The Ultimate Guide to Swimming Lakes in New Jersey

Beat the Heat at these NJ Swimming Lakes!

The Garden State is famous for its beautiful ocean beaches, but we’ve also got some fabulous swimming lakes in New Jersey! The calm waters of NJ swimming lakes are ideal for small children or anyone who would like an alternative to the busy pace of summer at the Jersey shore. Most of these New Jersey swimming lakes offer convenient amenities like showers, concession stands, and picnic areas with grills. Some even offer fun activities like inflatable obstacle courses and boat rentals! Read on to learn more about swimming lakes in NJ!

Note: Swimming lakes in New Jersey permit swimming only when lifeguards are on duty and Things To Do In New Jersey does not recommend swimming without a lifeguard under any circumstances. Verify lifeguard hours before heading out for a day of fun at these New Jersey swimming lakes. Day use or admission fees may apply. Days and hours of operation vary based on location! To avoid disappointment, be sure to click on links for site specific information!

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Swimming Lakes in North Jersey

Swimming Lakes in Bergen County NJ

Darlington Lake

Darlington County Park
600 Darlington Avenue
Mahwah NJ

Swimming is permitted at Darlington Lake in Darlington County Park. Located in Mahwah NJ, this park also has a picnic area, a playground, tennis and handball courts, and a bird and wildlife observation area.

Swimming Lakes in Morris County NJ

Lake Hopatcong

Hopatcong State Park
Lakeside Boulevard
Landing NJ

New Jersey’s largest lake, Lake Hopatcong offers swimming during the summer months. The swim area features restrooms, showers, changing areas and a concession stand. There are two sand volleyball courts and a playground near the beachfront.

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Sunrise Lake Beach Club

Lewis Morris County Park
270 Medham Road
Morris Township NJ

Sunrise Lake Beach Club is part of the Morris County Parks System and is located within Lewis Morris County Park. This Morris County NJ swimming lake features an inflatable obstacle course, the “Zoom Flume”, and special “Tiny Tot Tuesdays” (July only) designed especially for kids 4 and under. Paddle boat rentals and a beach volleyball area are available, as are restrooms, showers, and changing facilities. This New Jersey swimming lake is closed on Mondays.

Swimming Lakes in Passaic County NJ

Shepherd Lake

Ringwood State Park
Sloatsburg Road
Ringwood NJ

Ringwood State Park’s 74-acre Shepherd Lake offers swimming Wednesday through Sunday through Labor Day. This New Jersey swimming lake features showers, a changing area, restrooms, canoe rentals, and a concession area. There is also a nice picnic area with grills, shelter, and a playground.

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Wawayanda Lake

Wawayanda State Park
Warwick Turnpike
Hewitt NJ

The crystal clear waters of Wawayanda Lake are open for swimming from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This New Jersey swimming lake features a changing area, restrooms, and a concession stand. Canoes, rowboats, and paddle boats can also be rented. The north shore of the lake has a picnic area with grills.

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Swimming Lakes in Sussex County NJ

Lake Marcia

High Point State Park
Route 23
Sussex NJ

Spring-fed Lake Marcia in High Point State Park is open for swimming daily between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This New Jersey swimming lake offers showers, changing rooms, restrooms, a picnic area, and a food concession adjacent to the beach.

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Swartswood Lake

Swartswood State Park
Route 619
Swartswood NJ

New Jersey’s first state park is home to beautiful Swartswood Lake, the state’s third largest freshwater lake. This NJ swimming lake offers changing rooms, showers, restrooms, and a concession stand and is open for swimming between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Visitors can also rent pedal boats, canoes, and kayaks.

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Tomahawk Lake Waterpark

155 Tomahawk Trail
Sparta NJ

Tomahawk Lake is a private, 200 acre waterpark, featuring lifeguarded swimming on a crystal clear lake as well as a waterpark featuring a variety of thrilling water slides and rides. There are also “size appropriate” areas that are perfect for younger children – Papoose Land is for children under 4 feet tall and Cherokee Corner is for people 5 feet under or less. Tomahawk Lake also features an 18-hole miniature golf course, an outdoor beer garden featuring live music on the weekends, refreshment stands, a softball field, horseshoe pits and volleyball areas, and a picnic area with more than 800 tables.

