The Kittatinny and Ramapo mountains are located in the northwestern part of the state, and are covered in hiking trails. The Appalachian Trail runs 70 miles through New Jersey in the mountains and the area has a rugged, green New England feel. Farms and bed and breakfasts are predominant in this region of the state, where travelers have access to fresh eggs and produce from local farmers. Small towns like Newton, Milford and Franklin are peppered throughout this area of Jerseys.

The New Jersey State Botanical Gardens, spanning 96 acres, is located in the hills of the Highlands region. Waterloo Village, a restored Early American mill village, covers 400 acres along the Musconectcong River and is a popular stop in nearby Stanhope.

Fairy Tale Forest, in West Milford, is a kiddie-style theme park in the woods, complete with puppet shows and Humpty Dumpty's wall. Long Pond Ironworks State Park and Ramapo Mountain State Forest, among several other parks, offer canoeing, hiking, fishing and biking. In the winter, skiing is popular in Hidden Valley, Vernon and Mountain Creek Ski Resort, the state's largest ski area.

The Kittatinny and Ramapo Mountains are located in the northwest region of the state, close to where the New York and Pennsylvania borders meet. The area is bordered in the south by I-80 which runs into Pennsylvania.