Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Elevation Gain
660.00 ft (201.17 m)
Trail type
Loop
Distance
7.00 mi (11.27 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The Monument Trail loop can be access from the Monumnet parking lot inside the park or from the trailhead parking are outside the park.  This adventure leaves from the AT parking lot just off route 23 before reaching the High Point State Park Office.  The parking lot is down an unmarked paved road.  At this time the road does not appear on google map but the parking lot does.

From the parking lot there is a trail marked with blue dashes. Follow this until it end on the Iris Trail designated with red discs on a white background.  After a short distance the Iris trail merges with the Appalachian Trail (AT on maps, white markers on trail). The AT exits just south ot the Park headquaters and crosses Route 23. After crossing the road, the trail is well marked crossing a field and then into the forest.  This 1.2 mile section is very rocky and steep in some sections. Nearly one mile in there is an observation platform that offers expansive views to the sout and east toward the High Point Monument.

After descneding a hill, turn left onto the Monument Trail (red and green markers). The trail passes Lake Marcia and crosses Kuser road. Across the road walk up a side road where the Monument Trail will re-enter the forest. The trail continues east for two miles until it turn back west and begins to climb High Point Mountain. After one more mile you reach the Monument parking lot. Stay right of the large rock as the trail continues behind a bathroom and to the right of the monument. There are several good viewpoints off the parking lot.

After a steep downhill, the trail will cross a road and re-enter the forest near where you turn off the AT.  Re-join the AT and return south back to the trailhead.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

None

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Some views. Highest point in New Jersey.

Cons

Rocky section of the AT. Crowded once on the Monument Trail.

Trailhead Elevation

1,406.00 ft (428.55 m)

Highest point

1,768.00 ft (538.89 m)

Features

Flushing toilets
Historically significant
Geologically significant
Big vistas
Old-growth forest

Typically multi-day

No

Permit required

No

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

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