If you are looking for things to do in Sussex County, NJ, chances are you want something actually worth the drive, the kind of outing that gets everyone’s phone in their pocket, sparks a few laughs, and ends with someone saying “we need to do this again.”
Sussex County has the usual suspects covered: hiking trails, lakes, mountain views, but there’s one activity a lot of visitors never even hear about. It is called park golf, and once people play their first round, it often becomes part of their regular weekend plans.
Set within the beautiful landscape of Great Gorge in Vernon, 1Club has introduced this Japanese inspired sport to New Jersey, creating an outdoor experience that feels welcoming from the very first swing. You do not need special equipment, previous experience, or even a particularly competitive spirit. You simply arrive, learn the game in a few minutes, and spend the next couple of hours enjoying the outdoors with the people you came with.
If you have been wondering where to spend your next free afternoon, park golf deserves a place on your list.
Why more people are looking for things to do in Sussex County
Sussex County has always been one of New Jersey’s most scenic corners, but in recent years it has become much more than a destination for hikers and winter sports enthusiasts.
As everyday schedules become busier, many people are choosing day trips over long vacations. They want experiences that feel refreshing without requiring weeks of planning. Sussex County offers exactly that. It is close enough for an easy drive from North Jersey and New York City, yet once you arrive, the pace feels completely different.
The growing interest is reflected in statewide tourism data. According to the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism, the state welcomed 123.7 million visitors in 2024, while recreation spending exceeded $6 billion for the first time in history. Much of that growth has been driven by people looking for outdoor experiences, scenic destinations, and memorable day trips rather than traditional attractions.
It is easy to understand why. A few hours surrounded by trees, fresh air, and good company often feels like a much better reset than another afternoon spent indoors.
What is park golf?
Despite the name, park golf surprises almost everyone who tries it.
Created in Japan during the 1980s, the sport was designed around one simple idea: create an outdoor game that almost anyone could enjoy together, regardless of age or athletic ability.
The rules are refreshingly straightforward. Every player uses a single wooden club and one oversized ball. The objective is simply to reach the hole in as few strokes as possible.
There are no complicated scorecards to memorize and no long learning curve. Most first time players understand the basics within a few minutes, which means the focus quickly shifts away from learning the rules and toward enjoying the experience.
If you would like to see exactly how the game works before your visit, the About the Sport page explains everything you need to know.
Why park golf feels different
One of the nicest things about park golf is that it creates conversations almost without anyone noticing.
Because the course is compact, groups stay together from the first hole to the last. Nobody disappears hundreds of yards ahead. There is time to celebrate good shots, laugh at unexpected bounces, and enjoy the scenery between holes.
That relaxed rhythm makes the game appealing to a remarkably wide range of people. Families with children, couples, groups of friends, coworkers, and even three generations of the same family can comfortably play together.
Nobody feels left behind because nobody is expected to arrive with years of experience.
That sense of shared participation is something many people are quietly looking for. The American Psychological Association has found that time outdoors is consistently linked to lower stress, better mood, sharper focus, and a stronger overall sense of wellbeing. Researchers have also noticed that natural settings bring out more positive social interactions, helping people feel closer to one another.
Sometimes the activity itself matters less than the space it creates for people to simply enjoy being together.
Why Sussex County is the perfect place to experience park golf
Location plays a bigger role than many people realize.
Park golf could technically be played almost anywhere, but the surroundings shape the entire experience. That is one reason Great Gorge feels like such a natural home for the sport.
Sitting in the New York-New Jersey Highlands region, Sussex County is famous for its rugged, glacial geography. It’s home to High Point, the highest peak in the state, and a massive 20-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail cuts right through Vernon Township. Because the county has spent decades preserving its massive state parks and forests, the land here still looks remarkably untouched.
The 1Club course follows this exact, unfiltered landscape instead of trying to bulldoze it flat. Originally laid out in the 1970s as part of the historic Great Gorge property and designed by legendary golf architect George Fazio, the terrain naturally utilizes the rolling hills and exposed rock walls leftover from the area’s old mining days.
Gentle slopes, mature trees, mountain views, and open green spaces become part of every round, making even a casual afternoon feel like a proper escape from the everyday routine.
Many visitors arrive expecting to play for a couple of hours. They often end up staying much longer simply because the setting encourages them to slow down. It is one of those places where time seems to move at a slightly different pace.
A day at 1Club
At 1Club, park golf is only part of the experience.
Located at historic Great Gorge in Vernon, the course was designed to bring people together in an atmosphere that feels welcoming from the moment they arrive. Equipment is provided, the rules are easy to learn, and the game naturally encourages conversation instead of competition.
As players move through the eighteen holes, carefully selected music plays throughout the course, adding energy without ever interrupting conversations. Between scenic views and open green spaces, the setting feels relaxed in a way that is increasingly difficult to find.
