Round Valley Recreation Area

05/28/2026

SUMMER FACEBOOK COVER PHOTO CONTEST
It’s everyone’s favorite time of the season; the cover photo contest!
🤗We at Round Valley Recreation Area enjoy nothing more than seeing our wonderful visitors enjoying our park— in person, but in photos too! While we usually post our own pictures of the park, we love giving you all a chance to have your photos featured on our facebook!
💬Leave a comment below with your favorite summer photo that you took at Round Valley Recreation Area. From there, we'll conduct a public vote to select the winner. The winning picture will be featured as the seasonal cover photo on our page— how exciting!
📸 HOW TO ENTER THE PHOTO CONTEST:
Comment with your photo by midnight on Thursday, June 4th. Voting will take place over the following weekend, and our winner will be announced to the page on Monday, June 8th’
1️⃣Each visitor may have one photo entered into the contest. Can’t choose just one? You’re welcome to post a few, and park staff will just conduct a mini vote to select one to be entered in the contest!
☀️Photos must be summer themed and taken at Round Valley Recreation Area. Landscape photos, pet portraits*, and pictures of summer themes like the sandy beach, hiking, camping, picnics, and BBQs are all welcome~ let your creativity shine as bright as the summer sun!
P.S. We welcome you to visit the park this weekend!
Just be reminded that swimming is not yet open for the season! You are welcome to come hike, picnic, or BBQ though!
* P.P.S. Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof! That’s dog for “pets can be in photos too! Just remember that they must be wearing their leashes (or, should they choose to travel by boat, a PFD!) We love to see pets of ALL species, as long as they follow the rules of safe recreation!
We look forward to seeing your photos!

05/23/2026

Hello from rainy Round Valley! Today marks the first day of the summer season, which means that through labor day, our staff is eagerly waiting to meet you at the toll booth! We’ve looked forward to seeing you all again all winter, and we can’t wait to find what this season holds for the park.
As always, the park is the perfect summer spot for camping, hiking, biking, picnicing and more. Even more exciting, our lifeguarded swimming beach should open sometime in mid June— just in time for when summer gets HOT!
Now, meet a few of our office staff members, here to warm up the tollbooth for the season and refresh you on some rules. As always, be sure to stop at toll the to pay the fee, get directions or a dog bone, and meet some of our friendly staff! We hope you stop in to say hi soon! Round Valley has missed you!

05/22/2026

Attention all Round Valley campers! Did you know that Round Valley is a wilderness campsite? What this means is that we do NOT have drive up camping!
Never fear, these campers are here to demonstrate one option that we do have! Meet these “bike-packers,” who are taking their tents via bike 3 to 6 miles down the red and yellow trails for a perfect weekend getaway!
Dont have a bike? No worries! Our campsites are also accessible by hiking and boating! (That being said, always check the weather and the wind forecast— this weekend is NOT a great weekend to boat… especially not with a paddle!)
Lace up those hiking boots, pack up those bikes, or rev up those (less than 9.9 horsepower) boat engines! Round Valley is waiting for you! Happy camping!

04/30/2026

Dive into a rewarding summer at Round Valley Recreation Area, where you’ll keep visitors safe while gaining valuable experience! 🚣

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 2, 9 & 16
📍Oldbridge Family YMCA, YMCA of Greater Monmouth County
1 Mannino Park Dr, Old Bridge, NJ 08857

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

LIFEGUARDS WANTED! Spend your summer outdoors in some of New Jersey’s most beautiful outdoor spaces while helping visitors stay safe as a New Jersey State Parks lifeguard.

Starting salary is $19 per hour at lakefront beaches and $20 per hour at Island Beach State Park.

No prior experience required. New Jersey State Parks will provide training in CPR, automated external defibrillators and first aid, along with other essential medical skills. Lifeguards will also earn certification through the United States Lifesaving Association.

