Wawayanda State Park

nice swimming area plenty of space nice changing area

Always a great day when hiking here. Love being outdoors and getting fresh air. Can’t wait to check out more trails.

Very disappointed with this park. It is large and very pretty but with only one very small group camping area with 3 sites. We pulled in late on a Friday in October. Everything was closed – although a ranger sat in his truck up the hill a bit and watched us try the doors of the office and walk around trying to figure out how to check in – to no avail. He didn’t offer to help. So finally we just drove around the park looking for the camping sites. We finally found the group site. There was no indication any of the three sites were reserved so we set up camp. About two hours after we arrived a group of 25 scouts arrived and said we were in their spot. We could have moved to another site but we were worried someone else would come in and do the same thing again so we packed up and left. We have been traveling across the US from California and have camped in state parks in CA, OR, WA, Idaho, MT, So. Dakota, WI, MI, Ohio, PA, NY, and MA and never found a state park as disorganized as this. It seems like a very unimpressive way to run a park and I will avoid New Jersey campgrounds in the future. Camp at your own risk.

The boat rentals in Waywayanda state park are horrible. This past weekend I was there at 8am when they were supposed to open but the two hungover workers decided not to show up until 9:30. After thirty min of them trying to help the long line of people that had been waiting they had to swap out several electric motors and batteries for my boat which none of which ended up working. It seems the motors were wrapped in fishing line since they aren’t maintained. Since I couldn’t go out on the lake I got a refund for the boat rental but they wouldn’t credit me for the park fee «sorry bro my register will be short at the end of the day.” — Justin AKA hungover moron… They wasted two hours of my time at the park plus two hours round trip in driving, wasted gas, money for fishing bait, money on the park etc… Other customers said this is typical for them…

Went for a nice long walk with the dogs today. Wonderful place, very clean. Lots of people at the beach but we avoided. Very quiet and serene on the trails. Historic furnace was very cool and interesting. Trails were clear and well marked. You don’t have to pay to park of you walk in and jump on the trails that start at the entrance. The employees were all very pleasant even when we let the dogs off leash (a big no no) we were very politely reminded to put the back on. Trails were not tough at all so keep that in mind if you’re looking to push yourself. I was only trying to sweat out a hangover and this was a perfect cure! Will absolutely be back! Also, don’t be a jerk – take your garbage with you.

Good hike around the lake. Trails are well marked and in the summer the have boat rentals. Lots of dogs. It’s a carry out park and its relatively clean. It’s a park not anything to write home about.

I truly enjoy coming here haven’t walk the trails yet which I need to so I can get to some better fishing spots. I brought my family here for a day on the lake and they are so addicted to spruce run. They fell in love with the park my brother brings his grills whenever we go to the state parks. I told him to definitely bring them cause if not there early we won’t have a table and the baby grill for the warming of rolls and little stuff. I have caught catfish and a couple of bowfins no trout yet. I will have to try my hand at ice fishing here. I have been to only around 9 of the many many state parks but will say wawayanda is by far my favorite due to the closeness of parking to the sand and fishing gotta love that. You can rent kayaks and row boats if you don’t want to row you can rent an electric motor. You can only use electric motors on the water get you a fish finder for help finding those salmons or trouts. I gave only 4 stars cause I haven’t hit the trails yet outside of that OUTSTANDING.

Loved the hike here. Came to do the Surprise Lake via Bearford Ridge as well as Greenwood Lake overlook loop. It was long, but a great hike. We took the white trail to start, then the yellow trail and then the blue trail for the loop and the orange trail to come back to the car. This was an amazing foliage hike.

Very enjoyable park. Mostly clean beach and clean water. Playground by the beach.
Why not 5 stars? There is dog poop on the grassy area near the beach, and even on the beach itself. Park needs better enforcement of the no dogs on the beach rule. Also, the bath house could use some maintenance (eg replacing the many missing curtains in the changing rooms).

Great park! Kept clean and professional staff. The park wasn’t packed on a Monday but I have heard it gets full on the weekends.

Clear water and clean beaches is what you will find at this state park. They have lots of amenities here like a dog beach, fishing, boating, bathroom and showers. There is also a small snack stand and grills everywhere. Long hours let you spend the day here with lots of nearby attractions in Warwick, NY. Can’t wait to explore this place more!