When the final putt drops, the afternoon does not have to end.
Many groups head to Hef’s Hideaway, where handcrafted cocktails and refreshing mocktails make it easy to linger a little longer. Just a short walk away, Hef’s Hut serves elevated comfort food, including house smoked wings, crispy chicken bao, baby back ribs, and the signature Great Gorge Burger.
It is easy to understand why birthdays, family gatherings, corporate outings, and weekend meetups naturally find a home here. People come to play, but they often stay for everything that surrounds the game.
If you are planning your first visit, the Vernon location page has directions and visitor information, while the calendar highlights upcoming events throughout the season.
How to turn your visit into a full day trip
Since you’re already making the trip out to Vernon, it makes sense to build a whole afternoon or day around it. You can easily pair a round of park golf with a few other spots right on the property or just a few minutes down the road.
Option 1: The “high energy, low key” mix
- The Morning: Start next door at TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park. Spending a couple of hours on the climbing ropes and ziplines gets the adrenaline out of the way early.
- The Afternoon: Head over to 1Club to wind down. Park golf is the perfect antidote to a morning of intense climbing. It keeps everyone outside and moving, but at a pace where you can actually hold a conversation.
- The Evening: Wind down with drinks at Hef’s Hideaway while everyone argues over who actually won the round.
Option 2: The easygoing sightseer route
- The Morning: Grab coffee and wander through Heaven Hill Farm to check out the local market and farm stands.
- The Afternoon: Head to the course when the sun is up and the music is going.
- The Evening: Walk right over to Hef’s Hut for dinner. Grab a table outside around sunset. The views of the ridge from the patio are tough to beat while you’re eating a burger.
Two quick things to keep in mind:
- The Fall Views: If you are planning a trip for October, the tree line around Great Gorge turns incredible shades of orange and red. It’s worth coming just for the leaf-peeping.
- Beating the Crowds: If you want the park golf course mostly to yourself to take your time and get the hang of the game, aim for a weekday afternoon or book the first tee time on a Saturday morning.
Why simple outdoor activities often become the most memorable
When people look back on weekends they genuinely enjoyed, they rarely remember every detail of what they did.
Instead, they remember the conversations, the unexpected jokes, the beautiful weather, or the moment someone made an impossible shot that nobody saw coming.
Psychologists call this kind of thing a contributor to social wellbeing, and there’s research behind it. Spending enjoyable time outdoors together strengthens your sense of connection and lowers stress, even when the activity itself is nothing fancy.
Perhaps that explains why activities like park golf leave such a lasting impression. They create enough structure to keep everyone engaged, while leaving plenty of space for the moments that cannot be planned.
Those are usually the ones people remember.
Planning your visit
One of the biggest advantages of park golf is how easy it is to fit into almost any weekend.
A typical round takes about two hours, making it ideal for a spontaneous afternoon, a family outing, or a larger celebration. Comfortable clothing and regular sneakers are all you need, since all equipment is provided on site.
If you are visiting during weekends or holiday periods, booking ahead is recommended, particularly for larger groups.
Whether you are introducing children to a new outdoor activity, planning a date, organizing a birthday, or simply searching for things to do in Sussex County, park golf offers an experience that feels both refreshing and surprisingly easy to enjoy.
Frequently asked questions
What is park golf?
Park golf is a beginner friendly outdoor sport created in Japan. Players use one wooden club and one oversized ball to complete each hole in as few strokes as possible.
Do I need golf experience?
Not at all. The game was designed for beginners, and most people learn the rules within a few minutes.
How long does a round take?
Most groups complete an 18 hole round in around two hours, depending on group size.
Is park golf suitable for children?
Yes. The simple rules and relaxed pace make it a great activity for children, parents, and grandparents to enjoy together.
Where is 1Club located?
1Club is located at Great Gorge in Vernon, New Jersey, making it an easy day trip from much of North Jersey and New York City.
What should I wear?
Comfortable outdoor clothing and sneakers are perfect. All park golf equipment is provided.
Can I stay after my round?
Absolutely. Many visitors finish their game with drinks at Hef’s Hideaway or a meal at Hef’s Hut while enjoying the views across Great Gorge.
Park golf gives visitors an easygoing, outdoor activity that works for families, couples, coworkers, and weekend groups looking for something more memorable than the usual day trip.
The game is simple to learn, requires no special experience, and quickly shifts the focus from instruction to enjoying the course together.
Because the course keeps everyone close together, there is time to laugh, compare shots, and enjoy the scenery without the group splitting apart.
Between 1Club, Hef’s Hut, TreEscape, and the Great Gorge setting, the experience naturally fits into a larger day trip instead of ending after one activity.