You’re driving up through Hewitt, past the small-town storefronts and the winding backroads of Passaic County, and suddenly the trees just... swallow you. That’s the entry point to Wawayanda State Park. It’s massive. We’re talking over 34,000 acres of rugged Highlands terrain that feels less like suburban New Jersey and more like the remote wilderness of the Adirondacks. Most people head to the Jersey Shore when they want a "getaway," but honestly, they’re missing the point. If you want silence, real silence, you go here.
The park is a weird, beautiful mix of high-altitude swamps, glaciated landscapes, and a lake that looks like it belongs in a postcard from Maine. Wawayanda Lake is the centerpiece, a 255-acre glacier-carved body of water that stays surprisingly clear even in the dog days of August. But the park isn’t just for swimmers or people with expensive kayaks. It’s a historical footprint. It’s a piece of the Appalachian Trail. It’s a literal sanctuary for red-shouldered hawks and barred owls.
The Reality of Hiking the Wawayanda Section of the Appalachian Trail
People talk about the Appalachian Trail (AT) like it’s this mystical, uniform path. It isn't. The 19.6-mile stretch that cuts through Wawayanda State Park is famously punishing in some spots and strangely serene in others. If you start at the Pochuck Boardwalk and work your way up "The Stairway to Heaven" toward the park boundary, you’re going to feel it in your quads.
But once you’re inside the park limits, the terrain shifts. You hit the Hemlock Ravine. It’s cool. Dark. The air temperature drops by about five or ten degrees because the canopy is so thick. This is where the AT gets quiet. You’ll see thru-hikers with salt-stained packs resting near William Hoeferlin Trail intersections. They look exhausted. You’ll probably just be looking for a nice place to eat a granola bar.
Why the Cedar Swamp Matters More Than You Think
If you wander off the main AT corridor, you’ll find the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp. It’s eerie. It’s basically a prehistoric graveyard of trees that have survived in acidic, tea-colored water for generations. These swamps are rare. Like, globally rare. The Wawayanda swamp is one of the most inland examples of this ecosystem in the state.
Walking the boardwalk through the swamp feels like you’ve stepped into a horror movie, but in a good way. The moss is thick. The silence is heavy. It’s a massive contrast to the screaming kids at the swimming beach just two miles away.
Wawayanda Lake: Not Your Average Swimming Hole
Let’s talk about the water. Most New Jersey lakes are, let’s be real, a bit murky. Wawayanda is different. Because it sits at an elevation of about 1,100 feet, it’s fed by clean runoff and springs. It’s deep.
The swimming area is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, but only when lifeguards are on duty. That’s the catch. If the park is short-staffed, they close the beach. It happens. You’ve gotta check the New Jersey State Park Service social media pages before you load up the minivan, or you’ll end up staring at a "No Swimming" sign while sweating through your shirt.
Fishing here is legit. The NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife stocks this place with landlocked salmon. That’s not a typo. Salmon. In New Jersey. You need a deep-water setup to find them during the summer because they huddle in the cold thermoclines at the bottom. If you’re just throwing a worm off a rental boat, you’ll probably just pull up yellow perch or sunnies. Which is fine. But the salmon are the trophy.
Boat Rentals and the "No Gas" Rule
You can’t bring your motorboat here. No gas engines allowed. This is a huge deal for the vibe of the park. No screaming outboards. No smell of diesel. Just the sound of oars hitting the water and the occasional electric trolling motor hum. You can rent rowboats, canoes, and kayaks at the boathouse near the main parking lot.
- Rowboats are basic but sturdy.
- Kayaks go fast, but don't try to fit your cooler in a sit-in model.
- Canoes are for the pros who don't mind a little instability.
The Iron History You’re Walking Over
Most visitors don't realize they are walking over an industrial ghost. In the 1800s, this place was loud. Smelly. Busy. The Wawayanda Furnace, built in 1846 by William Ames, still stands as a stack of massive stones near the lake outlet. It’s a charcoal blast furnace that used to churn out iron for the American industrial revolution.
They used the local hemlock trees to make charcoal. They mined the hills for iron ore. They dammed the lake to provide water power. When you see those weirdly flat sections of trail, you’re often walking on old charcoal sledding routes or narrow-gauge railroad beds. The forest has reclaimed it all, but the bones are still there. It’s a reminder that nature is patient. It wins in the end.
Mountain Biking: The North Jersey Secret
If you’re a mountain biker, you already know about the "Waway" technical trails. This isn't a rail-trail for cruisers. This is rocks. Roots. Technical climbs. The Double S trail and the Tombstone trail are legendary for a reason. You will probably fall. Your shins will get scraped.
The local riding community, often led by groups like JORBA (Jersey Off-Road Bicycle Association), does a ton of work to keep these trails rideable. Without them, the overgrowth would eat the singletrack in a single season. If you're new to the park, stick to the Wingdam trail. It’s flatter. It’s kinder. Your knees will thank you.
What to Pack (Because There Is No Cell Service)
This is the part where I get serious. You will lose bars. Somewhere between Warwick Turnpike and the park office, your GPS will likely give up.
- A physical map. Pick one up at the park office or print a PDF from the DEP website.
- Bear spray or a whistle. Black bears live here. Lots of them. They aren't usually aggressive, but they are curious.
- Bug spray. The gnats in June are relentless. They will fly into your eyes, your nose, and your soul.
- Sturdy boots. The "Highlands" name isn't a marketing gimmick. It's rocky.
Winter in Wawayanda
When the snow hits, the park transforms. It’s one of the best spots in the state for cross-country skiing because the elevation keeps the snow around longer than in the valleys. The park doesn't groom the trails, so you’re breaking your own path.
Ice fishing is also huge here. Once the ice hits a safe thickness (usually 4+ inches, but check yourself, don't trust a stranger on the internet), the lake fills with little pop-up tents. It’s a whole subculture. People sitting over holes in the ice, drinking coffee, waiting for a tip-up to flag.
Navigating the Crowds
Look, Wawayanda is popular. On a holiday weekend in July, the park will hit capacity. When it’s full, the rangers close the gates. They don't care if you drove two hours to get there. Once the parking lots are maxed out, you’re turned away.
The pro move? Arrive before 9:00 AM. Or better yet, go on a Tuesday. The mid-week experience is a totally different world. You’ll have the trails to yourself, the lake will be glass, and the only sound you'll hear is the wind in the pines.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
To get the most out of Wawayanda State Park, you need to stop thinking of it as a city park and start treating it like the wilderness it is.
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- Check the Water Quality: If you’re going specifically to swim, call the park office at (973) 853-4517. Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) can sometimes shut down swimming in late summer, and it sucks to find out after you've paid the entry fee.
- Fees Matter: Expect to pay a vehicle entry fee from Memorial Day to Labor Day. If you have a New Jersey license plate, it’s cheaper. If you're from out of state, bring a little extra cash or your card.
- Start at the Furnace: If it's your first time, park near the boathouse and walk to the Wawayanda Furnace. It gives you a sense of the scale and history before you disappear into the woods.
- The Hoeferlin Trail is the Winner: For a solid loop that isn't as crowded as the AT, take the William Hoeferlin Trail (Blue blaze). It offers some great overlooks and varied terrain without the "parade" feel of the more popular routes.
- Respect the Bears: Store your food in your car, not in a backpack left on a picnic table. The bears here are smart. Don't make them "problem bears" by being careless with your sandwich.
The park is located at 885 Warwick Turnpike, Hewitt, NJ. It’s open daily from sunrise to sunset. Go early, leave no trace, and actually look up from your phone once in a while. You might see something incredible.