Department of Environmental Protection

New Jersey State Park Service

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PARK ADVISORY: Cranberry Lake State Park 

A 4ft drawdown of Cranberry Lake will begin on Monday, Oct. 9 consistent with the recommendations in the Cranberry Lake Water Level Management Plan . The lake is expected to reach its lowest point by Nov. 1, and will remain at this level until March 1, 2024. Refilling of the lake is expected to begin around March 1, 2024, however may be delayed depending on weather conditions.

The Cranberry Lake Water Level Management Plan was drafted by the Cranberry Lake Water Level Management Plan Citizen Advisory Committee which first met in April 2022 and submitted a final plan in July 2023. The committee is made up of DEP staff and members of the Cranberry Lake community.

SWIMMING ADVISORY: Hopatcong State Park is closed for the season.

Swimming is only permitted on State Park Service property in designated areas when lifeguards are on duty. Visit the swimming schedule page of our website to stay up to date on when lifeguards will be on duty during the 2023 season.

Hopatcong State Park Overview

Nine miles in length and 2,500 acres of freshwater, Lake Hopatcong offers outdoor enthusiasts many recreational opportunities.

Lake Hopatcong is the largest lake in New Jersey and the most striking feature of Hopatcong State Park. Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, a large picnic area with grills, boat launch access onto Lake Hopatcong, volleyball and basketball courts, soccer field and playground equipment.

Lake Hopatcong was originally created as part of the Morris Canal, a 90-mile waterway that ran from Newark to Phillipsburg and was the chief means of transporting coal, iron and zinc across New Jersey in the 1860s. The lake was the canal’s major source of water. In 1866, more than 880,000 tons of freight was transported on the canal.
However, as the more efficient Morris and Essex Railroad was established, the canal was abandoned. The historical museum is located in the old Morris Canal lock tender’s house and offers exhibits on local American-Indian history, the Morris Canal and the history of the lake.

Completed in 1837, the Morris Canal was an engineered waterway that relied on canals, locks and inclined planes to lift and carry canal boats from Phillipsburg on the Delaware River to Jersey City, the Hudson River and New York Harbor. The boats transported coal, iron ore, manufactured goods and agricultural produce. Sections of the canal are administered by Hopatcong State Park.

During the mid-1800s, the Morris Canal and Banking Company created Lake Musconetcong as an additional water source for the Morris Canal. This lake, which is located four miles west of Lake Hopatcong, was deeded over to the State of New Jersey with the other parts of the Morris Canal System in 1924. Today boating, fishing and ice fishing are popular recreational activities on this lake.

Swimming is permitted at Hopatcong State Park during the summer while lifeguards are on duty. There is a bathhouse complex containing restrooms, showers, changing areas, a first-aid room and concession where food and beach supplies are available for purchase.

Note: Only Coast Guard approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD) life jackets are permitted.

Lake Hopatcong provides an excellent opportunity for any type of boating, ranging from canoes to large motorboats, sailboats, sailboards and jet skis. Boats are available for rent at many private marinas around the lake. There is no boat rental available inside the park.

Boat ramp available at Hopatcong State Park and at Lake Musconetcong, open daily.

Ice Boating / Ice Sailing
Lake Hopatcong provides an excellent opportunity for ice boating during the winter months. Boats are available for rent at many private marinas around the lake.

Biking
This facility offers areas for visitors wishing to go biking.

Fishing
Both Lake Hopatcong and Lake Musconetcong offer excellent year-round fishing. During the spring the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife stocks both lakes with brown, rainbow and brook trout. Warm water species commonly caught are large-mouth bass, sunfish, catfish, perch and pickerel. 

Hiking
This facility offers some opportunity for hiking near the visitor center and picnic area.

Fishing
Both Lake Hopatcong and Lake Musconetcong offer excellent year-round fishing. During the spring the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife stocks both lakes with brown, rainbow and brook trout. Warm water species commonly caught are large-mouth bass, sunfish, catfish, perch and pickerel. 

Ice Fishing
During the winter months, Lake Hopatcong and Lake Musconetcong provide excellent ice fishing for perch and pickerel.

Spring Night Fishing
Night fishing is permitted at Hopatcong State Park from March 15th until the Friday before Memorial Day from sunset until Midnight. 

  • Night fishing is permitted on the sandy area of the beach from March 15th through the 2nd Friday in May. 
  • The Saturday following the 2nd Friday in May through the Friday before Memorial Day, fishing is NOT permitted on the sandy area of the beach. During this time, night fishing is only permitted outside of the rock jetties. 
  • Night fishing is not permitted after the Friday before Memorial Day.  