To get started, apply online at https://nj.gov/dep/workinparks and attend a regional swim and run test. Lifeguard test dates are as follows:
🏊 NORTHERN REGION
Saturday, May 16, 30 & June 13
📍 Kittatinny Regional High School
77 Halsey Road, Newton, NJ 07860

🏊 CENTRAL REGION
Saturday, May 2, 9 & 16
📍 Oldbridge Family YMCA, YMCA of Greater Monmouth County
1 Mannino Park Dr, Old Bridge, NJ 08857

🏊 SOUTHERN REGION
Saturday, May 2 & 9
📍 Cumberland Cape Atlantic YMCA
1159 E. Landis Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360

🏊 ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK
Saturday, April 25 and May 2
📍 Ocean County YMCA
1088 W Whitty Rd, Toms River, NJ 08755

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

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Lifeguard positions for the 2026 season are available at:
NORTH
🌊High Point State Park
🏊🏻‍♀️Hopatcong State Park
🌊Swartswood State Park
🏊🏻‍♀️Wawayanda State Park

CENTRAL
🌊Cheesequake State Park
🏊🏻‍♀️Round Valley Recreation Area

SOUTH
🌊Atsion Recreation Area (Wharton State Forest)
🏊🏻‍♀️Bass River State Forest
🌊Belleplain State Forest
🏊🏻‍♀️Island Beach State Park

🛟 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. Salaries start at $17.50 an hour for Junior Lifeguards.

🔗 Apply today at: https://nj.gov/dep/workinparks

03/20/2026

Spend your summer in the sun, ensuring visitor safety and learning valuable lifelong skills as a lifeguard at Round Valley Recreation Area! ☀️

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.

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

02/23/2026

𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗦𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀:
There's snow place like Round Valley Recreation Area!
🚧Round Valley Recreation Area is temporarily CLOSED and will have a DELAYED OPENING tomorrow (02/24). Thank you for your patience while our staff work to clear the park roads and bathroom sidewalks of this winter wonderland for you!
📸 Photo: It's like Groundhogs Day, once again, Team Maintenance is showing their dedication to public service by working hard to plow the park :) And our 'now hiring summer jobs' sign is once again covered in snow! Look on the bright side, we haven't seen any ticks in months!

"𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳!" - 𝘖𝘭𝘢𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘮𝘢𝘯
Just imagine how much cooler you'd be as a "park ranger" in summer! The sky will be blue and we hope you will be there too. Now hiring:
🚲 Ridge Riders: Mountain bike patrol for the Visitor Service Assistant Staff who love to ride, help lost hikers, and keep the trails clean and clear. Apply for Visitor Services and include your bicycle riding experience in the experience section!
🏖️ Lifeguards: Strive to be your best this summer by getting paid to learn and become first aid certified, train and exercise daily, and safeguard the swimming beach; the perfect summer job for athletes, volunteer EMTs, or pre-med majors.
🐶 Welcome Booth Staff: Park Office Personnel who collect toll, check-in campers, and give treats to all of the good dogs (except for the good dogs with allergies, they prefer to enjoy cheerful compliments).
🚜 Lawn Maintenance, Trades, and Cleaning Superheroes: Help keep the park clean and green while also learning new trade skills from our mighty Maintenance Team this summer! You could also get paid to help us shovel snow you know!
📝 Apply today, don't delay: E-mail us at [email protected] to send your resume or apply online at http://nj.gov/dep/workinparks

For later when the park re-opens:
🛷 The East Picnic Area and Beach have the best sledding hills with parking lots.
🚽 The heated East Restroom is OPEN.
🚫⛸️ NO ice skating

02/18/2026

FISHING REGULATIONS UPDATE: New Freshwater Fishing Regulations will go into effect February 17. The new rules are designed to provide more angling opportunities and to simplify the regulations, while providing adequate protection of our fisheries resources.

