Go All In With Watersports
Ringed by multiple marinas, Lake Hopatcong invites you to take to the water any way you please. Connect with Bridge Marina to rent a luxury pontoon boat complete with a bimini top for shade, Bluetooth stereo system for tunes and plush seating and amenities for your complete comfort.
Rather let someone else take the helm? Sit back, relax and enjoy the pleasures of being a passenger with Lake Hopatcong Cruises. It’s all aboard Miss Lotta for a nearly endless variety of themed cruises including Cheeseburger in Paradise, Superhero Family Lunch, Trivia Tuesday, Wine Down Wednesday, Farm to Boat Dinner, Fantastic Homes Tour and so much more.
Hit Lakeview Marina to rent a hydrobike or try your hand (really, your feet!) at wakeboarding, wakesurfing or water skiing. You can even try the barely-heard-of-before activities of ZUP and Air Chair for the ultimate bragging rights.
And if you’re fortunate enough to own your own kayak, paddleboard, canoe, motorboat, jet ski or sailing vessel, you can use the public boat launch in Hopatcong State Park to navigate your way around the lake.
Reel In The Fish (And Fun!)
Don’t forget your rod and reel – Lake Hopatcong is teeming with brown, rainbow and brook trout, large-mouth bass, perch, catfish, pickerel and sunfish. Top tip: Anglers ages 16 to 69 will need a New Jersey fishing license before casting a line.
Decadently Dine Lakeside
Stunning water views are always on the menu at these lakeside restaurants: Stone Water, The Jefferson House, The Beacon on Lake Hopatcong and Mason Street Grille.
Putt, Play & Pan
Castle Cove Mini Golf & Arcade is your destination for family fun! Try to sink a hole-in-one (with golf balls that don’t sink!) during a round of miniature golf that sports waterfalls and other picturesque features. For memories that will gleam for a lifetime, you can mine for gemstones and fossils with the fam. And, if the weather’s not cooperating, you can head inside to play Air Hockey, Ice Ball (a Castle Cove favorite!), Wonder Wheel, Barrel of Monkeys and tons of additional games in the arcade.
Spend A Day In The Park
Hikers, bikers, kiddos and, really, anyone can find recreation and relaxation at Hopatcong State Park. In addition to the boat launch we mentioned before, there are plenty of trails to explore, plus playgrounds and sports fields and courts to run around on. When you’re ready to take a break for lunch, there are several picnic areas to choose from. And on a fine summer day, you can enjoy beach access and swimming in the lake. A bathhouse complex complete with restrooms, showers and changing areas makes swapping swimsuits for dry clothes as easy as a summer breeze!
Hit Another Beach
Nestled on Lake Hopatcong’s eastern shore, you’ll find the highly-rated but low-key Mount Arlington Municipal Beach. If you’re looking for a quiet beach area to dig your toes into the sand and feel the golden sun on your face, this is it.
Be Happy Campers
Outdoor lovers will enjoy the nearby Mahlon Dickerson Reservation. Operated by the Morris County Park System, the park includes more than 3,500 acres with tent sites and Adirondack shelters with picnic tables and fire rings, as well as paved sites with seasonal electric hookups for camper trailers.
Follow The History
Make an appointment or plan to visit during operating hours to tour the Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum. Here, you’ll uncover the area’s storied history, including its heyday as a magnet for the rich and famous in the early 20th century and the beloved wooden roller coaster at Bertrand Island Park.
After you’ve lived it up on Lake Hopatcong, check out all of the other amazing destinations, attractions and all-around wows New Jersey has to offer. Download our free travel guide and sign up for our e-newsletter to plan your someday (soon!) vacay.
