Deep in the wooded hills of northern New Jersey stands one of the state’s most mysterious landmarks. Van Slyke Castle isn’t your typical tourist attraction with guided tours and gift shops.
The stone ruins of this once-grand mansion now serve as a haunting reminder of a bygone era, hidden along rocky trails in the Ramapo Mountain Reservation near Wanaque.
Built over a century ago and later destroyed by fire, the castle has become a magnet for hikers, photographers, and curious adventurers who brave the challenging terrain to glimpse its crumbling walls…