Marking the site where George Washington observed British troop movements in 1777 during the Revolutionary War, Washington Rock State Park offers picnic grounds, sightseeing and history.
From the rocky high point, which has a rock-lined vista built in 1912 by the Daughters of the American Revolution and nearby residents, the Raritan Valley and the Manhattan skyline are visible on clear days.
The park was created after the state of New Jersey purchased land that had long been a popular picnicking spot for area families in 1913. According to the park history, about 2,500 area residents visited Washington Rock on July 4, 1831, for the 75th anniversary of the nation's independence. Over the ensuing years, many inns and hotels were opened at or near the rock, but none stayed in business for long—the final building burned in 1881.