Major changes at Round Valley Reservoir include:
🐟 Lake Trout regulations have been changed to allow for more harvest at Round Valley and Merrill Creek Reservoirs, and there is no closed season.
🐟 Round Valley and Merrill Creek Reservoirs are now managed under the Lunker Bass regulation set.
🐟 11 native species have been added to the Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern list.

Freshwater fishing regulations can be found in the 2026 Freshwater Fishing Digest: https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/digests/freshwater-fishing/

FISHING REGULATIONS UPDATE: New Freshwater Fishing Regulations will go into effect February 17. The new rules are designed to provide more angling opportunities and to simplify the regulations, while providing adequate protection of our fisheries resources.

Major changes include:
• Removal of the traditional preseason closure on all trout-stocked lakes and ponds; the preseason closure will remain in effect on all rivers and streams.
• Opening Day of trout season is now established as the second Saturday in April.
• 23 new small ponds will be stocked with trout.
• The daily creel limit of 6 trout per day will remain in effect from Opening Day through May 31. The limit for the rest of the year will be reduced from 4 to 2.
• Lake Trout regulations have been changed to allow for more harvest at Round Valley and Merrill Creek Reservoirs, and there is no closed season.
• Round Valley and Merrill Creek Reservoirs are now managed under the Lunker Bass regulation set.
• 11 native species have been added to the Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern list.

Freshwater fishing regulations can be found in the 2026 Freshwater Fishing Digest: https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/digests/freshwater-fishing/

Don’t miss our upcoming Freshwater Fisheries Meetings, held virtually at 7 p.m.:
• Warm & Coolwater Fisheries Meeting - Wednesday, February 18
• Trout Meeting - Wednesday, March 11
• Aquatic Invasive Species Meeting - Wednesday, April 22

02/16/2026

𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟭𝟲𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀:
✅ Round Valley Recreation Area is OPEN. Thank you for your patience while our staff continue to work to clear the park roads and bathroom sidewalks of this winter wonderland for you!
📸 Photo: Team Maintenance working hard to plow the park and our 'now hiring summer jobs' sign covered in snow! Look on the bright side, we haven't seen any mosquitoes in months 😉

"𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳!" - 𝘖𝘭𝘢𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘮𝘢𝘯
Just imagine how much cooler you'd be as a "park ranger" in summer! The sky will be blue and we hope you will be there too. Now hiring:
🚲 Ridge Riders: Mountain bike patrol for the Visitor Service Assistant Staff who love to ride, help lost hikers, and keep the trails clean and clear.
🏖️ Lifeguards: Strive to be your best this summer by getting paid to learn and become first aid certified, train and exercise daily, and safeguard the swimming beach; the perfect summer job for athletes, volunteer EMTs, or pre-med majors.
🐶 Welcome Booth Staff: Park Office Personnel who collect toll, check-in campers, and give treats to all of the good dogs (except for the good dogs with allergies, they prefer to enjoy cheerful compliments).
🚜 Lawn Maintenance, Trades, and Cleaning Superheroes: Help keep the park clean and green while also learning new trade skills from our mighty Maintenance Team this summer!
📝 Apply today, don't delay: E-mail us at [email protected] to send your resume or apply online at http://nj.gov/dep/workinparks

For this wintery day:
🛷 The East Picnic Area and Beach have the best sledding hills with parking lots.
🚽 The heated East Restroom is OPEN.
🚫⛸️ NO ice skating

02/02/2026

Ahh...Febuary... Febrary... Febberary... Frebrury...
However you spell it... Happy First Day from Round Valley!

Even though the temperature might've been 11 degrees this weekend, 11 First Day Hikers and 11 Volunteer Ice Rescue Trainees gathered at the reservoir on this chilly Sunday to make the most of this sunny weather in this winter wonderland!

If you're like Queen Elsa and "the cold never bothered you anyway" we cordially invite you to join us for our upcoming winter events:
🦆 Sunday Feb. 15: Round Valley ~ February Bird Walk
🥾 Sunday Mar. 1: Round Valley ~ First Sun-Day of March Hike