Hopatcong State Park, a New Jersey State Park located near Basking Ridge, Berkeley Heights and Boonton

HOPATCONG STATE PARK

HOPATCONG STATE PARK
260 Lakeside Boulevard
Roxbury Township, New Jersey 07850

(lat:40.9159 lon:-74.6635)

Nine miles in length and covered by 2,500 acres of freshwater, Lake Hopatcong is the focal point of the park. Hopatcong State Park is at the southwest end of the lake and is a popular spot for fishing, boating, and swimming.

History of the Area

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, over 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 locktender?s house and offers exhibits on local American Indian history, the Morris Canal and the history of the lake.

Nearby Accommodations

Whistling Swan Inn - Stanhope, NJ

BBs / Inns

Nestled in the beautiful Skylands Region of New Jersey, the house now known as The Whistling Swan Inn was built in 1905 by Justice of the Peace, Daniel Best, for his wife, Sarah. Come visit Northwest NJ's finest Victorian Inn Voted Top Ten BB in US by Inn Traveler Magazine

WEBSITE |

DIRECTIONS

2.2 miles from park*

Wooden Duck Bed Breakfast - Newton, NJ

BBs / Inns

A brick patio in ground swimming pool invite guests to step outdoors and enjoy their picturesque surroundings and provide a lovely spot for seasonal breakfasting, sunbathing or just plain relaxing

WEBSITE |

DIRECTIONS

8.4 miles from park*

Swimming

Swimming is permitted at Hopatcong State Park from Memorial Day through Labor Day 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. Grilling is limited to the picnic areas only. Grills are not permitted on the lawn areas. There are two sand volleyball courts and a playground near the beachfront. For safety reasons, inner tubes, rafts and other flotation devices are not permitted in the bathing area.

Boating

Lake Hopatcong provides an excellent opportunity for any type of boating, ranging from canoes to large motor boats, sailboats, sailboards and jet skis. Boats are available for rent at many private marinas around the lake. Boating is subject to New Jersey Boating Regulations and Marine Law.

There is a boat ramp available at Hopatcong State Park. Boating is open seven days a week depending on parking availability.

There is a boat ramp with parking available at Lake Musconetcong. This site is open from sunrise to sunset seven days a week.

$10.00/launch - Daily$55.00 - Annual

* Fees charged at Hopatcong State Park on Saturdays and Sundays only, from April 1 through the Sunday before Memorial Day; and from the first Saturday after Labor Day through October 31.

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. During the winter months, both lakes provide excellent ice fishing for perch and pickerel. Fishing is subject to New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife regulations.

This park has been designated a NO HUNTING area.

Location

Hopatcong State Park is located near Basking Ridge, Berkeley Heights and Boonton

Nearby Parks

Musconetcong State Park

Allamuchy Mountain State Park

Cranberry State Park

Kittatinny Valley State Park

Stephens State Park

Hacklebarney State Park

Jenny Jump State Forest

Morristown National Historical Park

Fort Nonsense Historical National Park

Farny State Park

Picnicking

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. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

Area Attractions

The Morris Canal:

Completed in 1837, the Morris Canal was an engineering landmark 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.

Lake Musconetcong:

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.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews

July 13 is one of the best parks in nj

is very cleam they have good security is my favorite park and for all my family

August 23 lifetime visitor

Im 21 and ive been coming here all my life with family, my dad is 43 and hes been coming all his life as well. Park is clean, decent all around park..gets crowded on weekends (come early) to even get in.. no alcohol so theres never jerks or anything like that to worry about. We fish and boat alot as well and we never go home without fish. never.

July 21 Best Park so far! by Yenny

I visited this park yesterday and I absolutely loved it! It has the playground for my small daughter, the basketball courts for my brothers, the volleyball court by the water, and the park is very organized and clean. I am already recommending it to everyone I know. Now I know where to go in the summer!