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Sparta, New Jersey

Top Spots in and near Sparta

  • Rockaway, New Jersey

    Hike the Timberbrook Pond - Riley's Rise Loop

    5 mi / 500 ft gain
    The trailhead parking is at the end of Timberbrook Road, before the road enters Camp Winnebago (Boy Scouts). I hiked this in a clockwise directions starting on the Timberbrook Trail (yellow markers).  After about 1 mile the trail ends at a junction with the Four Birds Trail (white markers).  Turn...
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  • Jefferson, New Jersey

    Thru Hike the Four Birds Trail

    19 mi / 1200 ft gain
    The Four Birds Trail is about 19 miles long and is a great thru hike or can be done in sections as out and back hikes or part of loop hikes with other trails.  Starting from the north, the trail ascends gradually over easy terrain until you reach a cliff ridge.  There are several good view points...
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  • 89 Van Orden Road, New Jersey

    Hike the Hank's Pond Loop

    7 mi / 500 ft gain
    Hank's Pond loop can be accessed from the south at the corner of Clinton road and Van Orden road or from the north, parking at the lot on Stephens road.  I hiked from the south on this trip.  Follow the wide trail known as Hank's East trail marked with white blazes.  Soon you will reach a trail c...
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  • Sandyston, New Jersey

    Hike the AT to Culvers Lookout Tower

    3.2 mi
    Start your journey in Stokes State Forest at the Culver Gap Parking Lot, located at 41.180239, -74.787954. From the parking lot, jump on over to the Appalachian Trail and hike Northbound. You know you're headed the right way if you are going away from the small town and cross over Sunrise Mountai...
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  • Frankford, New Jersey

    Picnic at the Sunrise Mountain Pavilion

    This pavilion is one of the key features along the New Jersey section of the Appalachian Trail. There is a parking lot a very short hike part way down the mountain, but I recommend backpacking in from a different area to take in more of the beauty of the trail, mountains, and views in this area. ...
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  • Boonton Township, New Jersey

    Hike Pyramid Mountain to Tripod Rock

    4.0
    This is a fun hike that is great for the entire family. The trails are really well maintained and Tripod Rock is a pretty amazing feature to check out. You can hike to the rock and follow your steps back to the parking lot for a 3 mile round trip or continue along the trail for a 4.4 mile loop. I...
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  • Vernon Township, New Jersey

    Stairway to Heaven

    4.8
    6.8 mi / 1089 ft gain
    This popular hike starts out on the Appalachian Trail (AT, white blazes). You begin on a boardwalk that crosses over a marsh, then you leave the boardwalk and enter a forested area. At around 1.4 miles, follow a bicycle path, Canal Road, then turn right, cross over a bridge, and take a left throu...
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  • West Milford, New Jersey

    Hike the Terrace Pond North - South Loop

    10.7 mi / 1200 ft gain
    From Warwick Road, parking at the northernmost road side parking area, cross the road, and the Terrace Pond North trail (marked with blue blazes) begins as a steady climb until you gain a ridge that offers some great views for several miles. Eventually, you'll reach a power line where you turn ri...
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  • Lehman township, Pennsylvania

    Hike to Hornbeck's Creek Waterfall

    4.3
    1.2 mi
    GPS Coordinates: 41.187148,-74.885454Driving Directions: From 209, enter into the Delaware Water Gap and in between the 10 and 11 mile markers you will see a sign for Hornbecks Creek with a gravel road adjacent to it. Follow the road back until you reach the parking lot and the trail will be to t...
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  • Sandyston, New Jersey

    Explore the Sussex County Sunflower Maze

    5.0
    3 mi
    I stumbled upon the Sunflower Maze by accident when I was driving through NJ and was quickly distracted by the enormous yellow flowers. So of course, I had to check it out! It opens at 9AM and last admission is at 6PM. The maze is only open from around August to October for the flower bloom. 3...
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  • Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania

    Canoe and Camp in the Delaware Water Gap

    4.7
    This is one of those easy, simple and truly relaxing adventures you can embark on this summer. Thanks to outfitters such as Kittatinny Canoes you'll have everything ready for you when you arrive, minus of course your camping gear. They will pick you up at the destination of your choice along the ...
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  • Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania

    Hike to Indian Ladder Falls Along Hornbecks Creek

    3.5
    2 mi / 400 ft gain
    For some time, the trail was eroded above the first falls on Hornbecks Creek, not allowing hikers to access the creek's upper falls if they were coming upstream from Route 209. I am writing this in June 2017 and that is no longer the case! You can hike from Rt. 209 all the way up the creek to Eme...
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  • Wantage, New Jersey

    Hike the Iris Tail - Appalachian Tail Loop

    4.0
    9 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Start this hike from the Appalachian Trail parking area off route 23, south bound side, south of the park office. Follow the Blue Dot trail until is intersects with the Iris Trail. The Iris Trail (marked with red blazes) is a through hike that is about 5 miles long. It parallels the Appalachian T...
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  • Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania

    Explore Dingmans Falls

    3.8
    0.4 mi
    The waterfall is about 0.2 miles into the hike. I would recommend going to the very top of the biggest waterfall towards the end of the hike, there are steps leading up to it! There's also a hidden water hole at the very top of the waterfall about 0.2 miles up stream, I saw people in it during th...
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  • West Milford, New Jersey

    Hike Bearfort Mountain

    5.0
    5.06 mi / 1007 ft gain
    Bearfort Mountain is a great weekend morning hike that borders NJ and NY. Parking can be tricky as the entrance to the lot looks like it is Greenwood Lake Marina's boat storage area. Once parked, find the trail entrance at the top of the little hill and continue to the blue on white marked trail....
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  • Warwick, New York

    Enjoy a Film at the Historic Warwick Drive-In

    Take a trip back in time at the Warwick Drive-In and watch a feature film on the big screen. The Drive-In shows movies just in theaters and older films with three different screens / options to chose from. The theater sells tickets for both one movie and for double features, i.e. watch two movies...
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Camping and Lodging in Sparta

Delaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA Holiday
East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Delaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA Holiday

Alosa Campsites
Middle Smithfield Township, Pennsylvania

Alosa Campsites

Bear Mountain Inn
Tomkins Cove, New York

Bear Mountain Inn

From $109 / night

Camp Gateway   Staten Island
Staten Island, New York

Camp Gateway Staten Island

Camp Gateway  Brooklyn Ny
Brooklyn, New York

Camp Gateway Brooklyn Ny

Guides, Insights and Stories from Sparta

5 Reasons to Plan a Summer Getaway to Bear Mountain, New York

5 Reasons to Plan a Summer Getaway to Bear Mountain, New York

Sara Sheehy

Escape the Bustle of New York City with a Weekend at Bear Mountain

Escape the Bustle of New York City with a Weekend at Bear Mountain

The Outbound Collective