Worthington State Forest is a large state forest in the Kittatinny Mountains along the Delaware River. The park is best known for Mount Tammany, one of the most scenic views in the state. In addition to Mount Tammany, the park is home to Dunnfield Creek, a natural trout brook; Sunfish Pond, a scenic glacially created pond; numerous waterfalls; camping; and access to the Delaware River. Worthington State Forest can be considered the gateway to the much larger Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which borders it to the north.

Basic Information

Pro’s and Con’s

Points of Interest

• Mount Tammany
• Dunnfield Creek and Dunnfield Falls
• Sunfish Pond
• Laurel Falls

Trails

Worthington State Forest features 22 miles of hiking trails across 10 marked trails. These trails easily connect to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, offering even more hiking access. The Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine, passes through the center of the forest.

Easier

There is very limited “easy terrain” at Worthington State Forest. The best bet for someone looking for an easy trail is the first part of the Appalachian Trail and the start of the Pahaquarry Trail to Dunnfield Falls. This trail is located on an easy road. After the falls, the trail becomes more rugged, and while not difficult, very long.

Moderate

There are a lot more moderate trails in the park. The most popular and best of these trails is up to Sunfish Pond, accessed from either the Dunnfield Creek Trail or the Appalachian Trail (we recommend hiking up the Dunnfield Creek Trail and down the Appalachian Trail). While the terrain is not challenging, this is a long hike with significant elevation gain, though it is never steep.

Difficult

Difficult terrain is where Worthington State Forest really shines. The highlight and most challenging hike is to the summit of Mount Tammany. This short but incredibly rocky trail ascends what feels like endless rock scrambles to some of the best views in the state. The Garvey Springs Trail is another steep but less rocky trail that is the most direct route to Sunfish Pond.

Parking

Parking can be a challenge, especially for those wishing to hike Mount Tammany or Dunnfield Creek.

• Mount Tammany – 40.971750, -75.122611, Columbia, NJ 07832
  • Mount Tammany; Large lot holding about 40 cars. The first parking lot from I-80 west. Fills up very fast on weekends and can fill up on weekdays. Not accessible from I-80 east
• Dunnfield Creek – 40.971639, -75.125556, Columbia, NJ 07832
  • Mount Tammany, Dunnfield Creek/Falls, Sunfish Pond; Large lot holding about 30 cars. The second parking lot from I-80 west and is accessible from I-80 east. Fills up very fast on weekends and can fill up on weekdays
• Kittatinny Point Visitor Center (Delaware Water Gap) –River Rd, Hardwick Township, NJ 07832
  • Mount Tammany, Dunnfield Creek/Falls, Sunfish Pond; Numerous small lots opposite I-80 from the park in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Can fill up on weekends
• Farview – 48 Old Mine Rd, Columbia, NJ 07832
  • Less direct access to Dunnfield Creek via Farview Trail; Hidden in the trees and to the right when coming from I-80. Smaller lot holding about 15 cars, rarely fills. Across from the permanently closed Karamac parking area
• Douglas – 134 Old Mine Rd, Columbia, NJ 07832
  • Laurel Falls, Sunfish Pond; Smaller lot holding about 15 cars. Can fill on peak days
• Rockcores – 41.017444, -75.070222, Old Mine Rd, Columbia, NJ 07832
  • Rockcores Trail; Pull-off holding about 5 cars. Less popular parking area for a less popular trail, can still fill up due to its limited size.

Crowds

As expected from a park with parking issues, crowds can be a problem here. This is most notable at Mount Tammany, but all areas of the park experience high crowd levels throughout the year. For a quieter experience, visit on a weekday, but expect to see other people as the forest is busy year-round.

Maintenance

Considering the high crowd levels, Worthington State Forest is exceptionally well maintained. All trails are very clear and easy to follow. Unfortunately, you will find the occasional litter, especially at the summit of Mount Tammany, but overall, the forest is clean.

Who is this park for?

Worthington State Forest is best visited by experienced hikers. While there are multiple shorter loops, including the popular Mount Tammany Trail, virtually every trail features steep and rocky inclines. The only real exception to this would be the Dunnfield Creek Trail, however the length of this trail makes it more for intermediate hikers.

For those not big on hiking, activities are limited. The neighboring Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area features a wider variety of trails and experiences, including river activities such as rafting and paddling, more varied hikes, and historical sites. Despite this, the views from the Mount Tammany Trail trump anything in the Water Gap.

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