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New Jersey
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New Jersey State Parks

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USA Parks
New Jersey
Skylands Region
Hopatcong State Park
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Hopatcong State Park © Tomwsulcer / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
View of grass, beach and lake at Lake Hopatcong State Park in New Jersey.
Hopatcong State Park © Tomwsulcer / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Dining area at Lake Hopatcong State Park, New Jersey.
Hopatcong State Park © Tomwsulcer / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Beach scene at Lake Hopatcong State Park in New Jersey.
Hopatcong State Park © Tomwsulcer / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
My sandcastle at Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey. Soon after this photo was taken, kids asked if they could trample it. I told them there was fun in building, and fun in wrecking, and I watched as they had fun demolishing it.
Hopatcong State Park © Tomwsulcer / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Self-photo of me and my sandcastles at Lake Hopatcong.
Hopatcong State Park © Tomwsulcer / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Red raspberries growing wild on a bush in the Lake Hopatcong State Park, in New Jersey.
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HOPATCONG STATE PARK
HOPATCONG STATE PARK
260 Lakeside Boulevard
Roxbury Township, New Jersey   07850
(lat:40.9159 lon:-74.6635) map location

Phone: 973-398-7010
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
businesss listing main photo
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
2.2 miles from park*
businesss listing main photo
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
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.



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
park review stars; one to five is very cleam they have good security is my favorite park and for all my family
August 23 lifetime visitor
park review stars; one to five 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
park review stars; one to five 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!
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Area Campgrounds
Fla-Net RV Park
20 Flanders Netcong Road
Flanders, NJ
973-347-4467
Panther Lake Camping Resort
6 Panther Lake Road
Andover, NJ
Goodland Country Club and Spa
Drakestown Road
Hackettstown, NJ
908-850-1300
Windy Acres Campground
294 Newton-Swarstwood Road
Hampton, NJ
973-897-8695
Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
995 Weldon Road
Lake Hopatcong, NJ
973-663-0200
Green Valley Beach Campground
68 Phillips Road
Newton, NJ
973-383-4026
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
Take exit 28 from Route 80 or follow Route 183 in Netcong.

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New Jersey
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New Jersey State Parks

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