Gorgeous, but do yourself a favor and come on a weekday if you can. Otherwise, you will probably not be able to secure a grill if you don’t come mega early. Not only that, you may not be able to get in if they are full to capacity, and in that case they may reopen at around 3:00, depending.
There’s a great beach, concession stand, and boat rental. There are a few islands on the lake you can row to, also. It’s dog friendly as long as your pup is on a leash– I’ve seen several people take their dogs for a swim outside the official swim area.
Beautiful place!

The lake is great for fishing and paddling. The hiking trails, particularly east of Clinton Road, are some of the best in NJ. Great views, varied terrain. Trails throughout the park range from easy walks on old carriage roads, to heart pumping, rugged steeps.
The wildlife I’ve encountered in Wawayanda includes bear, snakes of many kinds (including rattlesnakes), bobcat, bald eagles and beaver. Not to mention the variety of fish that roam the waters of the main lake. Trout, landlocked salmon, bass, pike, pickerel, catfish and more.
If you are just there to hike and don’t feel like paying the entrance fee (Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend), find yourself the North Jersey trail map set from
and you’ll see many trailheads and parking areas that don’t require that you pass through the entrance gates. Nothing illegal about it.
What’s not to like here? The masses can hang out by the lake and if you want to get away from the crowds there is plenty of space to wander.

Went to this park last Sunday. It wasnt very crowded yet as it is the beginning of the season. It was $ 10.00/car to get in/​park. They give you a map and garbage bag.
The beach area seemed cleaned. The GPS said I had arrived at my location but really it was another 8 miles straight down the road.

The lake is deep, The trails are long. The mountains are steep. But my directions were wrong. This place is huge and full of wildlife. Bears abound. Snakes in the summer. Bus loads of inconsiderate pricks leaving their garbage behind.

Great place on a hot day just make sure you bring cash for the snack shop.
Low price and ton of time to relax in the sun.

Great place to get away from the stresses of work. Lots of activities to do. Hiking, swimming, paddle boating, canoeing, mountain biking, horseback riding, picnicking, camping.
Most of it for free! (Bring your own horse) Parking may be extra.
The beach on the lake is wonderful. It’s well kept and the water is refreshing.
The grills at the picnic area are mostly in great condition. Granted they’re not covered, but it’s nice to have more than a dozen relatively clean grills at your disposal.
The biggest drawback is the park is relatively weak for hiking. Very easy trails. Not much incline. Trails are only about 1.5−2 mi then you have to hop onto another. We ended up off the beaten path in order to entertain ourselves. We did run into a snake while off the paths which was fun.
Another drawback is the campsites appear to be right on the main trails. Expect hikers and mountain bikers to pass your camp by quite regularly.
Overall, this place is a lot of fun and very relaxing if you know what to expect.

Just came back from a wonderful day at Wawayanda with my hub. We got here before 9 at someone’s suggestion, bc apparently they turn people away if the parking lot is full. We boated, hiked and picnicked on a lovely cloudy Sunday. Some key facts:
–Opens at 8 on Sundays
–$ 10 to get in if you have NJ plates. I think it’s enforced only in the summer
–$ 17/​hr to rent a rowboat. Kinda expensive considering they’re not in great shape
–Lots of hiking trails right off the beach/​picnic area
–Tons of grills and picnic tables
–Scary compost bathrooms (but at least there are options besides the woods)
–Lots of wildlife: deer, possums, snakes, rabbits etc
The drive here is also very beautiful. Definitely a great place to come for the day and enjoy nature!

What I find amusing is that while this is a NJ State Park, you have to travel briefly through New York State to enter. There is another limited entrance open in the summer.
IT IS WORTH IT.
Part of the 14 state 2100 mile Appalachian Trail goes through the park.
I like the beach. You can kayak on the lake. It is an old Iron Ore smelting plant and some rather large furnace remnants are still along the trails.

Great Park Mostly Unspoiled Nice Trails Place Is Huge
I go in the fall, winter and spring when the place is empty, this is when I can really enjoy the outdoors in quiet.
Keep The Parks Clean And Your Dog On A Leash!