Swimming Lakes in Warren County NJ

Turtle Beach Swimming Area

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Old Mine Road
Hardwick NJ

Ok, it’s not a lake but we just couldn’t leave out this beautiful swimming area on the banks of the Delaware River! Located in New Jersey’s scenic Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Turtle Beach offers lifeguarded swimming off of a grassy beach between mid-June and the end of August. Picnic tables and restrooms are located on the premises.

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Swimming Lakes in Central New Jersey

Swimming Lakes in Hunterdon County NJ

Round Valley Reservoir

Round Valley Recreation Area
1220 Stanton Lebanon Road
Lebanon NJ

The blue waters of Round Valley Reservoir offers swimmers a cool, refreshing respite from the heat throughout the summer months. Amenities at this New Jersey swimming lake include showers, changing areas, restrooms, playgrounds, volleyball courts, picnic areas with grills, and a concession building.

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Spruce Run Reservoir

Spruce Run Recreation Area
68 Van Syckel’s Road
Clinton NJ

Visitors to Spruce Run Reservoir can enjoy a beautiful lifeguarded swimming area surrounded by the rolling hills of Hunterdon County NJ. This NJ swimming lake features changing areas, restrooms, showers, picnic areas, and a concession building. Boats (rowboats, kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, and motor boats) are also available for hourly and daily rental.

Swimming Lakes in Monmouth County NJ

Hooks Creek Lake

Cheesequake State Park
Gordon Road
Matawan NJ

Cheesequake State Park’s Hooks Creek Lake is a nice alternative to the nearby Jersey Shore during the busy summer months. This New Jersey swimming lake allows swimming at a lifeguarded beach from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend. Amenities at the lake include changing areas, restrooms, playgrounds, and a concession stand.

Swimming Lakes in South Jersey

Swimming Lakes in Burlington County

Atsion Lake

Wharton State Forest
Route 206
Shamong NJ

Located in the heart of the New Jersey Pine Barrens, beautiful Atsion Lake is a great place to cool off when the temperatures start to rise. This New Jersey swimming lake features amenities such as changing areas, showers, restrooms, a concession building, and picnic area with grills. Swimming is permitted from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

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Swimming Lakes in Camden County NJ

Bellmawr Lake

850 Creek Road
Bellmawr NJ

Bellmawr Lake is a privately owned swimming lake in South Jersey, located just 15 to 20 minutes from Center City. Amenities at this New Jersey swimming lake include a 100 foot water slide, beach volleyball, horseshoes, miniature golf, picnic areas, a concession stand, and the Beach Bar & Grill. www.bellmawrlake.net

Swimming Lakes in Cape May County NJ

Lake Nummy

Belleplain State Forest
1 Henkinsifkin Road
Woodbine NJ

Located just a short drive from Jersey shore resort towns like Sea Isle City, Avalon, and Strathmere is Belleplain State Forest’s beautiful Lake Nummy. Swimming is permitted on the north side of the lake between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Amenities at this New Jersey swimming lake include changing areas, restrooms, a concession stand, and picnic areas with charcoal grills.

Swimming Lakes in Ocean County NJ

Lake Absegami

Bass River State Forest
762 Stage Road
Tuckerton NJ

Lake Absegami in Bass River State Forest allows swimming when lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day. This NJ swimming lake features a changing area, restrooms, showers, a concession building, and a picnic area with grills. Canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats are available for rental through a private concession.

Swimming Lakes in Salem County NJ

Parvin Lake

Parvin State Park
701 Almond Road
Elmer NJ

Parvin Lake allows swimming between Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. This NJ swimming lake features showers, a changing area, restrooms, and a concession stand. Canoe and kayak rentals are offered. There are also several picnic areas throughout the Parvin State Park with tables and charcoal grills.

Do you know of other swimming lakes in New Jersey?
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