Sunfish Pond Loop Hiking Guide
Sunfish Pond is a glacial lake sitting on top of the Kittatinny Ridge, and the classic way to reach it is a loop from the Dunnfield Creek Natural Area: north on the Appalachian Trail to the pond, then down the green-blazed Dunnfield Creek Trail through a rhododendron and hemlock ravine. The pond was nearly lost to a utility reservoir in the 1960s, and protest hikes, including a 1967 march led by Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, turned it into a conservation cause. It is now a National Natural Landmark and one of New Jersey's best-loved day hikes.
The Loop, Step by Step
Start at the Dunnfield Creek lot and cross the bridge onto the white-blazed Appalachian Trail. The AT climbs steadily up the ridge, mostly on graded switchbacks with a few rocky pitches, and reaches the southern end of Sunfish Pond. The AT then follows the pond's western shore. For the return, walk back to the junction with the light-green Dunnfield Creek Trail, which Worthington State Forest describes as a rocky and sometimes steep route that drops through a ravine with small waterfalls back to the Delaware River. You finish near the parking area. Hiking the creek as the descent saves the wettest footing for when you are fresh enough to watch it.
Distance Depends on the Version
Measurements vary with how much of the pond you walk. The popular mapping-app version of the AT and Dunnfield Creek loop is about 9.6 miles with roughly 1,340 feet of gain. NJHiking.com measures its version of the loop at 7.9 miles, and other mapped variants come in near 7.6. The state forest lists the Dunnfield Creek Trail itself at 3.4 miles. Plan on a full morning or most of a day. The climb is steady rather than brutal, but nearly every mile is on rock.
At the Pond
The state forest calls the lake 41 acres; other sources, including the National Natural Landmark description, say 44. It sits around 1,380 feet up, in an oak and chestnut forest with mountain laurel and sheep laurel along the shore. Swimming is prohibited and camping at the pond is not allowed. The designated backpacker campsite nearby is reserved for overnight thru-hikers. Expect company on summer and fall weekends, and carry out everything you bring in.
Parking, Fees and Hours
Park at the Dunnfield Creek Natural Area off Interstate 80 near Exit 1. No entrance or parking fee is charged; Delaware Water Gap's day-use fees apply only at five beach and river sites, none of them here. The lot is shared with the Mount Tammany crowd, and NJHiking warns it can fill early on nice weekends, so arrive early. Worthington State Forest posts trail hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and on short autumn days the light runs out first, so time a long loop to finish before sunset.
Wildlife, Water and Footing
This is black bear country. Pack food carefully, never approach a bear, and report aggressive ones to 1-877-WARN-DEP. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trail on leads no longer than six feet. The state parks' AT guidance says water along the trail may not be safe to drink, so carry enough for the whole trip or treat what you take. Several rock-hop crossings on Dunnfield Creek get tricky after heavy rain. In winter, ice on the rocks slows everything down.
Hiking tips for Sunfish Pond Loop
- Go up the Appalachian Trail and come down Dunnfield Creek so the slick creek crossings come last.
- Bring all your drinking water; streams along the AT need treating before you drink.
- Plan on being off the trail by dusk, the forest's closing time for hikers.
- Don't swim or set up camp at Sunfish Pond; both are banned there.
- Wear real hiking boots for the rock that covers almost every mile.
Nearby trails to explore
- Mount Tammany Red Dot and Blue Dot Loop
- Rattlesnake Swamp and Catfish Fire Tower Loop
- Van Campens Glen Trail
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Sunfish Pond is a long day on the AT, and a partner makes the miles go faster. Use TrailMates to find hikers heading to Sunfish Pond in the Delaware Water Gap. Download the TrailMates app to connect.