If you ever find yourself in the Watchung, NJ area, Washington Rock State Park is a quick and worthwhile stop. Located just off Route 22, it’s an easy pit stop to make in central Jersey. As one of the oldest state parks in New Jersey, it also played a very important role in American history.

For history buffs, this Watchung Mountain overlook offers a glimpse into the strategy George Washington used during the Revolutionary War. With 30 miles of panoramic views, the overlook provided Washington the perfect vantage point to monitor the movements of the British army under General Howe in 1777. Washington was able to track the army on land as well as in the New York Harbor.

This isn’t a park you’ll be spending a full day at. Unless you plan to enjoy lunch at one of the picnic tables, you can easily see everything and be on your way in less than 25 minutes. There’s no entrance fee and a parking lot across the street that leads to a paved path. This path takes you straight to the rock and overlook. There are also a few interpretive signs explaining the historical significance and what you can view in the distance.

On a clear day, you can even spot the New York City skyline to the northeast. Unfortunately, it was cloudy when we were there, so we only got a slight glimpse. The park is open sunrise to sunset so combining a view of the rock, NYC skyline and sky could be a fun experience.

Ultimately, If you happen to be nearby or are a history lover, Washington Rock State Park would be worth the visit. Otherwise, we recommend pairing it with another activity to make the most of your time in the area. We combined our visit with biking part of the D&R Canal Trail. This is a trail that stretches over 70 miles along the Delaware and Raritan Rivers. We’ll talk more about this in a separate post. No matter how you plan your visit, you’ll be able to say you stood where George Washington once stood during the Revolutionary War.