Directions:
From the intersections of Interstate 78W and Route
31N, follow 31 north to the third traffic light
– Van Syckels Road. Turn left and continue
1.5 miles to the Park entrance which is on the
left.
Surrounded by the
rolling hills of Hunterdon County, Spruce Run Recreation Area
is popular with picnickers, swimmers, fishermen, boaters and
campers. The reservoir was one of the first water supply facilities
to be constructed and operated by the state and covers 1,290
acres with 15 miles of shoreline for recreation. Spruce Run
is the third largest reservoir in the state after Round Valley
and Wanaque reservoirs.
The Swim Area is closed for the 2021 season
Keep Your Recreation Area Clean
Through the Carry-In/Carry-Out Program you can help us keep the parks clean and beautiful by carrying out the trash you carry in. Please bring a biodegradable bag with you when visiting to take your trash home. Thank you for your cooperation and remember to recycle.
Park Advisory
Please be advised that there are ongoing confirmed Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) present at several locations at Spruce Run Recreation Area. Visit the HAB map to see the most current locations and alert level: https://njdep.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/49190166531d4e5a811c9a91e4a41677 At any location where a HAB is present, do not consume fish, and do not ingest water or allow your pet to ingest water. Additional recommendations may apply based on alert level.
Around other parts of the lake where HAB has not been confirmed, use caution, and steer clear of anything that looks like a HAB.
Park Hours:
November - February: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
April 1 through the Friday before Memorial Day Weekend: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Monday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Sat, Sun and Holidays park opens at 7 a.m.)
The Tuesday after Labor Day through September 30: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
October: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Highlands Trail extends over 150 miles from Storm King Mountain on the Hudson River in New York south to Riegelsville, New Jersey, on the Delaware River. A 2.6 mile section takes hikers through a maple forest, a pine forest and along the water’s edge through the park before exiting onto NJ Fish and Wildlife property.
Warren Highlands Trail
Spruce Run Recreation Area administers park properties in several Warren County townships such as Harmony Township and Lopatcong Township. These properties include a blend of forests and leased farm fields, many of which are open to through-hiking on the Warren Highlands Trail and to hunting unless posted otherwise. All hunters must adhere to the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife rules and regulations.
The Warren Highlands Trail is a branch of the Highlands Trail that begins in Allamuchy State Park and ends at the bridge between Phillipsburg and Easton, PA. A 15 mile-long section of the Warren Highlands Trail (WHT) passes through a network of State, County, Township, and Non-profit Park properties; beginning at the intersection of Fiddler's Elbow / Harmony Brass Castle Road and ending within Marble Hill Nature Preserve. Hikers are encouraged to print-out their own copy of the WHT map, linked below. Please stay on the trail to preserve the health of the forest ecosystem and to limit damage to the farmer's crops.
Alcohol is prohibited. Pets are prohibited in overnight facilities.
A non-refundable service fee of $5.00 will be charged to the customer for each reservation.
Changes to the reservation that occur prior to the Start/Check in date will incur a non refundable fee of $5.00.
Changes made after the start/check-in date will be chargerd a service fee according to the following:
If the total fee is greater then or equal to $50.00 then a fee of $5.00 will be charged.
If the total fee is less then $50.00 then the fee of $2.00 will be charged.
Campsites: 67 tent and trailer sites with picnic
tables and fire rings. Flush toilets and showers are within
walking distance. Open April 1 through October 31. New Jersey Residents: $20 per night;
Non-Residents: $25 per night.
Our campground is open from April
1st through October 31st for family camping—no group
sites are available. Each site is equipped with a picnic table
and fire ring with attached grill. Modern restrooms with showers
are located on either side of the campground. Reservations
or walk-ins are accepted. Pets and alcoholic beverages are
prohibited.
Campground Map (High resolution for printing purposes)
File
Size:2,209 KB
Shelters: Three shelters. Cabin-like structures with wood stove for heat and two double-deck bunks, which sleep up to four people. Sites include a fire ring and picnic table. Open April 1 through October 31. New Jersey Residents:
$48 per night;
Non-Residents: $60 per night.
A Special Use Permit is utilized to accommodate a specific activity or event being conducted over a short duration. There are two types of special use permits: Non-Commercial and Commercial and fees are based on NJ residency and Non-residents. A completed application must be submitted to the park/forest area where the activity or event is being held at least 90 days prior to the event. If the special use or event is extremely large or complex, at least one-year’s prior notice is recommended.
Fishing
Twenty-nine species of fish are contained
within the waters of Spruce Run including largemouth bass,
catfish, sunfish, yellow perch and carp. Trout, northern pike
and hybrid bass are stocked by the NJ
Division of Fish and Wildlife. For fishing regulations
please refer to the NJ Fish and Wildlife Digest.
Bow Hunting is permitted in Spruce Run Recreation Area Monday through Saturdays in designated areas only. Please contact the park office for maps and information.
