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At my own expense, I offer all of this to you: a humble tribute to Mother Gaia. It is my hope that you will spread my art and message to others, uplifting and inspiring their souls.
May my works guide photographers illuminating their path toward creating stunning and impactful images that show the raw beauty and essence of life in all its transcendent glory. —Pamela Goodyer
HIGH POINT – N.J. FALL FOLIAGE PHOTOGRAPHY
VETERANS
Paying tribute to New Jersey veterans from all wars From the top of the towering 220-foot structure, visitors can take in stunning views of the Pocono Mountains to the west, the Catskill Mountains to the north, and the Wallkill River Valley to the southeast. The area surrounding the New Jersey Veterans’ Memorial is open during regular park hours, April 1st to November 30th, from 8:00 am to sunset. December 1st to March 31st: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO GO?
Fall is our favorite time to visit. The surrounding area is filled with beautiful, dense trees, perfect for viewing fall foliage.
This dark sky area is good for photographing the Milky Way, so keep this in mind if you plan to combine this with a trip to the Milky Way in October.
Months: The Milky Way Core can be seen from March to October, disappearing below the horizon for the rest of the year. It appears in the early morning hours in March and becomes visible earlier each month. The best time to catch a glimpse of the core is during summer, when it can be seen immediately after sunset, providing an ideal viewing opportunity for stargazers and photographers.
New Moon: Timing is crucial to seeing the Milky Way. This celestial event can only be seen on clear nights without a visible moon, limiting the viewing window.
Light Pollution: The best way to experience the full wonder of the Milky Way is to escape from areas with heavy light pollution. The area around this park location is good for minimal light pollution.
HOW LONG TO PHOTOGRAPH THIS AREA?
This area can be explored and photographed in just a few hours. It is a great location to pair with Stokes State Forest. (see the article).
WHAT PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR SHOULD I BRING?
- A Camera with a wide-angle lens.
- Tripod – This is for shooting the Milky Way and long-exposure water shots
- Shutter release
- Polarizing Filter
- Neutral Density Filter
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I BRING?
- Drinks and snacks
- Bug repellent
ADDRESS FOR GPS:
1480 State Route 23
Wantage, NJ 07461
WHAT OTHER PHOTOGRAPHY IS NEARBY?
New Jersey Photography Locations
There’s plenty of other New Jersey photography. In this area, look at our fall foliage articles on Stanhope, Stokes State Forest and Belvidere, New Jersey.
HOW BUSY DOES IT GET?
It’s not too bad, but the parking lot can get busy. This park’s peak fall foliage weekend is jam-packed, so book your hotel in advance for this weekend.
ANYTHING ELSE?
In this area, the restaurants are closed on Monday and Tuesday. You might have to drive several miles on this day to find food, so bring some snacks and drinks.
WHERE TO STAY?
The High Point Mountain Motel – details with pictures below—Facebook page.
THE HIGH POINT MOUNTAIN MOTEL
Our stay here was pure bliss. It is in the perfect location, just a very short drive to the park and surrounded by the beauty of Stokes State Forest and Sunrise Mountain. Our room, fully renovated with modern amenities, provided a sanctuary for us to rest and recharge after a long day of photography. The plush bedding and immaculate surroundings ensured an incredibly comfortable night’s sleep, leaving us feeling rejuvenated in the morning. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to call home during our visit.
Visitors can take advantage of complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the premises and have the choice of daily housekeeping. Enjoy the great outdoors with amenities like a scenic picnic area, a fully-equipped BBQ pit, and an inviting outdoor hearth.
High Point Mountain Motel warmly welcomes pet companions to ensure a delightful experience for all guests.
The new owner of High Point Mountain Hotel has committed to renovating every room in the establishment, including the one we stayed in. No detail is too small for this owner, who is determined to provide a superior experience for all guests. Our room had already been transformed with freshly painted walls and new furnishings, adding to the sense of anticipation and excitement for the future of this hotel. It was evident that the new owner’s dedication would result in a truly luxurious stay for all who visited.
If you book in advance, you can ask for the room Pamela Goodyer stayed in. (The two middle pictures are below.)
THE HIGH POINT MOTEL OWNER
The new owner of High Point Mountain Motel, Marina Nikolaeva, and her husband have committed to renovating every room in the establishment, including the one we stayed in. No detail is too small for this owner, who is determined to provide a superior experience for all guests. Our room had already been transformed with freshly painted walls and new furnishings, adding to the sense of anticipation and excitement for the future of this hotel. It was evident that the new owner’s dedication would result in a truly luxurious stay for all who visited.
The couple also owns The Cobmin Ridge Motel, Hotel Belvidere, The Sussex Motel, and Rolling Hills Motel, all located in northern New Jersey.
Marina Nikolaeva was a young woman with determination and a dream. 1996 she left her home in Russia and set off for the United States. Armed with little knowledge of the English language, she took on any job that would help her get by while also learning the language. Her story is one of true success and embodies the American Dream.
She and her husband started by buying a multi-family house and renovating houses over the years, then moving on to the hotel business later in life. Today, Marina is the proud owner of a prestigious group of hotels, driven by her passion for providing exceptional accommodations for travelers passing through.
A few years ago, she and her husband made the business-savvy decision to purchase a hotel. Within a year, they had expanded their business, and today, they own five thriving hotels in the area.
