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Looking for things to do in Wantage NJ? Our team put together this guide to one of the biggest townships in Sussex County by area, home to the entrance of High Point State Park, a working farm market and creamery, a family vineyard and a handful of well kept township parks. Wantage covers more than 67 square miles of the Kittatinny Valley and completely surrounds Sussex Borough, so you will see “Sussex, NJ 07461” on a lot of Wantage addresses.
The short version: hike or drive up to the High Point Monument, stop at Green Valley Farms for beef and homemade ice cream, sip at Ventimiglia Vineyard on a weekend afternoon, and let the kids and dogs run at Woodbourne Park or the Wantage Dog Park. Here is everything, with details checked against each official website as of fall 2026.
High Point State Park
High Point State Park lists its address as 1480 State Route 23 in Wantage, and it is the main reason many visitors find Wantage in the first place. The park is home to the High Point Monument, a memorial to New Jersey’s veterans that stands near the state’s highest elevation, 1,803 feet. The summit area sits along the line between Wantage and Montague, so you will see both townships claim it.
The monument and the views
Per the park’s website, the interior of the High Point Monument opens on weekends and holidays from Labor Day through Columbus Day, so by November the climb to the top is closed for the season. The grounds around the monument still follow park gate hours, and the views over three states are the draw any time of year. If you want to walk rather than drive to the top, the yellow monument walking path is about 1 mile round trip from the Monument Trail and Interpretive Center lot, with a steep final climb.
Trails and Lake Marcia
The park has more than 50 miles of trails. Highlights include the 3.5 mile Monument Trail loop (rated moderate to difficult, with rocky footing), about 18 miles of the white blazed Appalachian Trail, and the Dryden Kuser Natural Area with its Atlantic white cedar bog, reached by the Cedar Swamp, Monument and Steenykill trails. Lake Marcia, a spring fed 20 acre lake near the day use area, is a pretty stop for a picnic; boats, kayaks and paddleboards are not permitted there.
For more on the park, see our High Point State Park fall foliage guide and our High Point cabins and camping guide.
Green Valley Farms Market and Creamery
Green Valley Farms at 997 Route 23 is a Wantage favorite for all natural, USDA certified beef from cattle raised on the farm, plus homemade ice cream. The farm market and creamery is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 7:30 p.m., per the farm’s website.
Mark your calendar for the farm’s Christmas Market on Saturday, December 12, 2026, with vendors, crafters and free pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Check the farm’s website for times. If you missed the fall festival this year, read our recap of the Green Valley Farms BBQ and Harvest Festival to plan for next season.
Ventimiglia Vineyard
Ventimiglia Vineyard pours its wines on the 50 acre Rocky Ridge Farm at 101 Layton Road. Open tastings run every Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and every Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., with no reservation needed and a $5 tasting fee, according to the vineyard’s website. There are hiking trails on the property, and outdoor tastings at picnic tables run from late spring into early autumn, weather permitting. Groups of eight or more are asked to reach out ahead of time, and private tastings can be arranged by email. Check the vineyard’s calendar before you go late in the season.
Space Farms Zoo and Museum
No Wantage list is complete without Space Farms Zoo and Museum at 218 County Road 519. The 100 acre zoo and museum is home to more than 500 animals from over 100 species, plus nine museum buildings filled with antique cars, motorcycles, carriages, sleighs and farm machinery. The 2026 season ran daily through Sunday, November 1, so it is closed for the winter now; watch its website for the spring reopening. Daily tickets started at $26 this season. Our Boo at the Zoo guide covers its October event.
Wantage Township Parks
Wantage maintains several parks that are worth knowing about if you live here or are visiting family. All details below are from the Wantage Township parks page, and the township asks visitors to carry in and carry out.
Woodbourne Veterans’ Memorial Park
At 145 Sherman Ridge Road, Woodbourne has more than two miles of paved walking paths, a playground, four pickleball courts, baseball, soccer and football fields, a pavilion, picnic tables and a sledding hill at the back for snow days. Bikes are not allowed on the walking paths.
Papakating Park
Papakating Park at 41 Berry Road has an 18 hole disc golf course, a wide grassy walking and biking loop, two small ponds for fishing (a license is required for ages 16 and up) and bird watching, with 81 species recorded there according to the township.
Lake Neepaulin
The township’s lake access at 47 South Shore Drive is open dawn to dusk. Kayaks, canoes, rowboats, paddleboats, sailboats and electric motors are allowed, gas engines are not, and fishing is catch and release only. Swimming and ice fishing are not allowed.
Wantage Dog Park
At 128 County Route 628, the dog park offers an eight acre fenced off leash area with separate large and small dog sections, agility equipment and a shelter. The township notes it is not an official municipal park.
Beemerville, Quarryville and Wantage History
Wantage was incorporated on February 21, 1798, as one of New Jersey’s original townships, and it is believed to be named for Wantage, England. It is made up of small crossroads communities, including Beemerville, Quarryville, Colesville, Libertyville and Woodbourne, connected by farm roads that make for a relaxing scenic drive. The township is also home to Sussex Airport, a small general aviation airport.
Where to Eat Near Wantage
Because Wantage wraps around Sussex Borough, the closest dining cluster is in the borough’s downtown. Our guide to the best restaurants in Sussex, NJ covers the spots a short drive from almost anywhere in Wantage.
Know Before You Go
- High Point fees: per the park’s website, the vehicle fee is charged only from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, so entry is free in the off season.
- High Point hours: park gates are open 8 a.m. to sunset from April 1 through November 30. Call the park office at 973-875-4800 for winter access and monument updates.
- Weather: High Point is noticeably colder and windier than the valley floor. Bring layers and check conditions before driving up.
- Seasonal hours change: confirm farm, vineyard and zoo hours on each official website before you go.
- Town Hall: Wantage Township’s municipal building is at 888 State Highway 23, 973-875-7192.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is High Point State Park in Wantage?
Yes. The park’s official address is 1480 State Route 23, Wantage. The park also extends into neighboring Montague, and the summit sits near the line between the two townships.
Is High Point State Park free?
From Labor Day to Memorial Day weekend, there is no vehicle fee. A per vehicle fee applies from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, per the park’s website.
Can you climb the High Point Monument in November?
No. The monument interior opens on weekends and holidays from Labor Day through Columbus Day only. You can still walk the grounds around it during park hours.
Is Space Farms open in the winter?
No. The 2026 season ran through November 1. Check spacefarms.com for the spring reopening date.
Is Wantage the same as Sussex, NJ?
No. Sussex is a separate borough that Wantage completely surrounds. Both share the 07461 ZIP code, which is why many Wantage businesses list “Sussex, NJ” as their address.
Primary sources for this guide: NJDEP High Point State Park, NJDEP High Point Monument, Wantage Township, Wantage Township parks, Green Valley Farms, Ventimiglia Vineyard and Space Farms Zoo and Museum.
Featured photo: the Old Clove Church in Wantage. Photo by Daniel Case via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
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