Lake Hopatcong Water Trails

Whether you're kayaking, canoeing, or paddle boarding, you're considered a boater under New Jersey law. That means there are rules to follow and steps to take to help ensure a safe experience on Lake Hopatcong.

You can learn more about New Jersey boating laws in the NJ State Police Boating Safety Manual or from the NJ State Police Marine Services Bureau.

Information and resources for paddlecraft safety are available from the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Free paddling safety courses are available from the American Canoe Association and boaterexam.com.

Requirements

Life Jackets Are Mandatory

• A U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket must be carried for every person on board a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard.
• Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket at all times while underway.
• In accordance with New Jersey’s cold-water life jacket law, from November 1 to May 1, all paddlers on vessels less than 26 feet—including kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards—must wear a USCG-approved life jacket while underway.
   

Navigation Rules Apply

• Paddlers must follow all navigation rules and use common-sense right-of-way practices.
• Larger, motorized boats and sailboats may have limited maneuverability, yield when necessary to avoid collision.
   

Safety Recommendations

Wear Your Life Jacket—Always - Even when it's not legally required, wearing your life jacket at all times is one of the simplest ways to stay safe. Emergencies can happen fast, and having it on can save your life.

File a Float Plan - Tell someone your route and when you expect to return, especially if paddling alone.

Stay Visible - Wear bright colors, attach reflective tape to your paddle and kayak, and carry a whistle to signal if needed.

Stick Close to Shore - Staying near the shoreline keeps you safer from fast-moving boat traffic and makes it easier to find a place to land if needed.

Check the Weather - Conditions on the lake can change quickly. Wind and waves often pick up in the afternoon—plan accordingly.

CLEAN. DRAIN. DRY.

Recreational activities on our waterways can unintentionally spread aquatic invasive species, non-native plants and animals that harm our waters. These invaders can limit recreational activities, diminish fishing opportunities, and degrade water quality. Protect waterways by cleaning, draining, and drying your kayak, boat, and gear after each use, in every water body, every time.

For canoes, boards, rafts, kayaks, rowboats, paddleboats, inflatables, sculls, and other non-motorized recreational watercraft:

CLEAN off visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud from watercraft, gear, paddles, floats, ropes, anchors, dip nets, and trailer before leaving water access. Scrub hull using a stiff brush.  Rinse watercraft, trailer, and equipment with high-pressure hot water, when possible.  

DRAIN water from watercraft, sponges, bailers, and water containing devices before leaving water access.

DRY everything five days or more, unless otherwise required by local or state laws, when moving between waters to kill small species not easily seen OR wipe with a towel before reuse.

Much of Lake Hopatcong’s shoreline is developed with residential homes, which is private property. Homeowner association beaches can look as though they are public beaches, but no public launching or landing is allowed. Please be respectful of residential privacy, and land only at the public sites.