Overview: This is a short but steep hike with an overview of Sawmill Lake at the top – a nice trail if you camp at the Sawmill Lake campground in High Point State Park. After a steep climb, it connects to the Appalachian Trail, where you can go as far as you want before turning around.
Our family camped at the Sawmill Lake campground where we were treated to a stunning sunset. From the campground, we took the steep, half-mile Blue Dot Trail up to the Appalachian Trail and north to the visitor center.
Hike Length: 1.0 mile (0.5 miles each way) for the Blue Dot Trail plus as far as you want to go on the Appalachian Trail
Elevation gain: 350 feet on the Blue Dot Trail plus additional gains along the AT.
Location: Sawmill Lake campground, High Point State Park, Sussex County, NJ
Parking & logistics: The trailhead is across from campsite 15 at the Sawmill Campground. When the road around the campground is closed seasonally, you can also access the trail by parking at the Sawmill Lake boat launch and following the lakeside trail or camp road on foot to the trailhead. This will add about a half mile (each way) to your hike.
Map: NJ Parks & Forrests – High Point State Park, NY-NJ Trail Conference High Point State Park map
Trail description:
The Blue Dot Trail is short, but ideal for anyone who enjoys the challenge of rugged terrain. It begins across from campsite fifteen at the Sawmill campground and climbs roughly 350 feet to meet with the Appalachian Trail at the top of the ridge. At first, the trail passes through a shady, moist forest of maple, oak, and hemlock. The wet, mossy ground is a remnant of the cedar bog that once existed where the lake is today.
As you begin to ascend the trail, the vegetation becomes sparser and shifts to scrub oak, birch, and pitch pine. On the way to the top you’ll climb over a number of large rocks and cross several outwashes. 
The summit provides a beautiful overlook of Sawmill Lake and the surrounding mountains. 
The trail ends at the Appalachian Trail, a short distance over the ridge.
Continue along the Appalachian Trail to extend the hike. If you follow the AT to the east (north-bound), after about 3/4 of a mile you will pass by the High Point park office. This is a great spot to go inside, look at the artifacts and informational displays, and buy a snack or candy to reward the kids before turning around and returning to Sawmill Lake.
Dogs: Must be leashed at all times
Kids: This is a short, but steep hike. Near the top, there are one or two spots where you may need to lift up small kids to get over boulders. Use your judgement.
