An Hour From Allentown Is New Jersey's Scenic State Forest With Camping, Trails, And Lake Fishing

While New Jersey is called the Garden State for its agricultural prowess, it may as well be a fitting moniker for the lush trees that cover the state. In fact, approximately 40% of the state's land is forested (per New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection). So while millions flock to its Atlantic coastline for sunbathing, New Jersey also offers plenty of forest-bathing opportunities scattered across its varied terrain. If you're seeking one in northwestern New Jersey, Jenny Jump State Forest is a beautiful under-the-radar oasis for a different kind of Garden State experience.

Spanning over 4,400 acres, these scenic woods are a natural playground where you can hike, kayak, fish, or camp. The dense groves feature mature hardwood trees and pines, and the rugged terrain around you — natural depressions, enormous boulders, and a range of hills — are remnants of glaciers that covered the land during the last Ice Age. Some of these rocky outcroppings, which are prominent features of the state forest's 14 miles of trails, are even estimated to be over a billion years old, according to NJ Skylands.

Thanks to this pristine environment, there's a diverse set of wildlife sightings here. Foxes, white-tailed deer, black bears, and raccoons roam the grounds, woodpeckers and warblers flit through the trees, while wood ducks and frogs are found around the state forest's lakes. With the destination open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., you can enjoy its many perks anytime you want, and the convenient location — only a few miles off I-80 — makes it an easy drive from many major cities. Both Allentown and Newark (with a major international airport) are roughly an hour's drive from the refuge, and Trenton is an hour and a half away.

Before you start exploring the grounds of this state forest, one of the things you may notice is all the spooky names: Jenny Jump, Ghost Lake, Shades of Death Road, and more. They are all part of legends that spawned interesting stories and lived on through generations. For instance, based on local lore, a young girl named Jenny was surprised by Lenape Indians in these mountains. Her father hollered, "Jump Jenny! Jump!" as she tried to escape, hence the refuge's name. Ghost Lake is believed to get its name from an eerie mist that shrouds it in the early morning. How much of this storied history is believable remains up for debate, and once you get past the names, there's lots of outdoor fun to be had here.

Hiking is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in this landscape, discovering native plants and wildlife as trails wind through the forest. Keep in mind that the area is particularly rocky and buggy, with lower foot traffic, so read up on these park ranger tips for staying safe while hiking. The Summit and Swamp Trail (as detailed on AllTrails) is a great 2.6-mile loop to start with, featuring ridgeline views and beautiful mountain overlooks that deliver panoramic valley vistas all the way to the Delaware Water Gap.

Those who prefer lakeside scenery can hike the Ghost Lake Trail, which spans about 4 miles round trip. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful atmosphere on this wooded path, where you'll also find historic ruins and a natural rock shelter (called 'Faery Cave') to explore. For a more challenging hike, the Jenny Jump Trail features a lengthier section of this state forest and gains 1,197 feet in elevation, according to AllTrails.

Opportunities to fish are plentiful at the Jenny Jump State Forest's three main lakes, which you can access via trails or roads. Tucked on the southern side of the state forest is the 122-acre Mountain Lake, known for its wide variety of fish species, including muskies, largemouth bass, black crappie, and pickerel. Meanwhile, both Ghost Lake and Lake Just-it also yield good results for bass fishing. Feel free to bring your boats for serene paddling in the mountains, though motorized ones aren't allowed.

You can stay overnight in the state forest's seasonal campground, which has 22 sites for you to bring your own tent or trailer. Each of these sites has a fire ring and picnic table for cozy camp meals after a day of adventure. Near the campgrounds are also shelters featuring bunk beds and wood stoves, offering some convenience in this otherwise pristine setting. "Cozy cabins! We had so much fun. Beautiful rocky hikes just leaving from the cabins," wrote one past visitor on Google Maps. There are also two group sites, with space for 25 and 40 adventurers, respectively.

Spending the night can also be a magical experience for anyone interested in stargazing. Jenny Jump State Forest remains one of the few dark-sky areas in New Jersey (per the United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey), which means that come nightfall, bright stars fill the sky overhead. Be sure to head to the park's observatory — open every Saturday from April to October — for sweeping views, or watch the night sky from your campsite, but do follow these light pollution rules. For more hidden gems, head about 40 minutes southeast to explore Oldwick, a fairytale community with a highly praised winery.