Lake Loop offers participants a chance to get moving, have fun, and raise funds to support a healthy community and a healthy Lake Hopatcong.
Get active, have fun, and raise funds for a vibrant and healthy Lake Hopatcong and community. Registration is $50 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. Included with your registration is a commemorative cooling towel, lunch, first beer (21+), live music lakeside with Joe Biglin. All pre-registrants are entered in prize drawings, just for registering!
Pre-registration will close at 5 pm on Friday, September 29. Same-day registration will open at 7:15 am at Hopatcong State Park on Sunday, October 1.
While fundraising is not a participation requirement, fundraisers are eligible to win prizes, like a bicycle, private lake cruise, and more (see the drop-down below for a complete list of prizes)! When you register, a fundraising page will be automatically set up and sent to you via email, which you can share with friends, family, coworkers – anyone and everyone who will support your ride, run/walk, or paddle! You can also check the fundraising standings anytime by clicking “Fundraise” below.
Can't join us? Support this year's Lake Loop by donating to any individual or team!
Fundraising is not a requirement of participating in the Lake Loop, but every dollar you raise helps us to protect and improve New Jersey’s largest lake, and you could win some awesome prizes!
This fun bike features a durable tig-welded steel frame, easy-to-use coaster brakes, 26" cruiser tires, adjustable seat post with quick release, lightweight alloy wheels, deluxe padded saddle, frame-mounted bottle opener, front storage basket, and more!
According to our friends at Root Runners, Over 50% of runners are wearing shoes that could damage their feet or cause injury. Their complimentary Get Rooted Fitting Session provides the winner a one-on-one personalized 3D foot scan with expert analysis for their specific goals and anatomy. Small corrections have been shown to make a significant difference in both performance and comfort. LHF Development Director tested and approved!
Certified expert John Pagani and his team will take you on an unforgettable tour. No need to huff your boat! All materials are provided as you explore places like Merrill Creek Reservoir, the Delaware River Water Gap, the Arthur Kill’s Graveyard of Ships, Spruce Run Reservoir, the New Jersey Meadowlands, and more – your choice!
With its lightweight aluminum frame, its rider-friendly gear shifting system, and an overall design that’s meant to be easy on the neck and back, this is the perfect bike for a recreational rider. Take it out on those days when you’d like to enjoy a relaxing ride with friends and family.
Invite your team, friends, and family (we can fit up to 40) and come aboard our Floating Classroom! Sharpen your knowledge of New Jersey’s largest lake as we show you its ecological, historical, and cultural importance on a mutually agreed-upon date in 2024.
Register and you’ll be prompted every step of the way. Choose your activity, then choose how you’d like to fundraise – as an individual or as a team. A fundraising page will automatically be created and emailed to you, and you can share that unique page with friends, family, coworkers – anyone who will support your Lake Loop journey and help you win prizes! Wanna know where you stand? You can see the full list of fundraising individuals and teams below.
7:15 am Registration Open, Bagels and Coffee Available
8:00 am 62-Mile Bike Start (13 mph pace; must hit Edison Road rest stop by 11:15am)
9:00 am 40-Mile Bike Start (12 mph pace; must hit Yacht Club Drive rest stop by 11:30am)
9:30 am 20-Mile Bike Start
10:00 am 2.5-mile Paddle Start
10:30 am 5K Trail Run/Walk Start
11:00 am Lunch and Live Music Begins
Noon Raffle and Fundraising Winners Announced
For experienced cyclists looking for more of a challenge, the 40- and 62-mile courses include hilly extensions north of the lake, through the towns of Sparta and Ogdensburg. They feature their own awesome views, as you travel over streams, around forested preserves, and through town centers.
The Lake Loop is not a race and e-bikes are welcome!
20-mile route 40-mile route 62-mile route
While we do not have age restrictions in place for our rides, due to the nature of the courses, which include busy intersections, tricky turns, and some strenuous hills, they are NOT recommended for riders younger than 16 years old, and those under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Each rest stop will have water, nutrition, a bike repair tech, an emergency radio, and a restroom.
62-mile ride:
40-mile ride:
20-mile ride:
Bonus Stop:
Our friends at Magic Lube and Rubber will have a “bonus stop” with water and a restroom at their shop, on the corner of Espanong Road and Howard Blvd. (3.3 miles from Charley’s Tavern)
This unique trail run will take you along the lake and up into the hilly white trail at Hopatcong State Park. A true trail run/walk, the varied terrain provides a fun challenge that you can complete at your own pace. The course is approximately 1.5 miles long, with a loop added along the white trail to make it a 5K. Be prepared to make your way along grass, pavement, and rocky dirt trails. This course has it all!
