Warren County · Northwest New Jersey
Blairstown
Blairstown pairs a remarkably intact historic village with rolling farmland, the Paulins Kill, wooded preserves, Blair Academy, live arts and easy access to the outdoor landscapes of northern Warren County.
Why Blairstown stands out: This is one of northern Warren County's strongest all-around destination towns. Its historic center, schools, cultural venues, recreation, small-business community and nearby natural areas provide enough local depth for a complete NJTGO guide set.
5,704
2020 U.S. Census population
5,815
2025 Census population estimate
1845
Township incorporated
07825
Primary ZIP Code
Warren
County
Explore Blairstown
Use the dedicated guides for the parts of town you want to explore in more detail.
Business & Shopping
Main Street shops, local services, healthcare, professional businesses and regional shopping.
Food & Drink
Restaurants, cafés, diners, bakeries, takeout, farm-related food and local favorites.
Real Estate
Housing character, rural property, historic homes, zoning and property resources.
Visiting & Lodging
Historic sights, trails, lodging, nearby camping, trip ideas and visitor planning.
Classifieds
Local classified categories, community notices, items for sale and announcements.
Jobs
Local employers, schools, public-sector opportunities and regional employment resources.
About Blairstown
Blairstown Township was incorporated on April 14, 1845 from part of Knowlton Township and was named for John Insley Blair, the prominent businessman, railroad investor and philanthropist whose influence helped shape the community.
From mill village to regional center: The village grew around the Paulins Kill and later benefited from railroad development, local commerce and Blair Academy. Much of the village's late-19th- and early-20th-century character remains visible today.
The U.S. Census Bureau counted 5,704 residents in 2020 and estimated 5,815 residents in 2025. Although Blairstown has a recognizable compact village center, the township also extends across a much broader rural landscape of farms, forests, roads, streams and preserved open space.
Historic Blairstown
Blairstown's history is not confined to a single landmark. The village streetscape, schools, churches, old mill buildings and commercial core create a cohesive historic environment.
Arts, Music & Culture
Blairstown's intimate live-arts venue presents concerts and cultural programming and is operated by the nonprofit Blairstown Live-Arts organization.
An artist-run cooperative gallery showcasing fine art, pottery, jewelry, fiber work, photography and other locally made American art and craft.
The Blair campus adds galleries, music, theater and student arts programming to the cultural life of the township.
Community organizations use Main Street and Footbridge Park for seasonal events, local arts, music, vendors and family activities.
Bedlam in Blairstown — October 17, 2026
The Blairstown Enhancement Committee has announced the 2026 fall festival at Footbridge Park, with bed races, live music, local artisans, demonstrations, family activities and Main Street shopping and dining specials. Check the current community calendar before traveling.
Blairstown on Film
A recognizable horror-film location: Downtown Blairstown was used in the original Friday the 13th. Fans can recognize Main Street, the footbridge area, the old mill/archway, the former Blairstown Theater now known as Roy's Hall, and Blairstown Diner. The camp used as “Camp Crystal Lake” is Camp NoBeBoSco in neighboring Hardwick Township and is not generally open to the public.
Warren County tourism periodically highlights the area's movie locations and special Friday-the-13th events. Visitors should respect private property and any access restrictions when exploring filming sites.
Parks, Trails & Open Space
A central community park with access to the river corridor and Paulinskill Valley Trail, closely connected to Main Street.
One of Blairstown's principal recreation areas, with athletic-field uses and access near the Paulins Kill corridor.
A 389-acre New Jersey Natural Lands Trust preserve with forest, wetlands, limestone geology, rare plants and wildlife habitat.
A separate 97-acre Ridge and Valley Conservancy preserve with public hiking access through forested limestone-ridge terrain.
A local active-recreation property included in the township's park and open-space system.
Farmland preservation and open-space protection remain important parts of Blairstown's rural landscape and community identity.
Paulinskill Valley Trail: The state rail-trail extends roughly 26.5 miles from Knowlton through Blairstown and onward into Sussex County. It follows a former New York, Susquehanna & Western Railroad corridor and supports walking, bicycling and horseback riding, with winter cross-country skiing also possible when conditions allow.
Education
Blairstown, NJ 07825
908-362-6111
Public school serving students in Pre-K through grade 6.
Blairstown, NJ 07825
908-362-8211
Public regional district serving grades 7–12 for Blairstown, Frelinghuysen, Hardwick and Knowlton.
Blairstown, NJ 07825
908-362-6121
Coeducational boarding and day college-preparatory school serving grades 9–12 and founded in Blairstown in 1848.
Township Government & Public Services
Blairstown Municipal Building
106 Route 94
Blairstown, NJ 07825
908-362-6663
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Blairstown, NJ 07825
908-362-6663
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Mayor
Rob Moorhead
Township Committee
Township Committee
Deputy Mayor
Giovanna (Joanne) Van Valkenburg
Township Committee
Township Committee
Police Department
106 Route 94
908-362-8266
Emergency: 911
908-362-8266
Emergency: 911
Department of Public Works
25 Lambert Road
908-362-8119
908-362-8119
Blairstown Ambulance Corps
108 Route 94
908-362-9363
Emergency: 911
908-362-9363
Emergency: 911
Blairstown Hose Company No. 1
12 Mohican Road
908-362-6789
Emergency: 911
908-362-6789
Emergency: 911
Recreation Department
908-362-6663 ext. 232
Community Organizations & Local Life
A volunteer-driven nonprofit supporting beautification, Main Street activity, small businesses and community events.
A program of the Blairstown Enhancement Committee connecting businesses, organizations and community leaders.
Community outreach location associated with First Presbyterian Church and local programs, including food-pantry services.
Seasonal recreation offerings provide sports, camps, social programs and other activities for local residents.
Places of Worship
908-362-5254
908-362-6693
908-362-9793
908-362-9405
908-362-6444
Sports & Recreation
Blairstown's recreation options extend well beyond formal athletic fields because the township sits within one of the most outdoors-oriented parts of New Jersey.
Nearby Communities
Frelinghuysen Township
Rural Warren County community immediately east and southeast of Blairstown.
Hardwick Township
Wooded and rural township north and west of Blairstown, including Camp NoBeBoSco.
Hope Township
Historic Moravian village and rural community south of Blairstown.
Knowlton Township
Delaware River township west of Blairstown and a gateway toward the Delaware Water Gap region.
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