New Jersey is a well-liked summer time hang-out for coast-bound vacationers, lots of whom descend on the seashores and boardwalks of the Jersey Shore. But if you wish to hit the seashore with out having to cope with big crowds, think about going inland to Lake Marcia, a crystal-clear physique of water close to New Jersey’s borders with Pennsylvania and New York. Though removed from the coast, Lake Marcia is a good place to swim, sunbathe, fish, and hike the paths of the Kittatinny Mountains.
A spring-fed glacial lake, Marcia sits at 1,570 toes above sea stage and covers round 20 acres of High Point State Park, a picturesque highland escape. The park additionally accommodates the High Point Monument, a brooding obelisk rising from the best elevation in New Jersey, at 1,803 toes, which commemorates the state’s warfare veterans. From right here you will get views throughout three states — New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania — and a rolling, mountainous panorama that is notably arresting in fall.
Though the utmost depth of Lake Marcia is barely round 14 toes — America’s beautiful nice lakes plunge a lot deeper — it nonetheless attracts swimmers in the course of the summer time. This is aided by a cool breeze that typically whispers by the highland park and a fairly little seashore for sunbathing on the lakeshore. From right here, you possibly can see the park’s eponymous monument towering over the lake’s northern rim and entry altering rooms and a cash-only concession stand. Though it may get slightly busy on summer time weekends, Tripadvisor reviewers have praised Marcia’s seashore, the encircling surroundings, and the refreshing temperature of the water. Note, nonetheless, that swimming is barely permitted when lifeguards are on responsibility, and the swimming space might shut if staffing is unavailable. Rafts, internal tubes, and different flotation gadgets are prohibited, although Coast Guard-approved life jackets are allowed. There’s additionally little shade on the seashore, so a parasol or tarp is beneficial.
More out of doors actions round Lake Marcia
Hiking is one other standard exercise round Lake Marcia, because of the paths webbing High Point State Park. There are a number of routes marked out on AllTrails, a few which begin from the northern finish of Lake Marcia. The 3.4-mile Monument Loop Trail has some steep sections however rewards hikers with beautiful views from the best vantage level in New Jersey. A shorter 0.4-mile route makes a beeline for the monument by way of the gentler Old Trail.
There are longer, tougher trails, too, one among which joins the Appalachian Trail and guides you alongside the border with New York. Though this one is sort of 12 miles lengthy, it takes you into some secluded stretches of wilderness, by meadows, dense woodlands, fields of wildflowers, wetlands, and throughout diversified mountain terrain.
The park is open for day use, opening 8 a.m. to sundown from April by November and eight a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in winter. That mentioned, it additionally has tenting and cabin lodging. There are 50 well-appointed campsites alongside Sawmill Lake, 1.5 miles to the southwest, and cabins on the shore of Steenykill Lake, which is true subsequent to Marcia. For bookings, head to the New Jersey Outdoors reservation website. If you are treating Lake Marcia as a day journey as a substitute, the closest giant cities are Allentown, an artsy Pennsylvania metropolis with world-class meals, and New York City, each of that are round two hours away by automobile.