High Point State Park Memorial Day Weekend Summit and Lake Marcia Kickoff

High Point State Park is New Jersey’s high-altitude retreat, and Memorial Day weekend signals the start of its summer rhythm. In Sussex County’s Skylands, the 16,000-acre landscape trades beach heat for mountain air, wide horizons, and a full day that moves naturally from summit to shoreline. Your centerpiece is the 220-foot High Point Monument, set at 1,803 feet above sea level, with clear-day sightlines into New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Plan your morning around the ridge. We suggest hiking a stretch of the Appalachian Trail or the Monument Trail first, then climbing the monument for the state’s most commanding view and a concise look at its veterans memorial history. Bring binoculars for finer detail across the Delaware River valley and the Pocono Mountains, and wear sturdy footwear since the ridge trails are rocky and uneven.

By afternoon, shift to Lake Marcia, where the spring-fed water and lakefront boardwalk feel like a different park entirely. The beach officially opens for swimming on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, with lifeguards typically on duty 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, weather permitting. You will also find a bathhouse and food concessions on site, and pets are welcome in most areas if leashed, but not allowed on the swimming beach.

Holiday crowds are real, so arrive by 8:00 AM to improve your chances of parking near the summit or the lake; once the park reaches capacity, the entrance may close. Entrance fees for the weekend are $10 per vehicle for New Jersey residents and $20 for non-residents, and the high-elevation sun runs strong, so pack high-SPF sunscreen and plenty of water. If the main beach lot fills, try the High Point Cross-Country Ski Center parking area for access to the interpretive center and trailheads. For overnight plans, the park’s 50 tent sites around Sawmill Lake often book months ahead, so consider Sussex County cabins or vacation rentals as a backup, and check with the park office for the monument interior climbing schedule.