Stokes State Forest Photo: Nicholas A. Tonelli from Pennsylvania, USA / CC BY 2.0
United States › New Jersey

Stokes State Forest

ByWilderness Experts

Fast facts

  • Size: about 16,000 acres (65 km²)
  • Setting: the Kittatinny Ridge, next to Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
  • Trail link: the Appalachian Trail runs along the ridge
  • Highlight: Sunrise Mountain, about 1,653 feet (504 m)
  • Gateway: Branchville
  • Managed by: New Jersey State Park Service

The landscape

Stokes covers the Kittatinny Ridge, a long wall of rock and forest in northwestern New Jersey. Hemlock ravines such as Tillman Ravine shelter cascading streams, and the ridge offers views across the Delaware valley and toward New York. The area has one of the densest black bear populations in the eastern United States, along with deer and many birds.

Best time to go

Spring and fall are ideal, with colour peaking in mid-October. Summer is warm and busy at the campgrounds. Winter is quiet, with snowshoeing.

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Getting there and around

US Route 206 leads to the forest from Branchville. Roads reach campgrounds, Sunrise Mountain and trailheads, and the Appalachian Trail crosses at several points.

Things to do

The Appalachian Trail along the ridge offers day hikes and overnight trips. Sunrise Mountain has a stone pavilion with sweeping views, and Tillman Ravine is a short walk through old hemlocks. Campgrounds and shelters make the forest a good base.

Staying safe

Black bears are very common: store all food and scented items properly and never leave it unattended. Check for ticks. Watch for venomous snakes on rocky ledges. Ridge trails are rocky; wear sturdy footwear and leave a trip plan.

Know before you go

This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm current conditions and reservations with New Jersey State Parks before you go.

Navigation
Coordinates
41.2058, -74.7831
Magnetic declination
12.2° W (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

43 places in Stokes State Forest

A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.

Getting there 1

Park entrance

On the trail 18

Campgrounds

Huts and shelters

Sights 24

Viewpoint

Waterfall

Lakes

Beaches

Point of interest

Peaks

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Day hikeCar campingWeekend backpacking

Looking for one of these closer to home?Destinations near me by trip type →

Terrain
MountainsForestRivers
Key hazards
Black bears (a dense population)TicksRocky ridge trailsTimber rattlesnakes and copperheads
Best seasons
Spring, Summer, Fall (foliage)
Difficulty
Easy to moderate
Access / trailheads
US Route 206 north of Branchville in Sussex County, northwestern New Jersey.
Water
Streams; treat all water. Water at developed areas.
Cell / satellite coverage
Fair on the ridge, patchy in the ravines.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911.
Permits & regulations
Campsites and shelters are reserved through New Jersey State Parks. Appalachian Trail camping is at designated sites.
Leave No Trace
Store all food in bear-resistant containers or lockers, stay on trails, and pack out all waste.
Conditions by month

October This month

Average high64°F(18°C)18°C(64°F)
Average low40°F(5°C)5°C(40°F)
Rainfall4.2 in(107 mm)107 mm(4.2 in)
Daylight, mid-month11 h 10 minSunrise 7:09 a.m., sunset 6:20 p.m.

What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.

Plan a trip here →

Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the Sussex Airport station, 8 miles (13 km)13 km (8 miles) away at 418 feet (127 m)127 m (418 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official park website → Last verified 2026-09-21

Nearby parks

Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.

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