Sandyston Township

Rural northwest Sussex County — home to Layton, Hainesville and other historic communities, with farms, forests, lakes and a large share of protected state and federal land.

About Sandyston: Sandyston Township was established in 1762. The township includes the unincorporated communities of Layton, Hainesville, Shaytown, Abertown, Bevans, Tuttles Corner and Normanook. The Delaware River forms its western edge.

Township Essentials

Municipal Building

133 Route 645
Sandyston, NJ 07826
973-948-3520

Municipal offices, tax, construction, land use and local services.

Sandyston-Walpack Consolidated School

100 County Road 560
Layton, NJ 07851
973-948-4450

Public school serving Sandyston and Walpack students through grade 6.

Secondary School

Students in grades 7–12 attend Kittatinny Regional High School in Hampton Township.

Public Safety

Sandyston Township Volunteer Fire Department and Blue Ridge Rescue Squad serve the community. Call 911 for emergencies.

Outdoors & Recreation

Stokes State Forest

Large areas of the forest lie in Sandyston, offering hiking, camping, fishing, paddling, lakes, streams and access to the Appalachian Trail corridor.

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Federal lands along Sandyston’s western side preserve the Delaware River valley, historic landscapes, trails and extensive natural habitat.

Stony Lake, Lake Ashroe & Lake Ocquittunk

These Stokes State Forest waters support fishing, paddling, picnicking and quiet outdoor recreation.

Sandyston Recreation

Community programming includes seasonal family activities, recreation events and locally organized programs.

History & Local Character

Layton & Hainesville

These two historic village centers remain the township’s most recognizable community hubs and help concentrate local services along Route 560, Route 645 and Route 206.

Sandyston Township Historical Society

The society preserves local records, photographs, family history and the Nan Horsfield Archives, with research access offered on scheduled dates.

Peters Valley

The Peters Valley area is an important historic and cultural landscape within the township and is home to the well-known craft school community.

Historic Cemeteries

Local burial grounds include Hainesville, Layton, Bevans, Mettler and the Ancient Minisink / Old Gumaer burial ground.

Farms & Seasonal Attractions

Sussex County Sunflower Maze at Liberty Farm

101 Route 645

A seasonal Sandyston agritourism destination built around large sunflower fields and a walk-through maze.

Local Agriculture

Sandyston’s working landscape includes hay, cattle, produce, Christmas-tree and diversified farms, supported by the township’s long-standing rural and agricultural character.