Stokes State Forest — Attraction in Sandyston Township

I've been brought up going up to Sussex Co. NJ for 44 years. (I'm from the New Brunswick area.) We have been officially camping (tent and now cabins) for 25 years. The park is a huge multifaceted natural area. If you can imagine, its location is as follows: foothills of the Appalachian Mountain range, east of the Pocono Plateau, South of High Point State Park (e.i. highest above sea level point of NJ), and about 25 minutes from Port Jervis (where the tri-states NJ, PA and NY meet).

There are many other beautiful areas within range but not within Stokes. Peter's Valley, Dingmans Ferry and just up the road Tillmans Ravine and The Boy Scout Camp. Fishing is plentiful. The mountain range lends to plenty of hiking. My two favorite trails: Tillmans Ravine which is a slow decent criss-crossing and following along a beautiful stream where the foliage is abundantly colorful and lush. This, as mentioned above is not within in Stokes but just down the road. And Tower Trail located on Sunrise Mountain. This trail has some amateur rock climbing. It is a slow climb up to a beautiful summit overlooking the Pocono Plateau to the West and High Point State Park to the north.

This is also a major trail tributary on the Appalachian Trail. Many times we've met back packers who have left from Maine and are on there way down south. It is very cool. Recreationally speaking, there is plenty of fishing, hiking, pristine camp grounds, a swimming lake, and then some. I think what most people may not realize being as it is in Jersey is that the scenary and nature rival any of its big brothers such as the Poconos, Catskills, Adirondacks etc.

The rangers and all staff have always been on point, they will check up on you and make sure everything is ok. They are knowledeable and professional and friendly. We camp at Stokes State Forest every year and absolutely love it. It is part of one of our family's most important traditions. There is so much more I could write but I will leave it at this for now.

Incidentally, we are leaving for our Annual spring camp out at Stokes in just two days. I...

I have been going to the park for water for years but today was the worst experience. Me and my family arrived at 11:30am and there were 2 cars in front of us filling up a lot of 5 gallon bottles, we patiently for the fast hose to become available. While waiting, the slow hose opened up for use. Another car 2 cars pull up behind us and then the mess started. The car behind us decided to wait for the fast hose like us. The silver car that is now in the 3rd spot started to get out the car to complain about us, mind you we did not start getting water yet, we were still waiting for the guy in front of us to fill his 20-5 gallon bottles. We had no problem waiting. The silver car decided to jump the line and use the slow hose which fine because we were not waiting for it. Now the guy in front of us leave and it is our turn. We took less than 10 minutes to fill 11-5 gallon bottles. The police was called on my family, stating that we were filling up too many bottles. The person who complained was the silver car, when they left we didn't even start filling up the bottles. By this time there were about 5 cars there waiting their turn and the car behind us was waiting for the fast hose. The other car started to get out of their cars to use the slow hose. It is really hard to keep race out of this but it was a noticeable difference, my family is black. The silver car tried to interact with us verbally but that is not who we are. We did not give them the opportunity. If race was not the problem why did the officer only say something to us? The guy (white)that filled his 20 bottles was still in the park and no one complained about him. The park need to think about it's policies and procedures. Or is it acceptable again to target families...

Stokes State Forest has four campgrounds. The Steam Mill Camping Area is tucked out the of the way and is the most primitive. It is the smallest of the campgrounds with 27 sites only suitable for tents or small trailers/campervans. No pets or alcohol allowed.

The campground has a pit toilet and a well. Each large campsite has a picnic table, fire pit, and lantern hook. Some sites also have a tent platform. Many sites are a bit rocky.

We selected site T219. It was a solid choice: private but close to the toilet and water. Some sites located around the opposite side of the ring back up to a babbling brook. The rushing water will soothe you to sleep.

Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes.

Outdoor activities in the area abound. Go fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, kayaking, and more. There are 21 marked trails that cover over 63 miles within the boundaries of Stokes State Forest. Twelve miles are part of the Appalachian Trail. Pick up a hiking map at the park office or download the Avenza Maps app.

This visit we hiked the Tillman Ravine trail (tip: make the trail a loop and visit both the ravine and the nearby old cemetery).

You can also drive or hike to Sunset Mountain Scenic Overlook for a view of High Point Monument. High Point Monument is the highest elevation in New Jersey and is located in High Point State Park which borders Stokes State Forest on the north. High Point State Park also offers camping, hiking, sightseeing opportunities. And, on the western border of Stokes State Forest is the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. So, there is lots of outdoors to get out...