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The lakes in Sussex County NJ range from New Jersey’s largest lake, which the county shares with Morris County, to spring fed state park lakes on the Kittatinny ridge and private lake communities in Sparta, Vernon and Frankford. If you want to swim, paddle or fish, the public state park lakes are where to go: Swartswood Lake, Lake Marcia, Wawayanda Lake and Cranberry Lake all have public access, and Lake Hopatcong and Lake Musconetcong have public launches.
Several of the county’s best known lakes, including Lake Mohawk, Culver Lake and Highland Lakes, are private and reserved for members of their lake communities. Below, our team lists 11 lakes with the town, whether the public can use it and what visitors can do, based only on official state, town and lake association sources.
Public or private: the quick list
- Public (state park or state access): Swartswood Lake, Lake Marcia, Stony Lake, Wawayanda Lake, Lake Aeroflex, Cranberry Lake, Lake Musconetcong, Lake Hopatcong (public launches)
- Private lake communities: Lake Mohawk, Culver Lake, Highland Lakes
Public lakes in Sussex County
Swartswood Lake (Stillwater)
Swartswood Lake is the centerpiece of Swartswood State Park, New Jersey’s first state park. The 519 acre natural glacial lake, plus 75 acre Little Swartswood Lake, both have boat launches. Canoeing, kayaking, sailing and pedal boating are allowed, but only electric motors are permitted. Swimming is allowed only at the guarded beach when lifeguards are on duty in summer, and both lakes are open to fishing, including ice fishing in winter when conditions allow. The park lists a healthy bald eagle population, so watch the sky over the water.
Lake Marcia (High Point State Park)
Lake Marcia is a 20 acre spring fed natural lake near the top of High Point State Park, off Route 23 in the county’s northwest corner. It is the park’s swimming lake, with a lifeguarded beach and a seasonal bathhouse open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Boating is a different story: the state’s park listing names Sawmill Lake (20 acres) and Steenykill Lake (36.6 acres) as the park’s two boating locations, with electric motors only and no boat rentals, so leave the kayak for those lakes. A New Jersey fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older. Fall is a great time for a walk along the shoreline, and our High Point fall foliage guide has more.
Stony Lake (Stokes State Forest)
Stony Lake is a popular day use area in Stokes State Forest, with picnicking and a horseshoe pit, and its parking area is a common starting point for hikes into the forest’s 33 plus miles of marked trails, including the climb to the Culver Fire Tower. Per the state’s current listing, boating is permitted at Stony Lake and Lake Ocquittunk, but swimming is not permitted in any of the lakes at Stokes.
Wawayanda Lake (Vernon)
Wawayanda Lake sits in Wawayanda State Park, which spans Sussex County (Vernon Township) and Passaic County (West Milford). The NJDEP lake area map shows a swimming area and beach, a boat launch with a seasonal canoe rental concession, fishing access, picnic areas, a playground and restrooms. NJDEP sets the guarded swim schedule each year, so check before a summer beach day. The stone stack of the historic Wawayanda Furnace stands in the lake area.
Lake Aeroflex (Kittatinny Valley State Park, Andover Township)
Lake Aeroflex is the signature lake of Kittatinny Valley State Park, with the park office and Visitor Center on Goodale Road (Newton mailing address, phone 973-786-6445). The Andover Township recreation page lists fishing and boating at the park, with no gasoline motors allowed, which makes it a quiet lake for kayaks and canoes. The 2.6 mile Glacial Trail and 1.6 mile Explorer Trail both follow the shoreline.
Cranberry Lake (Byram)
Cranberry Lake sits along Route 206 in Byram, on the northern edge of Allamuchy Mountain State Park. The NJDEP park brochure lists a boat launch and dock that can accommodate people with disabilities, a public boat ramp and overflow trailer parking. Private boat rentals operate at the lake in summer only, dawn to dusk. Anglers will find largemouth bass, sunfish, catfish, perch and pickerel, and ice fishing in winter. Byram Township also notes the public dock and boat launch.
Lake Musconetcong (Stanhope and Netcong)
Lake Musconetcong covers about 329 acres on the Sussex and Morris county line, touching Stanhope, Netcong, Byram and Roxbury, per NJ Fish and Wildlife’s lake management plan. It is part of Hopatcong State Park. The lake is shallow, with a maximum depth of about 8 feet, so it suits kayaks and canoes, and the public boat ramp is near the dam on the southwest side. Make a day of it with lunch from our guide to the best restaurants in Stanhope.