Current NJ fishing license is required for anglers between 16 and 69 years of age.  
No boats are allowed for night fishing. Shoreline fishing only.  

Only anglers who will be actively engaged in fishing can drive around the entrance gate and park in a designated parking spot. Rods may not be left unattended.  

It is important that all fishing hooks and lures be removed from the beach after each visit for public safety. 

For more information, please call the park office.  

The park has several picnic areas along the hill overlooking the parking lot. At each picnic area, visitors will find grills and tables. There is a small picnic shelter and playground located on the hill.

Hopatcong State Park is first come first serve. It is recommended that your whole group arrives at the same time. If the park fills to capacity there is no guarantee that members of your group that show up late will be admitted.

Drop offs are not permitted on weekends and Holidays between Memorial Day weekend through Labor day. This includes Uber and Lyft. The vehicle needs to stay in the park with patrons. 

Playground
The park has two playgrounds for children.

Sledding
Sledding is allowed in the park during the winter months.

Sports
A large playing field is available for soccer and other field activities. One full-size court and two half-courts are available for basketball as well.

Museum
The historical museum is located in the old Morris Canal locktender’s house and offers exhibits on local American Indian history, the Morris Canal and the history of the lake.

https://lakehopatconghistory.com/

A NJ State Park Service Special Use Permit is required for various types of short-duration, organized activities and/or events within a state park, forest and/or historic site. Examples of organized activities and/or special events include, but are not limited to press events, commercial photography and/or filming, corporate events, fundraisers, festivals, demonstrations, walkathons and races, concerts, Televised events and/or commercial use of or on State Park Service lands and/or waters. 

To learn more about Special use Permits click here.

Access for Persons with Disabilities
The facilities at Hopatcong State Park are partially accessible for persons with disabilities. Please contact the park office for further information regarding specific disability access needs. Text telephone (TTY) users, call the NJ Relay & CapTel Service at 711 or 1-800-852-7897 for English or 1-866-658-7714 for Spanish.

All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
Recreational use of ATVs is not permitted on NJ State Park Service property. This includes state parks, forests, recreation areas, golf courses, marinas, natural areas, historic sites, and preserves. Thank you for your help in protecting New Jersey’s natural and historic resources. [N.J.A.C. 7:2-3.4(d)]

Smoking
State law prohibits the smoking of tobacco and use of electronic smoking (vaping) devices in all state parks, forests, historic sites, recreation areas, golf courses and marinas. [N.J.P.L.2005, c.383 (C.26:3D-56)]

Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in state parks, forests, recreation areas, golf courses, marinas, natural areas, historic sites, and preserves. [ N.J.A.C. 7:2-2.6 ]

Keep Your Park Clean and Green
Protect plants and animals and care for your parks by taking your trash with you. Whatever you carry into the park, plan on carrying it out too. It’s like crowdsourcing trash management! Bring a bag or two for trash, recycling and cleaning up after your pet. There are no trash receptacles in this park. Thank you!

Swimming
Swimming is permitted, while lifeguards are on duty, from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. The beach area includes changing rooms, restrooms, showers, a first-aid station and a concession building where food and beach supplies may be purchased. Inner tubes, rafts and other flotation devices are not permitted in the swimming area. Only U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets are allowed.

Pets
Pets must always be on a leash no longer than six feet in length and under the control of the owner. Please clean up after your pets.

Tick Protection
Use insect repellent, wear light-colored clothing, tuck pants into socks, stay on trails, check yourself when you get home, shower and wash clothes immediately.

Be Bear Aware
Black bears are found throughout New Jersey. Do not approach or attract bears by making food available. Feeding bears is dangerous and illegal. Never run from a bear! To report an aggressive bear, call 1-877-WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337) immediately. Please report any damage or nuisance behavior to the park office. Visit the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife at www.njfishandwildlife.com for additional information on bear safety.

Related Links

Allamuchy Mountain State Park
Stephens State Park
Grover Cleveland Birthplace
Lake Hopatcong Water Level Management Plan

 

Park Map

Area Map

General

Phone Number
973-398-7010

Mailing Address
PO Box 8519
Landing, NJ 07850-8519

Park Hours

Gate open daily sunrise to sunset
Boat Launch closes an hour before the gate
Park Office Open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Park Fees
Entrance Fee Free entry for the 2023 season.

Other Related Fees
Map / Directions

GPS Coordinates
40.91613, -74.66342