Department of Environmental Protection

New Jersey State Park Service

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Swimming Schedule

New Jersey's state parks, forests and recreation areas open their lakes and beaches for swimming, offering a refreshing way to cool off this summer.

Swimming is only permitted when lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in our lakes and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Island Beach State Park.

2024 Swim Schedule

Atsion Recreation Area (Wharton State Forest)
Closed for the season

Bass River State Forest
Closed for the season

Belleplain State Forest
Closed for the season

Cheesequake State Park
Closed for the season

High Point State Park
Closed for the season

Hopatcong State Park
Closed for the season

Island Beach State Park
Closed for the season

Parvin State Park
Closed for the season.

Round Valley Recreation Area
Closed for the season

Swartswood State Park
Closed for the season

Wawayanda State Park
Closed for the season

Swimming Closed for the 2024 Season

  • Spruce Run Recreation Area
Park Operating Status Map

The park operating status map shows real time open, closed, or closed - filled to capacity status of parks, forests, historic sites, and recreation areas. Park status is determined by day use area capacity.

Plan Ahead for "Filled To Capacity" Park Closures

The New Jersey State Park system serves a very high volume of visitors during summer weekends and holidays. To ensure the safety of our visitors and protection of the park’s natural resources and facilities, our park areas have a limited capacity.

During periods of high visitation, when a park's capacity is reached, the park will be closed and traffic will be turned away from the park entrance. When that occurs, no additional vehicles / visitors will be allowed to enter the park, including those with members of their party who may already be in the park. If you are not traveling in the same vehicle with others in your party, we suggest that you all arrive at the same time.

When the park is closed because it is filled to capacity, only individuals and groups with shelter and/or camping reservations will be admitted, as parking is reserved for those purposes.

Based on recent experience and visitation trends, and depending on good weather, most of our State park swimming areas will likely fill to capacity and close on Memorial Day and Fourth of July holiday weekends, and other weekends during the summer. Please take this into consideration when planning your trip.