7 Best Lakeside Towns in New Jersey

New Jersey rarely leads the conversation about lakefront living, but the lakes the state does have anchor some of its most pleasant small towns. Lake Hopatcong alone supports several distinct lakefront communities. Greenwood Lake adds an interstate option that crosses into New York. Union Lake further south was reshaped from a 19th-century industrial reservoir into a public recreation area. Each of the seven lakefront communities ahead works on a different scale and serves a different kind of waterfront day.

Hopatcong

One of New Jersey's clear top lake towns sits on the western shore of the lake that shares its name. Lake Hopatcong is New Jersey's largest freshwater lake at about 2,685 acres, with 45 miles of shoreline spread through several towns and communities.

Hopatcong is the most complete of the numerous municipalities around the lake, with multiple marinas, including Village Marina and West Shore Marina, as well as a corridor of local restaurants along River Styx Road. The numerous coves and offshoots of the main lake offer plentiful opportunities for waterfront living.

Mount Arlington

Just across Lake Hopatcong on the eastern shore is Mount Arlington, another top lakefront community. The small Mount Arlington Municipal Beach offers one of the best opportunities for public swimming and sunning, while the nearby Lee's County Park Marina provides a top spot for local anglers and boaters to indulge in their favorite hobbies.

The town is also home to Bertrand Island, once the site of the Bertrand Island Amusement Park, which operated from 1922 until 1983. The peninsula is now occupied by high-end homes and the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club.

Sparta

Sparta sits at the northern end of Lake Mohawk, a 600-acre private lake developed in the 1920s by the Arthur D. Crane Company. The town centers its downtown on the unique lakefront, which combines local businesses and public spaces like Boardwalk Park. Lake Mohawk Marina is just a short drive down the road for those looking to get out on the water.

After a busy day, visitors can enjoy a meal at one of Sparta's local restaurants, including the elegant and beloved St. Moritz Grill & Bar. Golfers can also take advantage of the beautiful and challenging course at Lake Mohawk Golf Club, located just steps from the lakefront.

Hewitt

Even though it is about 50 miles from New York City, Hewitt provides lakefront experiences that feel a world away. The town sits on the shore of Greenwood Lake, a 7-mile interstate lake that straddles the New Jersey-New York border, with about two-thirds of its area in New York and one-third in New Jersey.

This quiet town is home to South Shore Marina for boaters, along with others nearby. Those who would prefer to take in the lake from land can do so at peaceful Browns Point Park, located just steps from a handful of local restaurants along the Greenwood Lake Turnpike.

Netcong

Netcong began its life as a transportation crossroads, first by road, then via the Morris Canal in 1831, and later by railroad after the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western arrived in 1854. The town borders the smaller Lake Musconetcong, which can be accessed from the conveniently located Lake Musconetcong Boat Launch.

Multiple parks, such as DiRenzo Park, offer opportunities to take in views without a boat. For time off the water, foodies can dine at Bell's Mansion, located in an ornate 19th-century home just up the road from the boat launch. Families can check out the acclaimed Growing Stage children's theater, located just steps from the lake in the restored 1928 Palace Theatre building.

Millville

For reasons primarily related to geology and glacial activity, South Jersey does not offer the same lakefront living experience as much of North Jersey. Millville offers a satisfying option for those who would prefer their lake experience further south. The town sits adjacent to the manmade reservoir known as Union Lake, which spans roughly 898 acres and is the largest lake in southern New Jersey, originally impounded in the early 1800s for industrial water power.

Just a short walk or drive from the downtown commercial corridor, Union Lake Beach and Union Lake Park offer a wide variety of ways to enjoy the local waterfront. Visitors can also check out the Millville WaterFalls dam before returning to town for a homey meal at the Millville Queen Diner or a locally crafted cocktail at Mission Spirits Distillery.

Neptune City

Although the Shark River tidal estuary is not a true lake, it offers much of the same experience as many lakefront communities, with the added benefit of being just a few minutes from Jersey Shore destinations such as Asbury Park.

The city's Memorial Park spans a good portion of the town's waterfront, providing a small beach and pavilion. It is also a top area for those interested in the natural world, as the numerous local ecosystems make it a top spot for fishing, crabbing, and birding.

What These Seven Lakefronts Hold

New Jersey may not be the first state that comes to mind when travelers think of lakefront living. As this list shows, there are many amenity-rich and varied options for those seeking out the state's best lake towns. Hopatcong and Mount Arlington share the state's largest lake. Sparta runs its own private-development lake. Hewitt borders an interstate option, Netcong borders a canal reservoir, Millville anchors the south, and Neptune City stretches the definition with its estuary. Each works for a different kind of waterfront life.