Paddle around the lake on a 2.5-mile course. Push off and experience the peaceful beauty of Lake Hopatcong. The course will be marked and patrolled for a safe and fun day of paddling. Participants may use their own kayaks/paddleboards/canoes at their own risk. Life jackets are required for all paddling participants. Tandem kayaks are welcome, however, each participant must be registered.
We have partnered with Ramsey Outdoors again this year and a limited number of kayaks will be available for rent during the registration process. If you rent, your kayak will be on the beach ready to go when you arrive.
Info and tips for paddlers
Is the Lake Loop a triathlon?
No, the Lake Loop offers participants different options for getting active and supporting a healthy and vibrant Lake Hopatcong through their registration and fundraising.
Can I sign-up for multiple activities?
No, participants are asked to choose one activity from a choice of cycling, running/walking, or paddling.
Is the Lake Loop timed?
The Lake Loop is not a race and is therefore not timed, however, many participants time themselves via fitness apps, and there is a Lake Loop Strava Club where one can see how their participation measures up!
How much is registration and what’s included?
Adult registration is $50 (early bird price is $45 through June1!) and children are only $15. Adult registration includes swag, lunch, and live music. Children’s registration includes swag, lunch, and a finisher’s medal.
Can I register the day of the event?
Yes, participants can register onsite but will miss the opportunity to win fundraising and pre-registration prizes.
Where do I park?
All parking is at Hopatcong State Park. A volunteer will be available to assist you at the front gate.
Do I have to fundraise to participate?
Fundraising is not required to participate, however, proceeds from the event support the Lake Hopatcong Foundation's efforts toward a vibrant and healthy Lake Hopatcong and surrounding community. And, through the generosity of our sponsors, there are some amazing prizes as incentives for fundraising (list coming soon)!
Are there any age restrictions?
No, there are no age restrictions for the Lake Loop; however, minors must be accompanied by an adult, and we do not recommend the cycling routes for individuals younger than sixteen years of age. For those renting kayaks from us, we do not carry life jackets for individuals less than 90 lbs.
Is the event rain or shine?
The Lake Loop is rain or shine, however, if the weather forecast is severe or dangerous (hurricane, all-day thunderstorms, driving rains, etc.) and we are forced to adjust the timing of the event or cancel, an email will go out to all participants on Friday. Participants will have the option to request a refund or donate their registration fees, and swag will be made available for pick-up.
Will a Support and Gear (SAG) Vehicle be made available for cyclists?
Yes, if you experience a mechanical issue, breakdown, or cannot complete the route and need to reach the SAG vehicle, a number will be provided before the start of the event. For emergencies, call 9-1-1.
Where can I find the cycling/paddling/running routes?
A GPS route and downloadable cue sheets of the cycling as well as an overall map of the paddling and 5K course will be available soon.
How are the courses marked?
The cycling routes are marked with road paint. 62-mile = orange; 40-mile = pink; 20-mile = green. Tricky turns and major intersections will also have directional lawn signs, to help cyclists stay on track.
The paddling route is marked with yellow buoys meant to be followed clockwise back to the State Park.
The running route is marked with directional lawn signs and cheerleaders to help guide participants.
Are life jackets mandatory?
All paddlers must wear a PFD (personal flotation device), which they are expected to bring unless they rent from Ramsey Outdoor.
Is the park (and boat ramp) open to the public during the event?
Yes, the park and its amenities will be open to the public. Participants are advised to watch out for others while on the trails, and while paddling near the boat launch.
What time does lunch start?
Lunch will be available from 11 am -1 pm.
Is the event dog friendly?
Yes, Hopatcong State Park and the Lake Loop are dog-friendly, however, dogs must be leashed and are NOT allowed on the beach.
Lake Loop is not a timed event, however, participants are welcome to time themselves (and often do)! Check out our Lake Loop community on Strava, a popular app for tracking your activity.
It "takes a village” to make Lake Loop run smoothly, especially with so much activity along our bike, paddle, and running routes. We need volunteers to help with everything from checking-in participants, guiding them along their respective routes, staffing the rest stops, and more. This is guaranteed to be a fulfilling day of giving back, at a beautiful location!
If you have questions about the day, please don’t hesitate to email Caitlin@lakehopatcongfoundation.org or call 973-663-2500.
Thank you to all of our 2023 Lake Loop Sponsors! Sponsorship opportunities have now closed, however, if you would still like to support the Lake Loop, we encourage your company or organization to “field a team” and join us on October 1!
For more information, contact Caitlin Doran at 973-663-2500 or caitlin@lakehopatcongfoundation.org.
