Hopatcong State Park
Landing, New Jersey · on Lake Hopatcong · Hopatcong State Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $6
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Hopatcong State Park
Hopatcong State Park is a New Jersey state park in Landing on the shore of Lake Hopatcong, the state's largest freshwater lake. For swimmers after a big lake to swim in, the park's swimming hole is a lifeguard-supervised beach with a bathhouse, alongside picnic areas, a boat launch, and hiking trails.
The park sits on the southern shore of Lake Hopatcong, a large glacially-formed lake with 45 miles of shoreline that was historically merged from two smaller lakes via dam construction to power an iron forge and feed the Morris Canal. The lake was a major resort destination from the 1880s through the Great Depression, with over 40 hotels at its peak around 1900, and today the surrounding shoreline is a mix of year-round residential communities and public recreation land.
Swimming at Hopatcong State Park
Swimming is confined to a designated, roped-off, lifeguard-supervised beach area with a sandy shoreline and bathhouse (restrooms, showers, changing areas, concession); the open main body of Lake Hopatcong is explicitly discouraged for swimming due to deep water and heavy motorboat traffic. The supervised beach is described as family-friendly and can get crowded on weekends.
How to get to this swimming hole
The park entrance and beach are at 260 Lakeside Blvd, Landing, NJ 07850, on the Lake Hopatcong shoreline.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up park beach: the swim area is reached by a short walk directly from the main parking lot past the picnic area to the bathhouse/beach. The park does have some informal hiking-adjacent walking near the visitor center and picnic grounds, but none of it is required to reach the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Swimming is confined to a roped-off, lifeguard-supervised beach with a sandy shoreline, separate from the open lake's deep water and boat traffic. Visitors report it is suitable for kids, though it can get crowded on weekends, so arrive early for beach space. Only staffed (and thus swimmable) Wed-Sun, 10am-5:30pm, Memorial Day-Labor Day.
Parking
Paid, Included in per-vehicle entrance fee (charged Memorial Day-Labor Day): NJ residents $6 weekday/$10 weekend, non-residents $10 weekday/$20 weekend, walk-ins/bicycles $3 flat, oversized vehicles (e.g. with boat trailers) double fee; free off-season.
Large lot at the main park entrance, first-come first-served; the park closes to new vehicles once the lot reaches capacity on busy days.
Restrooms
Yes
Bathhouse complex at the beach with restrooms, showers, changing areas, a first-aid room, and a concession stand.
Hours
Park gate open 8am-8pm daily. Swim beach lifeguard-staffed (and only then open for swimming) Wed-Sun, 10am-5:30pm, Memorial Day through Labor Day; swim area closed the rest of the year. Off-season entrance is free.
On the water
Restrictions: Permitted on the open lake and via the park's boat launch, but prohibited inside the roped-off designated swimming area at the beach; inner tubes and rafts are banned in the swim area regardless of craft type; only Coast Guard-approved PFDs allowed.
Lake Hopatcong is NJ's largest lake and sees heavy recreational boat and jet-ski traffic outside the swim buoys; the park operates its own boat launch (separate launch fee: $12 NJ resident / $20 out-of-state, April-October) in addition to private marinas around the lake.
Rentals nearby
Kayaks, paddleboards, hydro bikes, plus motorboat/pontoon/tiki-boat charters with driver
Prices: Watersports boat charter $250/hr (up to 8 adults, or 10 with kids); pontoon boats $500-$600 half day / $850-$1,200 full day (weekday-weekend); 32' Premier Sky Deck and 28' Tiki Boat $1,200 half day / $2,000 full day (weekdays only). Kayak/paddleboard/hydro bike rates not published online.
2 South Beach Rd, Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849 (on the lake, a few miles from Hopatcong State Park)
Kayaks, row boats, and patio (pontoon) boats
91 Mt. Arlington Blvd, Landing, NJ 07850, same town as Hopatcong State Park, closest of the marinas checked · Summer: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat-Sun/holidays 7am-6pm. Off-season hours vary, inquire directly.
Premium triple-pontoon boat charters only; explicitly does not rent jet skis, kayaks, or paddleboards
89 Brady Road, Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849
What regulars say
One visitor account notes that the state park beach draws heavy weekend crowds, so plan to arrive early to claim a spot on the sand, and that the open lake beyond the roped swim area should be avoided due to depth and heavy boat traffic.
Backstory
The Lenape name for the area, "hapakonoesson," is said to mean "stone water" or "stone over water." Two glacial lakes were merged via a dam in the 1800s to power an iron forge and supply the Morris Canal; Lake Hopatcong became New Jersey's largest lake and a major resort destination from the 1880s through the Great Depression. The park also contains a historical museum in a former Morris Canal lock tender's house.
Hopatcong State Park: FAQ
Does Hopatcong State Park charge a fee?
Entrance fee charged Memorial Day-Labor Day: NJ residents $6 weekday/$10 weekend per vehicle, non-residents $10 weekday/$20 weekend, walk-ins/bicycles $3 flat, oversized vehicles double fee. Free off-season (Labor Day-Memorial Day). Separate boat launch fee of $12 (NJ resident) / $20 (out-of-state), April-October.
Is Hopatcong State Park kid friendly?
Swimming is confined to a roped-off, lifeguard-supervised beach with a sandy shoreline, separate from the open lake's deep water and boat traffic. Visitors report it is suitable for kids, though it can get crowded on weekends, so arrive early for beach space. Only staffed (and thus swimmable) Wed-Sun, 10am-5:30pm, Memorial Day-Labor Day.
Do I need to hike to reach Hopatcong State Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Hopatcong State Park?
Large lot at the main park entrance, first-come first-served; the park closes to new vehicles once the lot reaches capacity on busy days.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Hopatcong State Park?
Lake Hopatcong is NJ's largest lake and sees heavy recreational boat and jet-ski traffic outside the swim buoys; the park operates its own boat launch (separate launch fee: $12 NJ resident / $20 out-of-state, April-October) in addition to private marinas around the lake.
When is the best time to visit Hopatcong State Park?
Summer, specifically Memorial Day through Labor Day when lifeguards are on duty (swim area closed the rest of the year).
What are the rules at Hopatcong State Park?
Swimming permitted only when lifeguards are on duty (Wed-Sun, 10am-5:30pm, Memorial Day-Labor Day); only Coast Guard-approved PFDs allowed, inner tubes and rafts prohibited; pets must be leashed and are not allowed on the beach or in the water; no alcohol; smoking/vaping prohibited statewide; fishing prohibited in swimming areas and from the dock; park gate hours 8am-8pm daily.
What water body is Hopatcong State Park on?
Hopatcong State Park is on Lake Hopatcong, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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