Lake Hopatcong (Hopatcong, shared with Morris County)
Lake Hopatcong is New Jersey’s largest lake, and it is shared between two counties: the Borough of Hopatcong is in Sussex County, while Jefferson Township, Roxbury Township and Mount Arlington are in Morris County. On the Sussex side, the Lake Hopatcong Foundation’s Inlets and Aisles water trail map lists the Roland-May Eves Mountain Inlet Sanctuary on Lakeside Avenue in Hopatcong as a public kayak launch with no entrance or launch fees, limited parking and no restrooms. The state boat launch at Hopatcong State Park is in Landing, Roxbury Township, on the Morris County side. Most of the shoreline is private, so land only at public sites. For food near the water, see where to eat in Hopatcong.
Private lakes in Sussex County
Lake Mohawk (Sparta)
Lake Mohawk is a private lake community, mostly in Sparta Township. The lake, its beaches and docks are reserved for members of the community through the Lake Mohawk Country Club, and there is no public swimming or boating. Visitors can still enjoy White Deer Plaza, with its Tudor style storefronts along the boardwalk, and its shops and restaurants. See our guide to where to eat and drink in Sparta and Lake Mohawk.
Culver Lake (Frankford)
Culver Lake, also written Culver’s Lake, is a private lake community in Frankford Township run by the Normanoch Association. The association’s website describes it as a private lake community of about 555 acres at 830 feet above sea level, with boating and lake rules handled for members. You can see the lake from Route 206 near Culvers Gap, where the steep Acropolis Trail climbs into Stokes State Forest from across the road.
Highland Lakes (Vernon)
Highland Lakes is a private lake community in Vernon Township with several lakes and beaches managed by the Highland Lakes Country Club and Community Association for its members. Our team could not open an official association page, so we are not listing any guest rules here. If you are interested, contact the association directly.
Know before you go
- Swim only where guarded: state park swimming is limited to designated beaches during lifeguard hours, typically Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
- Motors: Swartswood and High Point allow electric motors only, and Lake Aeroflex allows no gasoline motors.
- Fishing licenses: New Jersey requires a fishing license for anglers 16 and older.
- Fees: state parks charge seasonal day use fees in summer. Check current rates with NJ State Parks before you go.
- Private means private: do not launch, swim or park at private lake community beaches unless you are a member or guest.
- Ice: ice fishing is allowed at some lakes in winter when conditions allow. Never go out on ice you have not confirmed is safe.
Heading out this weekend? Our things to do this weekend roundup is updated every week.
Planning more time in the Skylands? See our guides to Swartswood State Park, Wawayanda State Park and Lake Mohawk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest lake in Sussex County NJ?
Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey’s largest lake, is partly in Sussex County through the Borough of Hopatcong, with the rest in Morris County. Among lakes entirely in Sussex County, Culver Lake is about 555 acres and Swartswood Lake is 519 acres.
Can you swim in lakes in Sussex County?
Yes, at guarded state park beaches in summer, including Swartswood Lake, Lake Marcia at High Point and Wawayanda Lake. Swimming is prohibited in all lakes at Stokes State Forest.
Is Lake Mohawk open to the public?
No. The lake is private and reserved for members of the Lake Mohawk community. The public can visit White Deer Plaza and its businesses.
Where can I kayak in Sussex County?
Swartswood Lake, Sawmill and Steenykill lakes at High Point, Stony Lake, Wawayanda Lake, Lake Aeroflex, Cranberry Lake, Lake Musconetcong and the Mountain Inlet launch on Lake Hopatcong are all good options.
Can you boat on Lake Marcia?
The state lists boating at High Point only on Sawmill Lake and Steenykill Lake, with electric motors only. Lake Marcia is the park’s swimming lake.
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Primary sources for this guide: Swartswood State Park on NJ Outdoors, NJDEP Swartswood trail guide, High Point State Park on NJ Outdoors, Stokes State Forest on NJ Outdoors, NJDEP Wawayanda brochure, NJDEP Wawayanda Lake area map, NJDEP Kittatinny Valley trail guide, Andover Township recreation, NJDEP Allamuchy Mountain State Park brochure, Byram Township, NJ Fish and Wildlife Lake Musconetcong plan, Lake Hopatcong Foundation water trails and the Normanoch Association.
Featured photo: Lake Hopatcong. Photo by Ken Lund via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.
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