Spruce Run offers a variety of waterfowl and deer hunting (Bow only) seasonally. The Clinton Wildlife
Management Area is adjacent to the recreation area and is
open for public hunting. Maps and information may be obtained by visiting the Division of Fish and Wildlife Hunting website.
Interpretive Programs
The Park staff offer a variety of historical and natural interpretive programs seasonally. Contact the park office for a schedule of programs and to register. Program fees may apply.
Four picnic areas are spread throughout the wooded and open spaces overlooking the reservoir. Facilities include picnic tables, charcoal grills and restrooms, all first come, first-served. Larger groups may inquire at the Park Office regarding the reservable Group Picnic Area. This space can accommodate groups of up to 200 visitors, has a covered pavilion, large charcoal grills, playground, parking and restroom facilities. This may be reserved for a fee:
New Jersey Resident $100
per day, plus applicable parking fees.
Non-Resident $150
per day, plus applicable parking fees.
Memorial Day weekend
through Labor Day:
New Jersey Resident $125
per day.
Non-Resident $175
per day.
Day After Labor Day
to Friday Before Memorial Day:
50 percent of Fee
Group Picnic Cancellation
Fee:
• Groups of 20 or more people shall
reserve picnic facilities at least five days in advance. Such
group use is not permitted on Holidays except as authorized
by the Superintendent. Reservations for picnic areas are handled
by the individual park area offices.
Reservations can be made over the telephone using a credit card, or by mail using the Group Picnic Reservation form* downloadable here. Payment in full of the appropriate group picnicking fee must accompany this application.
*To view this form, please download the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat
Motor boating (electric and gas—10hp
limit), sailing (25 feet in length and 30 feet above the water
line height limit), canoe/kayaking, windsurfing. Trailer launch
ramp and cartop launch area.
For your boating convience Spruce Run Recreation Area offers dry storage spots. For more infomation please read the Boat storage selection Procedures and Regulations
*To view this form, please download the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat
Boat Storage
(Dry)
Summer Season (April
1 - October 31)
Single Boat Trailer
New Jersey Resident $250.00.
Non-Resident $295.00.
Double Boat Trailer
New Jersey Resident $325.00.
Non-Resident $370.00.
Winter Season (November
1 - March 31)
Single Boat Trailer
New Jersey Resident $200.00.
Non-Resident $240.00.
Double Boat Trailer
New Jersey Resident $260.00.
Non-Resident $320.00.
Also visit Round Valley
Recreation Area’s website for information on similar
(except rentals) boating activities as well as scuba/skin
diving.
Swimming
Closed for 2021 Swimming season.
Swimming is permitted in the designated swimming area while lifeguards are on duty. Please check our swimming schedule prior to your visit. Visitors will find a beach complex
containing changing areas, 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 Coast Guard approved life jackets are permitted. Pets are prohibited on the beach. Grilling is prohibited along the beachfront
including the posted grassy area. There is a playground and
open fields to accommodate various ball and net games.
Many special events take place at Spruce
Run. These include walk-a-thons, sailing regattas, watershed
clean-up days, triathlons, and weddings.
Winter
Sports
During the winter months, many visitors cross-country
ski, ice fish, and ice boat at the recreation area. You may
contact the recreation office for snow conditions
or visit the local weather channel site at: http://www.weather.com/weather/local/08809.
The park is open year round. From Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, operating hours are Monday through Friday from 8 am to 8 pm, and weekends or holidays from 7 am to 8 pm. In the off-season, call for times.
Are pets allowed?
Yes, on a leash no longer than 6
feet. Not in campgrounds or on beach.
Are alcoholic beverages
permitted?
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted
in any of New Jersey’s State Parks.
I go to the Park a lot during the summer,
can I get a discount?
There is a season
pass available for unlimited access to all of New
Jersey’s State Parks. You may purchase a decal for
your vehicle or if you are a New Jersey resident who is
62 or older, you may acquire a free senior citizen pass.
We would like to have
a family reunion at the Park. Can you accommodate us?
Spruce Run (as well as several other
State parks) offers a Group Picnic Area which is available
for a fee. Call for specific information.
Are there hook-ups for R/Vs?
Spruce Run has 7 campsites with water and electric (30/50) hook-ups. They are sites 1-4 and 55-57. Presently, there are no other hook-ups available at any other New Jersey State Campground. There is also a sanitary dump station available at Spruce Run for our registered campers.
Is swimming permitted
when lifeguards are off duty?
For the safety and security of our
visitors, Parks that offer swimming must comply with regulations
requiring such activities to take place only while the
guards are on
duty.
Can we rent boats?
There is a private concessionaire
who rents canoes/kayaks, rowboats, motor boats, and pontoon
(patio) boats. Rentals are seasonal and weather permitting.
Call for
current phone number.
