Heaters Pond Park

Ogdensburg, New Jersey · on Heaters Pond · unknown

Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified

WATER: pond
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: $5 per person
SEASON: Best in summer

About Heaters Pond Park

Heaters Pond Park is a small municipal park in Ogdensburg, Sussex County, New Jersey, centered on Heaters Pond (also mapped as Heaters Pond Memorial Park). The borough operates this local swimming hole as an official lifeguarded swim beach with seasonal beach badges, alongside a pavilion, picnic area, and boat rentals.

The pond sits in Ogdensburg's former mining district in the New Jersey Highlands/Sussex County area; one first-hand video description characterizes the approach as running 'along the side of an old mountain mining road, far off the beaten path.' The water body is mapped in OpenStreetMap partly as a reservoir and partly as natural open water, straddling the Sparta Township/Ogdensburg line, consistent with a small dammed pond rather than a wild lake.

Swimming at Heaters Pond Park

Swimming is only allowed at Heaters Pond when lifeguards are on duty (daily noon to 6 PM), on a designated beach area within the pond. The Borough describes the beach as recently 'groomed' and reports that water quality is tested regularly with consistently good results. Free swim lessons for residents run for about two weeks starting July 1, and rowboats, canoes, and kayaks can be used with a permit obtained from lifeguards, indicating calm, swimmable, non-flowing water suited to families and casual swimmers rather than a swift river or open lake.

The walk in

No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a small, drive-up municipal park built around a designated pond swim beach (with pavilion, picnic tables, and grills) rather than a backcountry destination; no hike is required. An exact walk distance from the parking area to the water's edge could not be confirmed from available sources.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

Good for kids

Official municipal swim beach with two lifeguards on duty at all times during posted swim hours (daily 12-6 PM) and free swim lessons for residents starting each July 1, both strong signals for families. Caveat: swimming is only permitted while lifeguards are present (no unsupervised swimming), and a 2026 borough council discussion flagged a lifeguard-hiring shortage that put part of that season's swim schedule at risk, so confirm the beach is actively staffed before a visit. No specific info was found on entry slope, exact depth, or bottom type at the beach.

Hours

Swim beach open (lifeguarded) daily 12:00-6:00 PM during the summer season; general park/grounds hours not published.

On the water

CanoesKayaksRowboats

Restrictions: Canoe/kayak/rowboat use requires a permit obtained directly from the on-duty lifeguards; no mention of personal motorized boats, jet skis, electric-only rules, or a no-wake designation was found, and it is unclear whether visitors may bring their own boats or must use the borough's own craft.

This appears to be a borough-run loaner/permit system tied to the lifeguarded beach rather than an open-access boat launch; no rental pricing was published for the permit.

Heaters Pond Park: FAQ

Does Heaters Pond Park charge a fee?

Beach badge required to swim: $5 per person for the season, purchasable at Borough Hall or from lifeguards; badge sales are restricted to Ogdensburg residents.

Is Heaters Pond Park kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Heaters Pond Park?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Heaters Pond Park?

This appears to be a borough-run loaner/permit system tied to the lifeguarded beach rather than an open-access boat launch; no rental pricing was published for the permit.

When is the best time to visit Heaters Pond Park?

Summer swim season (lifeguards on duty, free swim lessons begin July 1); the borough hires seasonal lifeguards annually for this period.

What are the rules at Heaters Pond Park?

Swimming is permitted only when lifeguards are present (daily 12-6 PM); beach badges must be worn at all times in the swim area; boat/canoe/kayak use requires a permit from lifeguards; the pavilion must be reserved through the Borough Clerk. Local news coverage in 2026 indicated the swim season faced disruption risk due to a shortage of lifeguard applicants.

What water body is Heaters Pond Park on?

Heaters Pond Park is on Heaters Pond, a natural pond verified in USGS hydrography data.