Wawayanda State Park

05/20/2026

✅The road and office lot are now OPEN

⚠️Wawayanda Road, from the office parking lot to the median behind the office, will be temporarily closed today, May 20, for maintenance. Visitor traffic will be diverted around the office. Those wishing to park in the office lot may use the adjacent lot next to the building.

05/05/2026

⚠️Due to lot repairs, the Terrace Pond parking area (P7) will be CLOSED tomorrow, May 6.

04/30/2026

Make your summer more than just a job at Wawayanda State Park! Protect, respond and grow as a lifeguard at a beautiful glacial lake! 🌄

No prior experience? No problem! New Jersey State Park’s will train lifeguards in CPR, Automated External Defibrillators, First Aid and other necessary medical practices. Each lifeguard will also receive a U.S. Lifesaving Association certification.

Lifeguard salaries start at $19 an hour. Junior lifeguard salaries are $17.50 an hour.

🛟Lifeguards develop lasting strengths and qualities including teamwork, leadership, clear communication, preparedness, situational awareness and the ability to remain calm and respond effectively in emergency situations. Applicants must be 16 years of age or older.
🛟Junior lifeguards work on skills training, giving new recruits a head start on their experience. Junior lifeguards cannot perform lifeguard duties for the public until age 16. Applicants must be 15 years old.

To get started, apply online and attend a regional swim and run test.

LIFEGUARD TEST DATES:
Saturday, May 16, 30 & June 13
Kittatinny Regional High School
77 Halsey Road, Newton, NJ 07860

Walk-ins are allowed with a completed lifeguard application form. More detailed information about the Lifeguard employment test including and a permission slip for applicants under 18 can be found here:https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/parksandforests/lifeguard-test-infosheet.pdf

🔗Learn more and apply today at: https://nj.gov/dep/workinparks

04/15/2026

⚠️UPDATE: Wawayanda Road will be closed through Friday, April 24.

⚠️Due to scheduled paving, Wawayanda Road will be CLOSED from Tuesday, 4/21 to Thursday, 4/23. Parking will be permitted at the office parking lot and outside the auxiliary entrance.

03/06/2026

Wawayanda Trail Maintenance 🌿🍃🌱

It's never too early for a little spring cleaning! Please join your regional AmeriCorps Source Water Protection Ambassador, Phoebe Galione, in walking along and cleaning up some popularly used trails in Wawayanda State Park

📆Saturday, March 14th, 2026
🕔10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
📍Wawayanda Lake Day Use Area - Meet by the Playground
5HQF+96, 885 Warwick Turnpike, Hewitt, NJ 07421 (Take the Warwick Turnpike entrance)

📣Important information: We are hoping to target the Lake Loop or Laurel trails which can be muddy depending on weather leading up to the event - please plan accordingly!

👕Please wear boots, rain-gear if needed, and bring a trash picker if you have one!

Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScptOU1zJHWpJVazlleSdl3q0KNXr1IIa9SciWPhlRPe17GMA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=104978249369942137042

Please email Phoebe Galione with any questions [email protected]



AmeriCorps AmeriCorps New Jersey New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection NJDEP’s Water Resource Management New Jersey State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites

02/24/2026

Wawayanda State Park is now OPEN ✅

Due to snow removal operations, many New Jersey State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites will remain closed, or operate on a delayed opening today, Feb. 24.

Areas will reopen for winter activities once maintenance crews complete snow removal.

Before visiting your favorite state park, forest or historic site, check the real-time operating status at stateparks.nj.gov

Camping reservations are suspended at several parks and forests in southern New Jersey. For updates, visit camping.nj.gov

02/03/2026

Don’t let the cold stop you from exploring New Jersey’s state parks, forests and historic sites. Winter is an ideal time to enjoy the outdoors, with fresh air and fewer crowds.

Join the New Jersey State Parks Celebrate 250 Challenge, a yearlong initiative encouraging New Jerseyans to get outdoors, get moving and celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary throughout 2026! Visitors of all ages and abilities are invited to join the challenge, build healthy habits and celebrate this milestone year while exploring New Jersey’s 41 state parks, 11 state forests, five recreation areas, and more than 50 historic sites and districts.

Learn more about the New Jersey State Parks Celebrate 250 Challenge: https://dep.nj.gov/parksandforests/get-outside/celebrate-250-challenge/

Images from a winter hike in Wawayanda State Park. As a reminder, when hiking on snow-covered or icy trails, wear appropriate clothing and use traction devices on footwear as needed.

Learn more about Wawayanda State Park at: https://dep.nj.gov/parksandforests/state-park/wawayanda-state-park/

01/24/2026

Due to the impending winter storm, all New Jersey State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites will close to visitors at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24.

Existing camping reservations will be honored, however campers should be prepared for the conditions.

Parks will reopen to visitors for winter activities once maintenance crews complete snowplowing operations.

View the real-time operating status of state parks, forests and historic sites at stateparks.nj.gov

01/17/2026

Wawayanda State Park is now OPEN✅ We thank everyone for their patience!

⚠️Due to weather conditions, Wawayanda State Park is currently CLOSED. (1/17/26)
❄️Please allow our maintenance staff time to clear the roads and pathways
❄️An update will be posted when the park is reopened
❄️Thank you!r

01/01/2026

Wawayanda First Day Hike.Thank you to all those who braved the wind, cold and ice to start off the New Year with us.

12/31/2025

Join us tomorrow and ring in the new year with a first day hike! Registration is NOT required. Meet at the beach parking lot at 10am.

Trail conditions may be icy, so please come prepared with proper footwear, crampons, and warm clothing❄️

Ring in the new year with a First Day Hike at New Jersey State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites! 🎉

On January 1, 2026, New Jersey State Parks is hosting 32 hikes and 1 lighthouse climb as part of America’s State Parks First Day Hikes program. These free, guided hikes will kick off our yearlong celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.

With hikes ranging from beginner to advanced, everyone is invited to get outside, enjoy nature, experience history and celebrate the New Year with friends and family!

Nearly 2,000 hikers participated in First Day Hikes on January 1, 2025, collectively traveling 4,000 miles.

All events are free, although some require pre-registration and are weather-dependent.

🔗 Explore the complete list of hikes at firstdayhikes.nj.gov

#2026