Above: Gottheimer visiting the Appalachian Trail in Sussex County.

SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ — As the Autumn season begins, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) visited the Appalachian Trail, the longest hiking-only trail in the world, to highlight great eco-tourism activities available for families and visitors across North Jersey. All 72 miles of the Appalachian Trail in New Jersey run through the Fifth Congressional District.

Information on the best places to see New Jersey’s fall foliage can be found here, including High Point State Park in Sussex County and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in both Sussex and Warren Counties.

“Great natural resources like the Appalachian Trail and the visitors it attracts are a vital part of the North Jersey economy and critical to boosting eco-tourism in the region, creating jobs, and supporting our communities,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “As my eco-tourism plans have addressed, I’m working to attract more of our fellow Garden State residents to Sussex and Warren Counties, to come spend time in our region, visit our businesses and participate in agritourism and ecotourism — highlighting the region’s assets, helping the industry flourish, and boosting our local economies.”

Gottheimer continued, “We’re also very blessed to have the most beautiful District in the State of New Jersey, with all 72 miles of the Appalachian Trail that run through the Garden State, as well as the magnificent Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. We must work together to preserve these natural treasures for our future generations.”

Video of Gottheimer’s visit to the Appalachian Trail in Vernon can be found here.

As part of his Eco-Tourism Task Force, Gottheimer has brought together growers, farmers, small business owners, and local officials to discuss how to boost agritourism and ecotourism to Northern New Jersey.

Gottheimer also helped pass the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act, which was signed into law in 2020 to preserve and protect our country’s public lands and National Parks, and to create more than 100,000 jobs across the U.S.

Gottheimer was joined on the Appalachian Trail by Vernon Mayor Howard Burrell, Vernon Council President Harry Shortway, and Vernon Councilman Michael Furrey. The Appalachian Trail boardwalk in Vernon was recently renovated to improve safety and accessibility.

Below: Gottheimer the Appalachian Trail in Sussex County.

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