NJDEP | Wawayanda State Park | New Jersey State Park Service

SWIMMING ADVISORY:

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.

Auxiliary Entrance Gate The Auxiliary Entrance Gate in Barry Lakes is open from 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through October 31 on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays only.

Wawayanda State Park Overview

The quiet charm is what appeals to hikers, campers, swimmers and boaters.

Forested hills surround Lake Wawayanda creating a restful backdrop for canoeists, boaters and fisherman, while steep mountains challenge casual as well as serious hikers. A nineteen-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail runs through the park, while the top of Wawayanda Mountain offers sensational views. More than sixty miles of trails are marked in the park.

Trail Map

Biking
The varied terrain and natural features are conducive to biking. Most trails are multiuse.

Cross-Country Skiing
At an elevation of 1,140 feet above sea level, Wawayanda State Park receives great accumulations of snow in the winter months. A number of winter activities are permitted on designated trails and various areas within the park, including cross-country skiing.

Hiking
Wawayanda State Park consists of over 60 miles of well-marked trails in addition to a 19.6 mile section of the Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail follows the varied terrain of the park and is restricted to hiking only. The trails are not ADA accessible. The varied terrain and natural features offer equal opportunities for both the casual and experienced hikers.

Horseback Riding
Visitors must bring their own horse and equipment as no equestrian rental facilities exist in the park.

Mountain Biking
There are more than 60 miles of marked trails which are excellent for mountain biking.

Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is permitted along designated trails during the winter months.

Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is permitted on marked trails. Snowshoes are available for rent at the park office.

Trails
A 19.6-mile section of the Appalachian Trail follows the varied terrain of the park. The trail's designated use is restricted to hiking only for its entire length from Maine to Georgia. White blazes mark this narrow and sometimes very rocky trail. Along Wawayanda Mountain are outstanding views of the surrounding landscape.

General Guide to the trails at Wawayanda State Park

Open for Swimming Wednesday - Sunday 10:00 a.m. 5:30 p.m.

Swimming is only permitted during the summer months when lifeguards are on duty. The white sand beach and picturesque location provides a truly enjoyable freshwater experience. Adjacent to the beach visitors can access facilities with changing areas, restrooms, a first-aid station and a food concession 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 Personal Floatation Devices(PFD) are permitted.

Online reservations can be made at www.camping.nj.gov (link is external)

Group campsites:
The park has four group sites with picnic tables, fire rings and a composting restroom. These sites require a minimum of seven persons. Water is not available at campsites; it must be carried from the main office building. There are no shower facilities. Open April 1 to October 31.

Campsite 1 accommodates up to 15 people. 
Fee: NJ Resident $30 per night; Non Resident $60 per night. 

Campsite 2 accommodates up to 35 people. 
Fee: NJ Resident $70 per night; Non Resident $140 per night.

Campsite 3 accommodates up to 25 people. 
Fee: NJ Resident $50 per night; Non Resident $100 per night.

Campsite 4 accommodates up to 10 people.
Fee: NJ Resident $20 per night; Non Resident $40 per night.

 Firewood available for purchase at park office.

A boat rental facility and launching ramp are located near the beach and picnic areas. Privately owned water craft may be launched. Although sailboats and sailboards are permitted on the lake, there are no rentals available in the park. Each person must have on a wearable Coast Guard approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD).

Fishing
Many species of game fish can be found in Wawayanda Lake and smaller lakes in the park, offering anglers a choice of largemouth and smallmouth bass, perch, pickerel, brown and rainbow trout and the occasional lake trout.

In 2006, landlocked salmon were introduced to Wawayanda Lake. Only a handful of deep lakes in New Jersey have suitable year-round habitat for cold-water fish such as trout and salmon.

Fishing Tournaments of any size require a Special Use Permit. Please inquire with the park office to get a permit in place.

Hunting
Hunting is permitted in designated areas of the park. Deer, grouse, squirrel, turkey, rabbit, raccoon and woodchuck may be hunted with bow and arrow, shotgun and black powder firearms in their appropriate seasons.

View the Wawayanda State Park hunting map.

Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is permitted within designated areas.

The park’s Bearfort Mountain and Wawayanda Swamp Natural Area are key locations for observing the state endangered red-shouldered hawk, barred owl and great blue heron.

Picnic areas are located along the north shore of Wawayanda Lake surrounding the lake-oriented activities and are adjacent to the boat house and boat launch facility. Charcoal fires must be confined to the metal grills that are provided at the sites. Visitors may also bring their own grills, which are subject to the approval of a park official. Wood fires are not permitted.

The park provides playground equipment for children.

Bearfort Mountain Natural Area: (1,325 acres)
This area encompasses several forest communities including swamp hardwood, hemlock-mixed hardwood and chestnut oak forest communities. This is a key location for observing the state endangered red-shouldered hawk, with a 360-degree view of the surrounding northern highlands.

Wawayanda Hemlock Ravine Natural Area: (399 acres)
The topography of this ravine is one of high relief with 300-foot increases in elevation from Doublekill Creek to surrounding hills. The hemlock-mixed hardwood forest provides a cool shady break for hikers on the Appalachian Trail, which is located along the western boundary of the natural area.

Wawayanda Swamp Natural Area: (2,167 acres)
This natural area features an Atlantic white cedar swamp, mixed oak-hardwood forest and a glacially formed spring-fed lake and is habitat for the red-shouldered hawk, barred owl and great blue heron. Visitors may choose from several trails, including a scenic walk around Laurel Pond.

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 Wawayanda State Park recreational facilities are partially accessible for persons with disabilities. Please contact the park office at 973-853-4462 for further information regarding 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, outdoor 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. Pets are not permitted on the beach.

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.