Stokes State Forest is a large park located in Sussex County. Primarily used by hikers and fishers, Stokes State Forest features 63 miles of trails and the notable trout-stocked Big Flatbrook. Sites in the park include a handful of waterfalls, such as two waterfalls named Stony Brook Falls and Teacup Falls in the scenic Tillman Ravine. For those wanting incredible views, the park features a watchtower used for firefighting and some overlooks over Sunrise Mountain. The park includes a section of the Appalachian Trail and multiple camping areas for those wanting a longer visit. Stokes State Forest features some for everyone across its 16,000 acres.
Basic Information
Parking: (main lots are featured, smaller lots will be listed in individual posts where applicable)
- Main Entrance: 1 Coursen Rd, Branchville, NJ 07826
- Culver Gap: Sunrise Mountain Rd, Sandyston, NJ 07826
- Tillman Ravine: Tilman Rd, Branchville, NJ 07826
Restrooms: Yes, in camping areas, parking areas inside the main entrance, and at Tillman Ravine. Some restrooms are primitive
Price:
- Main Entrance: Fee from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Check the park website for current pricing
- Elsewhere: Free
Activities
Hiking
There are about 63 miles of hiking trails in the park including part of the Appalachian Trail
Mountain Biking
Mountain bikers are welcome to use all trails except for the Appalachian Trail
Horseback Riding
Horseback riders are welcome to use all trails except for the Appalachian Trail
Boating
Cartop boats can launch from Lake Ocquittunk and Lake Ashore. Lake Ocquittunk is very small and best used by those camping there. Lake Ashore is slightly bigger. There is no boat ramp at either lake
Fishing and Hunting
Fishing is permitted and is a very popular activity, especially along Big Flatbrook. Big Flatbrook, Lake Ashroe, Lake Ocquittunk and Stony Lake are stocked with trout
Hunting is permitted subject to New Jersey Fish and Wildlife regulations
Picnicking, Playgrounds and Sports
Kittle Field and Stony Lake in the main park entrance feature picnic tables, small playgrounds and a field.
Camping
There are 4 camping areas in the park
- Steam Mill: Tent and pop-up site with an artisan well (constantly running) and pit toilets. The most primitive camping in the park
- Lake Ocquittunk: Tent, trailer, and platform sites along the lake with flush toilets and showers
- Shotwell: Pet-friendly tent, trailer, lean-to and platform sites with flush toilets and showers. Some of the outer sites also feature pit toilets
- Haskins: Group camping primarily used by groups such as scout troops
Additionally the Appalachian Trail has two shelters
- Brink Road Shelter
- Gren Anderson Shelter
Campers can only stay one night at these shelters. No other camping is allowed along the trail in the park.
Points of Interest
- Tillman Ravine
- Stony Brook Falls
- Culver Fire Tower
- Sunrise Mountain
Alerts
- Stony Lake and Stokes State Forest as a whole no longer permits swimming. Nearby High Point State Park still allows swimming
- Sunrise Mountain Road, Crigger Road, Grau Road, and Struble Road (at the 4H camp) are closed in the winter
Main Park Area
The main park area includes all areas inside the main entrance, such as Stony Lake and Kittle Field. The trails here are decent, but not worth an admission fee in my opinion. The park historically had swimming in Stony Lake. Since closing the swimming, it has become hard to justify paying to park, while other comparable, and sometimes better areas of the park have no parking fee. This area is worth visiting in the off-season, when there is no fee or hiking in from a free parking area, as the trails are still nice enough.
Highlights here include Stony Brook Falls and Stony Lake.
Sunrise Mountain and Tour Road
The eastern part of the park features Sunrise Mountain, a long ridge of the Kittatinny Mountain. Sunrise Mountain features the Culver Fire Tower, offering 360-degree views of the region. For those wanting to drive to the top, there is a parking area and overlook off of Sunrise Mountain Road.
Sunrise Mountain Road (along with Grau Road and Flatbrook Road) is a long and scenic one-way loop road of the park spanning about 15 miles. A drive along the road takes about 30 minutes and passes by multiple overlooks, including the aforementioned one on Sunrise Mountain.
Big Flatbrook
Big Flatbrook is a waterway that is notable for being one of the best places for trout fishing in New Jersey. Additionally, the Blue Mountain Trail provides scenic access to the brook for hikers.
South of Route 23
South of Route 23 are the more lightly trafficked areas of the park. Unfortunately, part of the reason for the lighter traffic is the difficulty in making loop hikes in the area. The area is scenic, but is not as impressive as other areas of the park.
Tillman Ravine
At the far southern end of the park is Tillman Ravine, a thin ravine featuring many ferns and a couple of small waterfalls, making the ravine feel like a miniature rainforest. The area features multiple short, crisscrossing trails as you work your way through the small ravine. Unfortunately, the ravine itself is not very large.
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