Sussex County: Trails, Water, and Collections

A rushing stream between steep rock walls, a lake for canoeing, boating, and fishing, and collections of historic vehicles show how varied a stay in Sussex County can be. There are also mountain activities, long trails, and nature education. You can choose what to explore in the region based on the experiences you want to shape your vacation: outdoor activities, time by the water, or cultural and nature-related discoveries.

Mountain Activities and Trails

Across four peaks, Mountain Creek offers skiing, snowboarding, terrain parks, and family-friendly snow tubing. The Mountain Creek Bike Park has a different focus: lift-served downhill mountain biking on trails for various skill levels. The activities vary in type, offering a clear contrast as you plan your vacation days.

The Great Valley Trail centers on a connected loop: the trail is 3.5 miles long and links with the Sussex Branch Trail and the Paulinskill Valley Trail to form a continuous 13-mile loop. By contrast, the section of the Paulinskill Valley Rail Trail located in Sussex County is about 27 miles long. These figures describe routes of different types and scales: a continuous loop in one case, and a longer section of the rail trail in the other.

The Paulinskill Valley Rail Trail is suitable for hiking, horseback riding, biking, and cross-country skiing. Several parking areas and restrooms at various trailheads make it easier to plan your route. Some sections of the trail are wheelchair accessible; this does not apply to the entire trail.

Water and Nature

Tillman Ravine in Stokes State Forest is shaped by a rushing stream and steep rock walls. Lake Wawayanda in Wawayanda State Park offers opportunities for canoeing, boating, and fishing. A 20-mile section of the Appalachian Trail also runs through the park. More than 60 miles of marked trails are designated in Wawayanda State Park.

The ravine, lake, and marked trails offer different ways to experience nature in the county. At the regional level, several recognized Important Bird Areas and areas of special significance for natural heritage also contribute to Sussex County’s natural character. If you want to focus on scenery and outdoor activities, you can choose between the trails, water activities, and the distinctive ravine.

Collections and Environmental Education

More than 500 wild animals live at Space Farms Zoo. Examples include lions, tigers, bears, leopards, jaguars, lemurs, bison, kangaroos, monkeys, hyenas, and snakes. The Space Farms museum complex comprises nine large museum buildings with more than 50 historic vehicles, including classic cars, motorcycles, horse-drawn carriages and sleighs, as well as other historic collections. The zoo and museum complex offer different topics to explore beyond the trails and lakes.

The New Jersey School of Conservation offers another perspective on nature and learning. It is located on a 240-acre property in Stokes State Forest in Sussex County and is considered the oldest continuously operating residential environmental education center in the United States.

When looking for a vacation rental, it helps to decide what matters most: do you mainly want to experience trails, water, and nature, or also set aside time for collections and environmental education? Set this priority before choosing the right area for your stay.

Explore more destinations: Stanhope, Sussex, Sparta, Vernon, Hopatcong; Ocean, Union, and Essex.

For the broader travel overview: New Jersey.