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.

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.

Through the Carry-In/Carry-Out Program you can help us keep your parks clean and beautiful by carrying out the trash you carry in. Bags are provided at the park office and toll. Thank you for your cooperation and remember to recycle.

The facilities at Hopatcong State Park are partially accessible for persons with disabilities. Please contact the park office for further information regarding specific disability access needs. Text telephone (TT) users, call the New Jersey Relay Service at (800) 852-7899.

Park Open
Sunrise to Sunset from Tuesday after Labor Day to the Friday before Memorial Day Weekend.
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day.
Office Hours:
April to October open daily from 8-4
November to March open Monday through Friday from 8-4

Lake Hopatcong Commission Meeting Dates and Locations 2018

Update:The NJ State Park Service is refilling Lake Hopatcong as of Saturday, December 15, 2018

All Lake Hopatcong users, please be advised beginning September 22, 2018 or soon after, the NJ State Park Service will begin lowering the water level to achieve a 60-inch drawdown by November 1, 2018.  Anyone using the public launch at Hopatcong State Park or any public launch access points on the lake, may want to contact the public access points to get an update on conditions at the launch.

Entrance fees are charged per vehicle from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.  Please be advised that when we reach full capacity/run out of parking spaces, the park will temporarily close until enough people leave and it is safe to re-open.  Park Pass and Boat Pass holders are not guaranteed entry when the park reaches full capacity and is temporarily closed.  We recommend that you arrive early on warm weather weekends in June, July and August.

Hopatcong State Park Weed Harvesting Program 2018

Per the Water Level management plan we will begin the annual drawdown of Lake Hopatcong on December 7, 2016. This year we will drop the lake to 22 inches as part of a pilot project effort to assist in lake refill in the Spring.  Also note that after reaching 22 inches, due to the drought warning that we are in, that the outflow will be reduced from 12 c.f.s to 8 c.f.s. As always, State Park personnel will carefully monitor this drawdown.

Lake Hopatcong Water Level Management NJDEP Proposal

LAKE HOPATCONG DOCK SURVEY - In the Fall of 2014 Professor Lisa Jordan of Drew University and two of her students, Maxwell Dolphin and Daniel Ratyniak, completed a survey of all docks and associated parcels on Lake Hopatcong.  The survey includes such information as dock lengths, parcel lots and blocks, street address, property owner names, etc.  The survey was performed in conjunction with the State Park Service (SPS), and the Lake Hopatcong Foundation. 

The survey is important to the SPS in that it provides baseline data as SPS reviews dock construction permit applications, and for the current dock regulation committee, which is reviewing SPS regulation of dock lengths on the Lake.  Having this baseline data may also prove useful for future applications.

The full report, "A Summary of Docks on Lake Hopatcong", can be accessed at http://www.lakehopatcongfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/LHF-Boat-Dock-Inventory-December-2014.pdf  Full access to dock study results is available via website links found on page 11 of the study, though a review of the full report is very valuable.

The SPS thanks Dr. Jordan and her students for such a thorough study, as well as the Lake Hopatcong  Foundation for coordinating the effort.

Hopatcong State Park Area Map

Lake Hopatcong Water Level Management Plan

Fish and Wildlife Stream Classification

http://lakehopatcong.org/Pubs/WATER%20LEVEL%20MGT%20PLAN/CAC/Reports/Musconetcong%20River%20flow%20reconstruction%201-10.pdf

www.musconetcong.org

Bergen, Essex, Morris, Sussex, Warren Counties

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.

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.

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.

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Special Use Permit Application Package

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.

This park has been designated a NO HUNTING area.

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.

The park has two playgrounds for children along with six half-basketball courts and sand volleyball. In addition, there is a large playing field ideal for soccer, frisbee or just about any field activity.

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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.

• Fees charged at Hopatcong State Park beginning on April 1 through the Friday before Memorial Day weekend; and beginning the day after Labor Day through October 31.

Launch Ramp Permit Information Sheet

Swimming is permitted at Hopatcong State Park in the designated swimming area while lifeguards are on duty.  Please check our swimming schedule prior to your visit. 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. Only Coast Guard approved life jackets are permitted. Pets are prohibited on the beach.

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Bus Reservations are accepted Monday through Thursday, please forward your bus reservation application to the park office fax at 973-398-6521. Thank you.

Group Bus Reservation Rules and Regulations (pdf)
Group Bus Reservation Application Form (pdf)
Group Bus Manifest (pdf)

• Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum

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