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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
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO GO?
Each year will be slightly different, and you should consult the websites that monitor fall foliage colors. These photos were taken on October 21st and 22nd. When we left on the 23rd, many leaves fell off the trees here, but we went to another location in New Jersey to continue our fall foliage photography.
Also, this is a DARK SKY area that is good for the Milky Way photography, so keep this in mind if you want to pair this with a Milky Way trip.
Milky Way 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, hence getting lucky with peak foliage week.
Light Pollution: The best way to experience the full wonder of the Milky Way is to escape from areas with heavy light pollution. Branchville, New Jersey, is in the darker sky area of New Jersey. Check out our How-To Section for more details, including using a light pollution map to guide you to dark sky locations.
HOW LONG TO PHOTOGRAPH THIS AREA?
This area can be explored and photographed in just a few days. We suggest viewing our two other articles, Stanhope, New Jersey Fall Foliage, and our two upcoming articles, Highpoint, New Jersey, and Belvidere, New Jersey Fall Foliage, which you will see by tomorrow.
WHAT PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR SHOULD I BRING?
- Wide-angle lens.
- Macro photography lens.
- Zoom lens wildlife photography.
- Tripod – for shooting the Milky Way and long-exposure water shots
- Shutter release
- Polarizing Filter
- Neutral Density Filter
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I BRING?
- Water and snacks
- Bug repellent
- Coffee thermos for long nights under the Milky Way (if you get lucky to have peak fall foliage to land on Milky Way week)
- Hiking boots
- Photography gear backpack.
WHAT OTHER PHOTOGRAPHY IS NEARBY?
New Jersey Photography Locations
There’s plenty of other New Jersey photography, so it depends on where you are coming from and your time frame. If you have enough time, you can start in South or Central New Jersey and work up the state.
HOW BUSY DOES IT GET?
It’s not too bad at all. Remember, one big fall foliage weekend will be in October; the hotels will book this in advance.
WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
The Combin Ridge Motel – See details in the pictures below.
STOKES STATE FOREST, FOLIAGE PHOTOGRAPHY
HIKING AND PHOTOGRAPHY
The sprawling landscape of Stokes State Forest boasts an extensive network of over 63 miles of marked trails. These paths vary in length, ranging from a mere half mile to a challenging seventeen miles (Blue Mountain Trail), and encompass a mix of terrains, from easy flatlands to rugged mountainous regions. With many interconnected routes, cyclists can embark on short hour-long journeys or longer treks spanning an entire day.
TILLMAN RAVINE
The trailhead is off Tilman Road and takes you on a picturesque journey through Stokes State Forest. As you traverse the lush greenery, you will encounter a charming stream accompanied by quaint wooden footbridges, a ravine, and a tranquil waterfall. The shimmering waters also provide an excellent opportunity to photograph the calming effect of the cascading movement.
SUNRISE MOUNTAIN
This was our favorite location in the area overall. It was an incredible drive in a beautiful location with a lot of fall colors.
The peak of Sunrise Mountain stands as a popular attraction in Stokes State Forest. Visitors can take in the breathtaking scenery from this vantage point at 1,653 feet above sea level. The harsh environment of the mountain, with its thin soil and intense weather conditions, makes it difficult for plants to thrive. However, hardy species such as mountain laurel, wild blueberry, pitch pine, and scrub oak can be found throughout the area. The pavilion at the top was constructed in the late 1930s by workers from the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Although scenic overlooks don’t make for great photography, the overall experience was one of the best parts of the trip. It’s not always just about the photographs.
COMBIN RIDGE MOTEL
THE COMBIN RIDGE MOTEL – We absolutely adored our stay at this idyllic location, located amongst the vibrant and breathtaking fall foliage of Stokes State Forest. The rooms were pristine yet surprisingly affordable. We were blown away by the recent renovation, which resulted in unbeatable prices for a motel in this area. We will most definitely be returning next year to once again bask in the glory of autumn’s splendor. This establishment far exceeded our expectations; in fact, it deserves our prestigious “Hotel Mattress of the Year” award! We had the most comfortable night of our entire year at the Combin Ridge Motel.
For those who have an affinity for nature and adventure, this motel is the perfect basecamp for all your hiking expeditions. Make sure to introduce yourself to Joe, the knowledgeable manager who has explored every nook and cranny of the surrounding trails. Under his guidance, we discovered our favorite spot – Sunrise Mountain. The winding paths through lush greenery and breathtaking views left us in awe at every turn. After a day of exploration, we returned to our cozy motel feeling content and fulfilled.
STOKES STATE FOREST PARK INFO
Entrance 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 that for a non-oversized vehicle.
Location:
Stokes State Forest is located near Dover, East Stroudsburg and Hopatcong – Address: 1 Coursen Road, Branchville, NJ 07826
Stokes State Park is the perfect destination for those seeking serenity and adventure. With a vast network of trails spanning 63 miles, visitors can hike to stunning spots such as Sunrise Mountain, the Appalachian Trail, Tillman’s Ravine, and Stepping Stones Falls. The park offers more than just photography spots. It also boasts opportunities for mountain biking, hunting, camping, skiing, snowmobiling, and so much more!
CAMPING
Reserve a campsite at camping.nj.gov. Alcohol is prohibited. Important Camping Information
A non-refundable service fee of $5.00 will be charged to the customer for each reservation.
Campsites: There are 50 family campsites along Sawmill Lake, each equipped with a fire ring and picnic table. 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 reservations 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.
HOTELS
The Cobmin Ridge Motel
(See photos above)
This Motel offers you everything you need: immaculate rooms and excellent management at one of the best prices in the area.
Our choice is for a great, affordable motel when photographing the area. We highly recommend you stay here! BOOK HERE FOR THE BEST PRICE
Amenities in every room
- Fast internet
- SMART TVs with ROKU (50″-58″)
- Fridge
- Microwave
- Hairdryer
FOOD AND DINING
JUMBO LAND DINER
We had a great experience at the diner, which is located just down the street from the Cobmin Ridge Motel. The food was great, and the service was outstanding!
438 US-206, Branchville, NJ 07826
(973) 948-6802
Monday – Sunday 6:00 am – 9:00 pm
Photography Lessons
Photography, Lessons, Workshops and Classes.
Photography Contests
