NJ Camping Info: Skyland Region Attractions

Gentle mountains. Skiing. Rock climbing. Horseback riding.Would you believe you're in New Jersey?

By land, sea and air, there's plenty for visitors to do here all year long. Campers can pitch their tents in several state parks and at one of the many private campgrounds in the area; swimmers, boaters and fishermen will find a haven at Lake Hopatcong, the state's largest lake; and hot-air-balloon enthusiasts can enjoy the region from another perspective: floating through the skies high above a quilt of emerald fields. The Skylands Region is home to the New Jersey Festival of Ballooning.

In late summer hikers can find fall sneaking into the Skylands Region early, painting the foliage of the Kittatiny and Watchung mountains in bright oranges and yellows. Autumn is a perfect time to tour a local winery or visit the Lakota Wolf Preserve in Columbia.

Winter's arrival could find you schussing down the slopes, or gliding cross-country at one of the regions popular ski areas.

But you don't have to be the outdoors-type to enjoy all the Skylands Region has to offer. Cultural experiences also abound here.  Take a seat at one of the region's several playhouses - there is the Commons Theater at Drew University in Madison or the Morris Museum in Morristown. At the Sterling Hill Mine & Museum in Ogdensburg, or the Franklin Mineral Museum take in the Skylands from a novel view - underground, on a mine tour. Visit Lambertville, the antiques and flea market capital of the region.

For cultural experiences or just plain fun, the sky's the limit in the Skylands Region - indoors, outdoors, any time of year.

Check it out:

Appalachian Trail National Scenic Trail from Maine to Georgia. New Jersey section guide & maps available from NY-NJ Trail Conference, 232 Madison Ave., NY,NY 10016

Fairy Tale Forest 145 Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge. Family storyland of hand-crafted life sized displays. (973) 697-5656

Four Sisters Winery & Matarazzo Farms 10 Doe Hollow Lane, Route 519, Belvidere 07823 (908) 475-3671.Open 7 days. Custom labeling, grapecrushing parties, picnic facilities,many festivals, farm market. King's Road Vineyard - RD 2 Box 352 B, Milford 08848 (908) 479-6611. Open all year, except major holidays: Sat. and Sun. 12 to 5. Guided tours, free tasting.

Franklin Mineral Museum Franklin, Evens Street off Routes 23 & 517. Mineral displays, rock hunt and show. Wednesday to Sunday. (973) 827-3481

Golf Museum Route 512, Far Hills. U.S.G.A. museum and library of golf displays, memorabilia and paintings. (908) 234-2300

High Point State Park High Point, S. R. 23, Sussex. 12,685 acres, including the highest point in New Jersey. (973) 875-4800

Kittatinny Canoes Dingman's Ferry, PA. Delaware River canoe, kayak & rafting trips. 1-800-FLOAT-KC

Lakota Wolf Preserve 85 Mount Pleasant Rd., Columbia. Experience watching and listening to packs of Tundra, Timber, and Arctic wolves. Bobcats and foxes also part of the preserve. Located on the grounds of Camp Taylor Campground (908) 496-9244 or 1-877-SEEWOLF.

Land Of Make Believe Great Meadows Road, Route 611, Hope. Children's theme park. (908) 459-5100

Liberty Village Factory Outlets Church Street, Flemington. Over 65 famous brand outlets. For free brochure: (908) 782-8550.

Shippen Manor 8 Belvidere Avenue, Oxford 07863. Tours the 1st and 2nd Sundays of each month from 1-4 pm excluding holidays; Wed. for groups by appointment. Donation. (908) 453-4381

Skylands Park 94 Champion Place, Augusta. Home of the New Jersey Cardinals minor league baseball team and various concerts & shows. (973) 579-7500

Space Farm Zoo & Museum 218 Rte. 519, Beemervlle, 07461, Over 200 species of North American wildlife. Museum of antique cars, horse drawn vehicles, firearms and more. (973) 875-5880

Speedwell Village Speedwell Ave., Morristown. Historic Homestead Farm where the first telegraph eveloped. Explore 19th Century lifestyles through exhibits and restored homes. (973) 540-0211.

Sterling Hill Mine & Museum 30 Plant Street, Ogdensburg. Go underground & tour what was a working zinc mine. Visit the 5,000 sq. ft. exhibit hall at this unique mineralogical site. (973) 209-7212

Sussex County Fair Grounds Home of the Sussex County Horse & Farm Show and NJ State Fair, the largest of its kind in the State, Aug. 5-14, 2005

Tamuzza Vineyards and Winery Cemetery Road, Hope. Free wine tasting and tours. Special events. Open year round, Tuesday-Sunday: 11 am to 6 pm. (908) 459-5878

Top North Crafts, Inc. Box 689, Blairstown. Call for listing of arts and crafts shows in your area at County Fairs, malls, hotels, schools, villages and more. (908) 362-5006

Waterloo Village Exit 25 off Route I-80, Bryam/Stanhope. 19th Century village filled with colonial crafts. Summer concerts and festivals. (973) 347-0900

Wild West City Netcong. Watch gun fights; ride ponies or a stage coach; visit the Golden Nugget Saloon. (973) 347-8900

Wine Vineyards Alba Vineyard - Route 627, Finesville. Wine tasting and tours. Closed Monday. (908) 995-7800