Top state parks
State ParkLiberty State Park
State ParkWawayanda State Park
State ParkIsland Beach State Park
State ParkFarny State Park
State ParkBarnegat Lighthouse State Park
State ParkCheesequake State Park
State ParkLong Pond Ironworks State Park
State ParkVoorhees State Park
State ParkWashington Crossing State Park
State ParkSwartswood State Park
State ParkAllaire State Park
State ParkParvin State Park
State Parks by county
All state parks (30)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty State ParkEllis Island | Hudson County | — | Battery Park City | 9 |
| Wawayanda State Park | Sussex County | — | Highland Lake | 6 |
| Island Beach State Park | Ocean County | — | Seaside Park | 6 |
| Farny State Park | Morris County | — | Lake Telemark | 7 |
| Barnegat Lighthouse State Park | Ocean County | — | Waretown | 5 |
| Cheesequake State Park | Middlesex County | — | Laurence Harbor | 8 |
| Long Pond Ironworks State Park | Passaic County | — | West Milford | 7 |
| Voorhees State Park | Hunterdon County | — | High Bridge | 6 |
| Washington Crossing State Park | Mercer County | — | Pennington | 6 |
| Swartswood State Park | Sussex County | — | Newton | 5 |
| Allaire State Park | Monmouth County | — | Ramtown | 6 |
| Parvin State Park | Salem County | — | Rosenhayn | 5 |
| Fort Mott State Park | Salem County | — | Delaware City | 5 |
| Ringwood State Park | Passaic County | — | Ringwood | 7 |
| Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park | Middlesex County | — | Kingston | 7 |
| Double Trouble State Park | Ocean County | — | South Toms River | 6 |
| Stephens State Park | Warren County | — | Hackettstown | 6 |
| Hopatcong State Park | Morris County | — | Landing | 7 |
| Hacklebarney State Park | Morris County | — | Chester | 6 |
| Monmouth Battlefield State Park | Monmouth County | — | West Freehold | 7 |
| Washington Rock State Park | Somerset County | — | Dunellen | 8 |
| Rancocas State Park | Burlington County | — | Willingboro | 7 |
| High Point State Park | Sussex County | — | Matamoras | 5 |
| Cape May Point State Park | Cape May County | — | West Cape May | 4 |
| Allamuchy Mountain State Park | Warren County | — | Stanhope | 6 |
| Corson's Inlet State Park | Cape May County | — | Sea Isle City | 5 |
| Pigeon Swamp State Park | Middlesex County | — | Dayton | 7 |
| Kittatinny Valley State Park | Sussex County | — | Newton | 6 |
| Tall Pines State Preserve | Gloucester County | — | Sewell | 7 |
| Bulls Island Recreation Area | Hunterdon County | — | Tinicum | 5 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph state parks
State parks often protect a signature feature — a gorge, lake or overlook — that is best in early morning before visitors and harsh light arrive.
- Check park hours: many state parks close at dusk, which affects sunset and night shooting.
- Ask rangers about photography permits for commercial work, models or drones.
- Weekday mornings are the least crowded at popular viewpoints.
- Trail maps often mark overlooks — combine them with the sun azimuth to plan.
- Day-use fees or passes are common; buy them online before arriving.
Season: Spring wildflowers and autumn color are peak seasons in most parks.