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Wawayanda State Park is one of the largest parks in New Jersey, more than 34,000 acres of forest, swamp, mountain ridges and lakes that straddle the Sussex and Passaic county line, with the Sussex side in Vernon Township and the Passaic side in West Milford. For most visitors the heart of the park is Wawayanda Lake, with its summer beach, boat launch and canoe rentals, plus the ruins of a 19th-century iron furnace nearby.
The park office is at 885 Warwick Turnpike, Hewitt, NJ 07421, phone (973) 853-4462, per the NJDEP park brochure. The main entrance is off Warwick Turnpike about two miles north of Upper Greenwood Lake, according to the NY-NJ Trail Conference. Below is what to know about the lake, the trails, Terrace Pond, camping and fees before you go.
Wawayanda Lake: beach, boating and fishing
Wawayanda Lake is about 1.5 miles long, covers 255 acres and has 5.5 miles of wooded shoreline, per the Trail Conference. The NJDEP Wawayanda Lake area map shows what is at the day use area:
- A swimming area and beach
- A boat launch, with canoeing and a canoe rental concession
- Fishing access
- Picnic areas, a playground, drinking water and restrooms
- A visitor contact station, first aid and the park office
- Accessible facilities
Swimming is a summer activity at Wawayanda, and NJDEP sets the guarded swim schedule each year. Check the official park page or call the office before planning a beach day, since swim dates, hours and concession availability change season to season. Paddling, fishing and shoreline walks are popular well into fall, when the hills around the lake turn color.
The Wawayanda iron furnace
Within the Wawayanda Lake area stands the stone stack of the Wawayanda Furnace, marked as a historic iron furnace on the NJDEP lake area map. The Trail Conference describes it as a charcoal blast furnace that produced iron from the 1840s through the Civil War. The Wawayanda Mine, which fed this kind of operation, lies about 2.5 miles northeast of the furnace along the east side of Wawayanda Road near the New York border, with five openings or shafts. Please look but do not climb on the ruins.
Trails and natural areas
According to the NJDEP brochure, Wawayanda has more than 25 marked trails covering over 50 miles of varied terrain. Horses and bicycles must stay on designated trails or roads. The park also protects three state natural areas: the Wawayanda Swamp Natural Area, the Wawayanda Hemlock Ravine Natural Area and the Bearfort Mountain Natural Area.
A few trail highlights from the Trail Conference park page:
- Appalachian Trail: The white-blazed A.T. crosses the park east to west. On the Vernon side it climbs Wawayanda Mountain on the steep section known as the Stairway to Heaven.
- Cedar Swamp Trail: A 1.4-mile blue-blazed trail.
- Winter use: Woods roads are good for cross-country skiing when there is snow.
- Wet seasons: Parts of the trail system can flood, so waterproof boots help in spring.
Download the official NJDEP trail map before you go.
Terrace Pond
Terrace Pond sits at 1,380 feet in the Bearfort Mountain Natural Area, ringed by steep puddingstone conglomerate cliffs with blueberry swamps and rhododendron nearby, per the Trail Conference. It is on the Passaic County side of the park in West Milford and is separated from the rest of Wawayanda by Clinton Road.
The trailhead parking area (P7) is on the east side of Clinton Road, 7.5 miles north of Route 23 and 1.7 miles south of Warwick Turnpike. The yellow-blazed Terrace Pond West Trail makes a 4.7-mile loop from Clinton Road. Expect rocky, rugged footing. The Trail Conference notes there is no parking fee at Terrace Pond.
High Breeze Farm
The park also includes High Breeze Farm Historic Site, reached by taking Route 94 north toward New York and turning right on Barrett Road just over the state line. The Trail Conference notes there is no entrance fee, it is usually open only on weekends, and the Vernon Township Historical Society leases a building there.
Group camping
Wawayanda offers group camping. The NJDEP lake area map shows a group campground near Wawayanda Lake, and camping is by reservation. Rates and availability are set by NJ State Parks, so check the official park page or call the office for current group camping details.
Fees, hours and rules
- Parking fees: A parking fee applies at the lake area from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, per the Trail Conference. Confirm current rates with NJDEP before you go.
- Hours: Park and facility hours vary by season. Check the official park page or call (973) 853-4462.
- Hunting: Hunting is permitted in parts of the park in season, but the NJDEP hunting map states that no hunting is permitted on Sundays anywhere in the park. Hunting rules can change, so wear bright colors on the trails any day during fall and winter hunting seasons.
- Vehicles: No ATVs anywhere in the park, per NJDEP.
- Emergencies: Call 911 or the NJDEP hotline at 1-877-WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337).
Know before you go
Summer weekends at the lake are the busiest time, so arrive early. Fall is our favorite season here: fewer people, open trails and strong color around the lake. Pair a park day with lunch from our guide to the best restaurants in Vernon, and see our fall foliage hikes in Sussex County for more trail ideas. Heading out this month? Our list of things to do in Sussex County in October has more weekend plans.
Planning more time in the Skylands? See our guides to the Appalachian Trail boardwalk and Stairway to Heaven in Vernon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wawayanda State Park free?
A parking fee applies at the lake area from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. There is no parking fee at Terrace Pond. Confirm current rates with NJDEP.
Can you swim at Wawayanda Lake?
Yes, there is a swimming beach at Wawayanda Lake during the summer season. Swim dates and hours are set by NJDEP each year, so check before you go.
What county is Wawayanda State Park in?
Both. The park spans Sussex County (Vernon Township) and Passaic County (West Milford). Terrace Pond is on the Passaic County side.
Can you camp at Wawayanda State Park?
Wawayanda offers group camping near the lake by reservation. Contact the park office at (973) 853-4462 for availability.
What is the address of Wawayanda State Park?
The park office is at 885 Warwick Turnpike, Hewitt, NJ 07421, per NJDEP.
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Primary sources for this guide: NJDEP Wawayanda State Park brochure; NJDEP Wawayanda Lake area map; NJDEP Wawayanda trail map; NJDEP Wawayanda hunting map; NY-NJ Trail Conference, Wawayanda State Park.
Featured photo: Wawayanda Lake at Wawayanda State Park. Photo by Kritzolina via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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