The Sussex County Fairgrounds – Outdoor Destinations

When people think of the northern section of New Jersey, they often just think of it as an area that provides easy access to New York. However, there’s actually a lot that people can do in North Jersey. So don’t write off the Garden State just because it often lands in the shadow of the Big Apple.

The Sussex County Fairgrounds is one of the locations that attract many to North Jersey for the state fair, horse show, and conservatory. Sussex County is a great location for nature lovers because the activities outside are bountiful. Whether you’re looking to hike, swim, bike, camp, or just relax in the sun, this list of outdoor activities near The Sussex County Fairgrounds has you covered.

High Point State Park

High Point State Park is 16,000 acres of land used for picnics, camping, hiking, biking, skiing, fishing, boating, swimming, and hunting. The park is a 25-minute drive from The Sussex County Fairgrounds. There is an entrance fee. The price varies depending on if it is a weekday or weekend and whether you are a New Jersey resident or not resident.

In addition to the aforementioned activities, there is the High Point Monument that guests can visit. The monument, which was built in 1930 to honor war veterans, sits over 1,800 feet above sea level. It is accessible during park hours and can be climbed most days as long as weather permits and staff are present. From the top, guests can view the Pocono Mountains to the west, the Catskill Mountains to the north, and the Wallkill River Valley to the southeast. It is truly a stunning view.

Kittatinny Valley State Park

Teeming with wildlife, glacial lakes, and limestone outcroppings, Kittatinny Valley State Park is free to the public. This park is also a 25-minute drive from The Sussex County Fairgrounds. Once there, visitors can go hiking, mountain biking, birding, hunting, horseback riding, fishing, boating, and kayaking.

This park is a great option for hikers because the trails running through the park vary in difficulty. Additionally, stop by the 400-year-old Lenape Waterloo Village if you enjoy history. This 19th-century restored village is open to the public and features a working mill, general store, blacksmith, historic houses, and port.

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Another wonderful destination for hikers is the Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area. Depending on what portion of the preserve you plan on entering, the ride from The Sussex County Fairgrounds could be anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes.

There are over 100 miles of hiking trails, 27 miles of the Appalachian Trail, and historic villages and structures. As you hike, you’ll come across many stunning waterfalls so have a camera or your phone charged and ready to take some photos. This entire 67,000-acre park is free to the public.

Wild West City

This last recommendation is a bit of a drive, totaling in at about a half hour from The Sussex County Fairgrounds, but it’s bound to be a fun-filled outing. Wild West City in Stanhope brings the American frontier to life.

Guests feel as if they‘ve been transported back to the 1880s in Dodge City, Kansas. Young children will have a blast panning for gold and visiting the barnyard zoo. However, this isn’t just a destination for children! Everyone can learn something about life in the Old West from the live-action shows, museums, and knowledgeable staff that portray townsfolk and historical figures of the time period. You can even get a little competition going at the miniature golf course. So grab your cowboy hats and head on down to Wild West City!

Tomahawk Lake Waterpark

If you are traveling with family and younger children, you may want to check out Tomahawk Lake Waterpark. It is located about 13 miles from The Sussex County Fairgrounds in Sparta. The park is 200 acres filled with family-friendly activities. There’s an 18-hole miniature golf course, an outdoor beer garden with live music, softball field, horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, waterslides, and picnic areas. Prices for admission, waterslides, and boats vary depending on the day of the week and age.

Many people choose to camp at Tomahawk Lake Waterpark. However, you can go for just a day excursion and have plenty to do.

Mountain Creek Waterpark

While Tomahawk Lake Waterpark is a campground with a few water rides and a lake for swimming, Mountain Creek Waterpark is a more typical water park destination. Fill your day with the many rides, eateries, and spots to relax. Mountain Creek Waterpark is a 27-minute drive from The Sussex County Fairgrounds.

There are over 20 rides at Mountain Creek Waterpark with rides and slides for every age. Guests looking for a heart-racing ride should get on High Anxiety, a giant water slide that sends you and three other riders in a raft down a dark tunnel towards a 45-foot drop. Or plummet down a 99-foot vertical water slide on H2-OH-NO. One of Mountain Creek’s most popular attractions is Canyon Cliff Jump, where guests can leap off the edge of the cliff into the clear waters below. If you’re just looking to lounge around, relax at Cannonball Pool.

TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park

If you’re looking for even more exhilarating experiences, TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park, which is actually very close to Mountain Creek Waterpark, is a place you should check out. At this park, there are platforms, walkways, obstacles, climbing elements, and zip lines that have all been built into the trees.

This attraction is for all ages and experience levels. You can explore at your place or be in competitions. Pricing depends on age, season, and day of the week. Reach new heights by taking a 27-minute drive from The Sussex County Fairgrounds.

Hidden Pastures Luxury Fiber Farm

How does hanging out with alpacas, llamas, sheep, rabbits, goats, and yaks sound? Good? Great! With a tour of family-owned and -managed Hidden Pastures Luxury Fiber Farm, you can learn about what they do while getting to meet some of their fuzzy animals.

Tours last an hour and the farm is an eight-minute drive from The Sussex County Fairgrounds, so this is an outdoor activity that you could easily add into your day. You can shop in their on-site store afterward. Book your tour on Hidden Pastures’ website and get ready to be overloaded with cuteness.

Space Farms Zoo & Museum

Another great way to spend the day outdoors amongst animals is with a visit to Space Farms Zoo & Museum. You’re only able to do so, however, from the end of March through November. It’s under eight miles from The Sussex County Fairgrounds.

Space Farms features around 100 different species of animals. Some of these animals are native to North America while others are exotic animals from around the world. Guests can visit Bengal tigers, jaguars, grizzly bears, monkeys, deer, kangaroos, lions, and much more. Seeing the lions and bears is quite special because this zoo is actually internationally famous for their cub breeding programs.

In addition to the zoo, you can visit the 11 museum buildings that showcase American History. View over 50 antique cars and motorcycles, carriages and wagons, weapons from the Revolutionary and Civil wars, Indian arrowheads and artifacts, and more.