Just a few months ago, they acquired High Point Mountain Motel. Marina wants the hotels to have unique and distinct characteristics rather than conforming to a standardized model. However, they also wanted a consistent theme of comfort and hominess throughout. Each room provides amenities such as refrigerators and microwaves, which are essential as guests may stay for extended periods of up to four weeks for business purposes. This is especially relevant for the Cobmin Ridge motel near a hospital.
Her ultimate goal is to create an unforgettable experience for each guest. It’s not about money for her; it’s about delighting her customers and exceeding their expectations. The passion and dedication she puts into her work shine through in every detail of her hotels, making them a destination in themselves.
HOTEL MANAGEMENT
With careful consideration and an eye for potential, she handpicked a team of managers with a deep sense of care and passion for their work. Each comes from a unique background and has a different story, but she saw the potential and heart in those hired. The managers reside on the business premises, dedicated to their roles well beyond 9 to 5 hours. They are actively involved in decision-making processes, and their voices are valued and respected by the owner; Marina wants her managers to feel like they have a stake in the business, treating them as partners rather than employees. In return, she ensures that her managers are well cared for, recognizing their hard work and dedication with utmost appreciation and respect.
The Belvedere Motel, recently acquired by the owner, has undergone a thorough renovation. The other hotels are undergoing renovations to transform their appearances. Many of these establishments were previously dilapidated and in disrepair but have been meticulously restored by the owner, often requiring complete gutting down to the building’s framework.
The Combine Ridge Motel will soon boast additional rooms equipped with charging stations and a revamped exterior featuring fresh paint and an enhanced aesthetic. The High Point is undergoing renovations, room by room. Maria has two trusted contractors who are doing all of the work.
WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS GROUP OF HOTELS
Our journey took us to three unique and charming motels: Cobmin Ridge, High Point Mountain, and Belvedere. Each had its character, but we were immediately drawn to the first stop. The rooms were immaculate, exuding luxury and attention to detail. As artists, we appreciated the personal touches that made each room feel like a work of art. We visited the other two hotels while traveling the state, doing fall foliage photography. We plan our future visits to discover the details at Sussex and Rolling Hills Motels. Our travels will continue with excitement and anticipation for what lies ahead.
PLEASE CHECK OUT EACH INDIVIDUAL HOTEL & HAPPY PHOTOGRAPHY!
HIGH POINT STATE PARK INFO
Park Fees:
After Labor Day to Memorial Day Weekend – Free
From Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day – Weekdays
NJ Residents $5.00
Non Residents $10.00
Weekend and Holidays
NJ Residents $10.00
Non Residents $20.00
*The fee for an oversized vehicle shall be twice the fee for a vehicle that is not oversized
Park Hours:
Park Office 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Gate
April 1st to November 30th: 8:00am – Sunset
December 1st to March 31st: 8:00am – 4:30pm
Monument Exterior: Same as gate hours
Monument Interior: (as staffing permits)
Open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day: 7 days per week
After Labor Day through Columbus Day: Weekends only
Hours: 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
CAMPING
Address 480 Route 23 Sussex, NJ 07461 – Reserve a campsite at camping.nj.gov.
Campsites : There are 50 family campsites along Sawmill Lake with fire rings and picnic tables. All sites can accommodate approximately 2 tents, and some can also accommodate small trailers. Pit toilets that flush are within walking distance. Open April 1 through October 31. Fee: NJ Resident $20 per night; Non-resident $25 per night. There is a 2-night minimum for advanced reservations. Same day reservation can be made for one night only until 2:00 pm. After 2:00 pm, contact the park office for same day reservations.
Many of our sites allow pets. Checking the reservation website for more details.
Group campsites Two group campsites with drinking water and pit toilets. Each campsite accommodates up to 25 people. Open From April 1 – October 31. Fee: NJ Resident $50 per night; Non-resident $100 per night.
Cabins Two cabins are located on eastern shore of Steenykill Lake. Each cabin has electricity; a furnished living room with a woodstove; three bedrooms (one room with double bed, two rooms with twin beds); a kitchen with hot and cold running water, electric stove, and refrigerator; and a bathroom with shower, toilet and sink. Each accommodates six people. With the superintendent’s prior permission, two additional people may be accommodated. Cabins are open from May 15 to October 15. Fee: NJ Resident $75 per night; $525 per week; Non-resident $85 per night; $595 per week. There is a 2-night minimum to reserve cabins until Memorial Day weekend. There is a one-week minimum to reserve cabins from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. There is a 2-night minimum to reserve cabins from Labor Day through October 15th.
Group Cabin Living room with woodstove, full kitchen, two bunkrooms with double bunks, bathrooms, showers. Accommodates up to 28 people. Open May 15 to October 15. Fee: NJ Resident $175 per night; Two-night minimum; Non-resident $185 per night; Two-night minimum.
HOTELS
The High Point Mountain Motel
This Motel offers you everything you need: immaculate rooms and great management at one of the best prices in the area. Look no further.
This is our choice for motels in the area. We highly recommend you stay here!
1328 State Rt 23 – Sussex, NJ 07461
See photos above
RESTAURANTS
If you are a vegetarian like us, the only local option is a pizza parlor nearby, which is closed on Monday and Tuesday. There is a comfort food restaurant near the park, but it does not offer any vegetarian options. A little farther away, a pizza parlor will deliver to the High Point Mountain Motel, which is open seven days a week.
Photography Lessons
Photography, Lessons, Workshops and Classes.
Photography Contests
