New Jersey · Hiking

Tinsley Trail

Tinsley TrailPhoto: j-dub1980(THANK YOU FOR 100k+ Views), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.0 mi
one way
384 ft
climb
1,418 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Apr, Jun–Oct
best months

Is Tinsley Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Appalachian National Scenic Trail. It doesn't name Tinsley Trail, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: NPS · Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Tinsley Trail is an easy hike in Stokes State Forest in New Jersey, where it crosses into the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The land is managed by the State Department of Natural Resources, and the trail is about 2 miles long, with a total elevation gain of about 384 feet. The route is a point-to-point climb, rising from a low of about 736 feet to a high of about 1,418 feet. The climb is back-loaded, meaning the steepest stretch comes near the end, at about 0.85 miles in, with a grade of about 56 percent. That makes the final stretch the most demanding part of the hike. The most comfortable time to go is late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Sussex run from highs around 71°F in May to 74°F in September, though that station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the higher ground run cooler. The trail is also a practical choice for a longer outing. The Geology Trail is just 0.3 miles away, the Blue Mountain Loop Trail is 0.7 miles off, and the Swenson Trail is about 0.9 miles away. For climbing, High Point State Park is about 7 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Apr, Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Tinsley Trail

    Best months: April and June–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      35° / 17°

      11 wet · 5 snow

    2. Feb

      38° / 18°

      9 wet · 5 snow

    3. Mar

      47° / 25°

      11 wet · 3 snow

    4. Apr

      60° / 36°

      12 wet

    5. May

      71° / 46°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      78° / 55°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 60°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 59°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 51°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      63° / 40°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      51° / 31°

      10 wet · 1 snow

    12. Dec

      40° / 23°

      11 wet · 3 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sussex 3 Wnw, NJ, 3.8 mi away at 667 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Geology TrailPhoto: j-dub1980(THANK YOU FOR 100k+ Views), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Geology Trail

Next door

1.4-mile out-and-back hike in New Jersey with 201 ft elevation gain.

Steffen TrailPhoto: j-dub1980(THANK YOU FOR 100k+ Views), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Steffen Trail

~9 min drive

Steffen Trail is a 1.25-mile point-to-point trail in New Jersey with 110 feet of elevation gain.

HIKE

Blue Mountain Loop Trail

~1 min drive

A 16.43-mile point-to-point mountain trail in New Jersey.

Swenson TrailPhoto: j-dub1980(THANK YOU FOR 100k+ Views), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Swenson Trail

~2 min drive

0.84-mile point-to-point trail in New Jersey with 117 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Sussex Branch Trail

~12 min drive

5.98-mile out-and-back trail in New Jersey with 308 ft elevation gain.

Stony Brook TrailPhoto: cm195902, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Stony Brook Trail

~2 min drive

A 2.22-mile point-to-point creek-side hike through New Jersey woodland.

Stony Lake TrailPhoto: cm195902, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Stony Lake Trail

~4 min drive

Quick point-to-point walk to Stony Lake with minimal elevation gain.

Coursen TrailPhoto: cm195902, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Coursen Trail

~4 min drive

1.23-mile point-to-point trail in New Jersey with 155 ft elevation gain

Lead Mine TrailPhoto: Garden State Hiker, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lead Mine Trail

~5 min drive

Short point-to-point trail featuring historical lead mining sites in New Jersey.

Rock Oak TrailPhoto: Nicholas A. Tonelli from Pennsylvania, USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Rock Oak Trail

~7 min drive

1.45-mile point-to-point hike in New Jersey with 157 ft gain

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors