A Visit to the Frying Pan Forest

Story and photos by Amanda Morris

If you ever find yourself traveling northbound along Rt 15 in Sparta, New Jersey, you may have noticed a bit of a gleam up on the hill as you look up toward the right just after you pass Blue Heron Road, especially during the colder seasons, when the trees are bare. Some have mistaken these shimmering ornaments for hubcaps, sparking some curiosity as to what these hanging metal items placed so high up on the hill could be.

Those who decide to take the climb up this rocky hill will find themselves under the canopy of the The Rock Island Frying Pan Trees, otherwise known as the Frying Pan Forest.

This unique and questionable find in Sussex County is known to be a popular Geocaching spot within the hiking community. A Geocache is an “any-day, any-time adventure” created by people, for people, and usually consists of small containers hidden in the wilderness with interesting items inside of them. In this case, the surprise is out in the open. Known as the “world’s largest treasure hunt” these spots can also be found using a Geocaching app. In this case, it’s also a pretty simple search on Google Maps.

Since the Frying Pan Tree regained some popularity back in 2023, the burning question has come about once more, “Why?” What is the origin of this strange forest nestled beside Weldon Brook? There are varieties of hiking trails around the Wildlife Management area, but what made this spot such an attraction?

There are several theories of how this collection of Teflon has come about. Some suggest that it was a party spot for teenagers, but sneaking away with Nan’s good Cuisinart to grab a few drinks with friends just doesn’t make much sense. One of the more popular theories is that an old Girl Scouts Camp was the first to start hanging them up, starting this odd tradition. There is even word that it may be haunted, but hey, it’s always a possibility, no?

Regardless of how the tradition began, this Frying Pan Tree has definitely grown into a popular forest that covers the hilltop, glistening in the wind as you take a peak along your northern commute. Whether you bring a frying pan of your own to hang with a unique message or dedication, or simply come on up to enjoy the peaceful, yet eerie ambient chimes of non-stick and Teflon alike, this is a site that is worth the climb at least once.

The preceding article is an excerpt from Weird NJ magazine, “Your Travel Guide to New Jersey’s Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets,” which is available on newsstands throughout the state and on the web at www.WeirdNJ.com.  All contents ©Weird NJ and may not be reproduced by any means without permission.

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