasonal Favorites

23. Pick apples and pumpkins at local farms

Fall is farm season across the county, including festival farms like Heaven Hill Farm at 451 Route 94 in Vernon. Our apple and pumpkin picking guide lists the farms, seasons and what each one offers.

24. Bike the Paulinskill Valley Trail

The Paulinskill Valley Trail is another rail trail that crosses the county, and it meets the Sussex Branch Trail near Kittatinny Valley State Park, forming a loop with the Great Valley Rail-Trail, per the NJ State Parks brochure.

25. Eat your way through the county’s main streets

Every town has its own food scene. A good start is Sparta, where White Deer Plaza and nearby streets pack in cafes and restaurants. See our Sparta and Lake Mohawk restaurant guide.

Know Before You Go

• Seasonal attractions change with the calendar. Space Farms and Wild West City close for winter. Sterling Hill runs weekend only public tours from September through June. State park swimming areas are summer only.
• Check road conditions out west. Old Mine Road and roads near Buttermilk Falls and Tillman Ravine can close for construction or weather.
• Park legally at trailheads. Parking is limited at the Pochuck Boardwalk and the Stairway to Heaven. Arrive early on weekends.

More Sussex County Guides

For colder months, see our winter things to do in Sussex County and December holiday picks. Indoor options are in our indoor activities guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sussex County NJ known for?

It is known for High Point State Park, home to New Jersey’s highest point at 1,803 feet, plus the Appalachian Trail, Lake Hopatcong, fluorescent minerals in Franklin and Ogdensburg, and the New Jersey State Fair in Augusta.

What is there to do in Sussex County NJ in winter?

Skiing and snowtubing at Mountain Creek in Vernon, weekend tours at the Sterling Hill Mining Museum, live shows at the Newton Theatre and walks on the Sussex Branch Trail are all good winter options.

What is free to do in Sussex County NJ?

Many outdoor spots are free to walk into, including the Pochuck Boardwalk, Buttermilk Falls, Old Mine Road and the Sussex Branch Trail. Some state parks charge seasonal parking fees, so check before you go.

Which towns are in Sussex County NJ?

Sussex County has 24 municipalities, including Newton, the county seat, plus Sparta, Vernon, Hopatcong, Franklin, Ogdensburg, Byram, Stanhope, Wantage, Frankford, Sandyston and Walpack. Our towns overview lists all 24.

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Primary sources for this guide: NJ Outdoors: High Point State Park, NJ Outdoors: Stokes State Forest, NJ Outdoors: Swartswood State Park, NJDEP Wawayanda brochure, NJ State Parks Kittatinny Valley brochure, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, NY-NJ Trail Conference, NPS Buttermilk Falls Trail, NPS Old Mine Road, Borough of Hopatcong, Mountain Creek, Space Farms, Wild West City, Sussex County Miners, Sussex County Fairgrounds, Sterling Hill Mining Museum, Canal Society of New Jersey, Peters Valley School of Craft, SkyPAC.