<<<Best Hikes in NJ
Sunfish Pond - Worthington State Forest
•Basic TRAIL MAP (hike #1 on map)
Get this: NYNJTC Kittatinny Map Set
Parking: Route 80 west to just before the last exit in New Jersey. On the right there is a sign for Dunnfield Creek Natural Area. There is a parking lot on the right, then a large main lot in the center and if that is full, you can park on the grass next to that. [directions from nps.gov here]
At the far end of the lot there is a trail kiosk, a porta-john*, and the start of the WHITE blazed AT.
Trail: About 7.5-8 miles roundtrip. Sunfish Pond is another hugely popular hike, but rightly so. You arrive at pretty Sunfish Pond, a glacial lake 1,000 feet ABOVE the surrounding area. There are several ways to get there but most usually take the AT (Appalachian Trail) there and back, starting from the Dunnfield lot on Rt. 80.
The AT is blazed WHITE and follows a broad rocky trail, and is easy to follow. Sunfish Pond makes for a great snack or lunch spot. There is a log bench as you arrive, or you can walk around the pond to find a spot.
The west side is a rocky trail (on your left if you've come from the Dunnfield lot) and the east side is the Sunfish Fire road that doesn't come as close to the pond as the west side. From the fire road you can pick up the TURQUOISE trail and follow it west to get closer to the pond. Here the rocks that overlook the pond are a wonderful place to take a break and take-in the beauty.
Retrace your steps and return via the AT (WHITE). The AT is mostly downhill on the way back.
Alternate route: The GREEN trail (Dunnfield Creek) can be used to make a loop here as well. It starts/ends from the parking lot and is a bit longer and more challenging than the AT, with several stream crossings.
Note: For beginner hikers, this is a doable hike... but it's also not a "walk in the park" – 7 or 8 miles may be longer than you realize. While on our way back to the lot from Sunfish, we've passed many weary hikers asking "how much farther to the pond?" Please bring some water, have appropriate footwear, and know your fitness level.
*Porta-john may be seasonal. It wasn't there on 3/22/09. If it's not there, there are portas at the visitor center on Rt. 80 south. Go back out the lot, drive down Rt. 80 to the next exit. Bear left where the road splits. Keep on the right and do not renter Rt. 80, and you will approach the visitor center lot.
