The Personality of Northwest New Jersey
“Skylands” is simply a perspective; a way of looking at and appreciating Northwestern New Jersey. “Thinking Skylands” endeavors to meld those characteristics shared by the constituent counties, towns, ridges, valleys, country roads and sections of interstate into a comprehensive portrait; one more attentive to geographic, cultural, and historical attributes than county and municipal borders. Explore the remarkable personality of this place!
- Along the Vintage North Jersey Trail
- A portion of the western part of Warren County, along the Delaware and Musconetcong rivers and their tributaries, has been designated by the federal government as a wine grape-growing region. Take a leisurely ride from one Warren County winery to another and find out what happens with those grapes!
- Delaware River Islands
- Islands of the Delaware are markers for the miles traversed on a float down the river, and for centuries of human history along its banks.
- Guardians: Knox, Vanderveer and the Pluckemin Cantonment
- The Jacobus Vanderveer house is the only surviving building associated with the Pluckemin encampment.
- Kutztown Folk Festival
- Nothing tops the good old-fashion summer fun at the Kutztown Folk Festival in Kutztown, PA. This family-oriented festival offers over 200 demonstrating craftsmen, 2000 beautiful hand-made quilts, folklife demonstrations, six stages of entertainment, lots of children's activities, and the best Pennsylvania Dutch food anywhere. Affordable family fun at the Kutztown Folk Festival, June 29-July 7, 2013!.
- On the Banks of the Wild Six
- When the Jersey sky hangs white in summer haze, head to the woods at Six Mile Run in Franklin Township, Somerset County.
- Power Plants
- The forests and fields of Northwest Jersey offer a visitor much more than a walk in the park. They are a veritable garden; Nature's garden of edible and medicinal plants.
- Wildlife Management Area Hikes
- Discover over 305,000 acres of little known forests, meadows, streams, and lakes collectively called Wildlife Management Areas - all public property, all owned by the people of New Jersey.
- Ye Olde Lake
- Lake Hopatcong is central to the New Jersey Skylands, not only geographically, but also to the many levels and facets of the region's character.
Officially, the Skylands Region refers to Northwest New Jersey and includes the counties of Morris, Somerset, Hunterdon, Warren, and Sussex. Destinations just beyond those borders, in neighboring counties and states (Pennsylvania and New York), are equally intriguing and convenient, so don't be confused if you come across some of those here.
The region contains two national parks at its edges, 60,000 acres of state parkland, and a diverse and beautiful geography filled with lakes, rivers and picturesque hills dotted with farms. The region's rustic nature is perfectly complemented by many vigorous towns and villages that offer wonderful entertainment, shopping and dining opportunities, fine museums, theaters and accommodations. And there is a year round schedule of arts & crafts fairs, antique shows, exhibits and festivals in New Jersey's Great Northwest.
This summer think Skylands!
Make it a point to get out and enjoy the pleasures of the season. We’ve collected lots of ideas for you and your family. Some may be obvious, some might surprise you. We hope we’re helpful when you’re planning an afternoon, a weekend, or perhaps a permanent relocation to New Jersey.
Most of the material you'll find here has been published in our quarterly guide to the region: the Skylands Visitor Magazine. If you'd like a free copy, move over here.