Some hikes are about the views. Others are about the journey. My recent solo day hike in Sterling Forest State Park, New Jersey, was very much the latter — a peaceful, misty wander through foggy woods, hidden history, and surprise encounters with nature.
I arrived early to a rainy, low-visibility morning. Not ideal by typical hiking standards, but I wasn’t looking for a perfect day — I was looking for solitude, a reset, and maybe a little magic. And Sterling Forest delivered.
The trail began along the quiet shoreline of Sterling Lake, wrapped in fog so thick it felt like stepping into another time. As I moved through the forest, remnants of historic mine buildings peeked out from the trees — weathered stone walls and old foundations that whispered of the park’s industrial past. There’s something grounding about walking among these ruins, knowing that people once lived and worked in the very place I now sought quiet.
One of the unexpected joys of the hike? Newts. So many newts. Bright orange and utterly unbothered by the drizzle, they dotted the trail like tiny, fiery surprises. I paused often just to watch them — careful not to step on any — completely captivated by their slow-motion charm. Sometimes it’s the smallest wildlife that leaves the biggest impression.
The hike to the Sterling Fire Tower was a moderate climb — not too tough, but just enough to get the blood flowing. I was hoping for a rewarding view at the top, but the weather had other plans. Thick fog smothered any sightline, and to my disappointment, the fire tower itself was closed due to safety concerns. Still, the eerie stillness of the tower standing alone in the fog had its own kind of beauty.
The return route followed an old mountain road, wide and gentle, making for the easiest stretch of the 4.3-mile loop. I didn’t see another person the entire way — just me, the rain-softened path, and the hush of the woods. It was exactly the kind of quiet I didn’t realize I needed.
By the time I returned to Sterling Lake, the fog had lifted. The lake that was once a ghostly mirror was now alive with color and clarity. It felt like a gift — a parting moment of beauty I hadn’t earned on the way in, but was lucky enough to receive on the way out.
If you’re craving a hike that trades sweeping vistas for introspection and wildlife moments, Sterling Forest is worth the trip — even (or especially) on a rainy day. Come for the history, stay for the newts, and let the fog guide you somewhere unexpected.
Ava Outdoor Adventures 🏔 