New Jersey · Rock climbing · Hardwick · Near Hackettstown

Ricks Rocks

11 routes
5.1 – 5.11a
Trad · Top Rope
Apr–Oct
best months

Is Ricks Rocks open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. It doesn't name Ricks Rocks, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: NPS · Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Ricks Rocks is a climbing area in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in New Jersey, managed by the National Park Service. It sits within the recreation area's land, and there is no fee to visit. The area has 11 climbing routes, 10 of which are trad and one is top rope. Grades run from 5.1 to 5.11, with the median at 5.7. Among the routes are One Bowl Gully at 5.1, Princeton Crack at 5.6, and Roof crack at 5.11. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Newton, NJ, show May highs around 70°F and September highs around 75°F, with July the warmest month at about 84°F. Several other spots are close by. The Blue White Trail is under a mile away, and the Orange Trail and Yellow Trail are each about a mile off. Paddlers can reach the Delaware River Water Trail within 2 miles.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Forest campsite

    Campground

    Campground · 0.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Main Lodge & Dining Hall

    Food court

    On your way back · 3 mi
  • If it rainsZeete, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Sterling Hill Mining Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 19 mi from Hackettstown

    Zinc mine and museum in Ogdensburg, New Jersey

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Zeete, CC BY-SA 4.0 (commons)

More in Hackettstown
  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Ricks Rocks

    Best months: April–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

      37° / 17°

    2. Feb

      40° / 19°

    3. Mar

      48° / 28°

    4. Apr

      61° / 38°

    5. May

      70° / 48°

    6. Jun

      80° / 56°

    7. Jul

      84° / 62°

    8. Aug

      83° / 60°

    9. Sep

      75° / 52°

    10. Oct

      64° / 41°

    11. Nov

      52° / 32°

    12. Dec

      41° / 24°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Newton, NJ, 10.6 mi away at 605 ft. The station sits about 500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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