Kittatinny Valley State Park is located in Andover Township, Sussex County. The park is centered around Lake Aeroflex, the deepest natural lake in New Jersey with a depth of 110 feet. In addition to Lake Aeroflex, three other lakes offer fishing and boating opportunities (though some require carrying your boat to the water). The park also features numerous multi-use trails, primarily tailored for mountain bikers but equally welcoming to hikers.

A separate, unconnected section known as Mount Paul is located in Jefferson Township (Oak Ridge). This area offers additional hiking trails and features a much less developed, more serene setting.

Basic Information

Pros and Cons

Points of Interest

• Lake Aeroflex
  • The deepest natural lake in New Jersey, located next to the Aeroflex-Andover Airport
• Aeroflex-Andover Airport
  • A public airport owned by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
• Sussex Branch Trail
  • A 20-mile rail trail trail passing through the park.

Visitor Center

There is a small visitor center located at the main entrance. The center is the usual starting point for the many programs the park hosts throughout the year.

The visitor center also hosts a small butterfly garden.

Trails

There are 11 trails at the main Kittatinny Valley parcel, and another 10 in the Mount Paul section. The Sussex Branch Trail, which passes through the park, connects to other long trails, including the Paulinskill Valley Trail, and parks such as Allamuchy State Park. The Mount Paul section connects to Mahlon Dickerson Reservation in Jefferson.

Kittatinny Valley Parcel

Hikers can enjoy all the trails in the park, but it is important to note that the trails in the main park are designed with mountain bikers in mind. As a result, many trails are winding and do not seem to go anywhere. Hikers will enjoy the White Trail the most, which passes along the western edge of Lake Aeroflex.

Mountain Bikers will feel most at home here, with all trails accessible and designed for off-road bikes. All the trails at the main park are generally easy, with few rocks. Even those not comfortable on mountain bikes can enjoy biking through the main park. The Sussex Branch Trail through the park is a wide, flat gravel trail that anyone without a dedicated road bike can enjoy. Bikers can also take the driveway down to the airport and enjoy watching planes take off and land.

Mount Paul Parcel

The trails at Mount Paul are designed more for hikers, although mountain bikers are still welcome on all trails except the hiking-only Highlands Trail. The trails at Mount Paul are a little rockier, with larger elevation changes, though still generally easy. Visitors without mountain bikes should avoid biking the Mount Paul section.

Boating and Fishing

There are four lakes where visitors can boat and fish: Lake Aeroflex, Gardners Pond, Whites Pond, and Twin Lakes. Lake Aeroflex is by far the largest and most popular. It features a large parking area and a boat launch for both car-top boats and trailers. Most anglers fish either from a boat or along the eastern shoreline, which is the most accessible area from the parking lot. Those wishing to fish from the western shore must park at the visitor center and hike down, as crossing the adjacent airport runway is strictly prohibited.

Twin Lakes is the next most popular spot, though it sees significantly less traffic. This car-top boat accessible lake features dedicated parking and a unique hourglass shape.

Gardners Pond and Whites Pond have no parking facilities and require a hike in to access the water.

Parking

Kittatinny Valley hosts a handful of large parking areas. Due to the modest crowds the park receives and the abundance of parking, visitors rarely have issues finding a place to park. The only parking that occasionally fills is the Sussex Branch Trail parking area on Route 206. If that is the case, there is plenty of parking at the Main Entrance, which is also on the Sussex Branch Trail.

Kittatinny Valley Parcel

• Lake Aeroflex – 265 Limecrest Rd, Newton, NJ 07860
  • Lake Aeroflex boat launch; Large parking lot with both lined standard and trailer parking. Rarely fills
• Sussex Branch Trail – 250 Main St, Andover, NJ 07821
  • Sussex Branch Trail; Moderately sized lot holding about 20 cars. Can fill
• Twin Lakes – 41.011861, -74.747194, Goodale Rd, Newton, NJ 07860
  • Twin Lakes boat launch; Moderately sized boat launch holding about 30 cars. Rarely fills
• Main Entrance – 199 Goodale Rd, Newton, NJ 07860
  • Mountain bike and Sussex Branch Trail access; Very large parking area. Never fills
• Visitor Center – Down the driveway from Main Entrance (above) at 41.018056, -74.737028
  • Visitor center, butterfly garden, trail access; Moderately sized lot holding about 30 cars. Can fill during events.

Mount Paul Parcel

• Keen Skyland Entrance – Entrance to Mt Paul Rd, Oak Ridge, NJ 07438
  • Mount Paul Trails; a small pull-off outside the gate for Keen Skylands. Rarely fills
• White Trail – 41.022889, -74.560500 Sparta Mt Rd, Oak Ridge, NJ 07438
  • Mount Paul Trails, Mahlon Dickerson Reservation; a small pull-off holding just 1-2 cars. Rarely fills from crowds, but be full simply from low capacity
• Highlands Trail – 41.025417, -74.563028 Sparta Mt Rd, Oak Ridge, NJ 07438
  • Mount Paul Trails, Mahlon Dickerson Reservation; a small pull-off holding just 1-2 cars. Rarely fills from crowds, but be full simply from low capacity

Crowds

Crowds at Kittatinny Valley are typically low, despite the large parking areas. The park frequently receives visitors but is rarely overwhelming.

Maintenance

The park generally looks good and is well maintained. Currently (as of August 2026), the park is constructing a new restroom.

Who is this park for?

This park is best for those looking to fish, boat, or mountain bike. All of these activities are above average at Kittatinny Valley. While the trails are okay for hikers, they are primarily designed for mountain bikers, which leads to some annoying, winding trails and the need for hikers to stay alert.

Final Thoughts

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