If you want to stay cool this weekend, here are some ideas of parks that have a variety of amenities including swimming pools, lakes among other activities to keep the kids and family happy!

Darlington County Park 

600 Darlington Avenue, Mahwah / (201) 327-3500
Two of these lakes permit swimming, while the third allows fishing. Swimming is available from Memorial Day through Labor Day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weather and conditions permitting.  The park also includes white sand beaches, wooded picnic area (bring your own grill), open lawns, new children's state-of-the-art playground, tennis and handball courts, and a bird and wildlife observation.  During swimming season there is an entrance fee; however, Bergen County residents receive a discount with a Bergen County Parks card. (Camping permits are also obtained here for Campgaw and Ramapo Reservation.)

Ringwood State Park - Shepherd Lake Recreation Area

Take Route 287 to exit 57, follow signs to Ringwood State Park / (973) 962-7031
The spring-fed waters of the 74-acre Shepherd Lake are brisk and invigorating and offer swimming from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day from 10 am to 6 pm. Inner tubes, rafts and other flotation devices are not permitted in the swimming area. Only Coast Guard approved life jackets are permitted. Pets are prohibited on the beach.

Boating, canoeing and fishing are permitted with boat rentals available. A network of trails surrounds the lake leading to rocky vistas.

Sunrise Lake at Lewis Morris Park

Route 124 ~ Morris Township / 973-267-4351
Picnic area, athletic fields, horseback riding, pedal boats and rowboats rental available.  Sunrise Lake at the Park now features Wibit! Wibit provides a track where players can race each other in on the water. Wibit kayaks are also available for a relaxing ride or a race with family or friends.

Walter E. Ulrich Memorial Pool

Rahway River Park, St. Georges Avenue, Rahway, New Jersey 07065
barrier-free bathhouse,  50-meter swimming pool that ranges in depth from 2 feet to 5½ feet, 13 foot deep diving tank with a one meter and a three meter diving board,  children's wading pool.

John Russell Wheeler Memorial Pool

Wheeler Park, West Stimpson Avenue & Route 1, Linden, New Jersey 07036 / (908) 862-0977
main pool is connected to diving tank, main pool is 25 meters in length and ranges from 2 feet to 5½ feet deep, the dive tank end of the pool is 13 feet deep with both a 1 meter and a 3 meter diving board, separate children's wading pool.

Sprayground at Dorbrook Recreation Area

Dorbrook Recreation Area, 209 County Route 537, Colts Neck, NJ / (732) 542-1642
This water-enhanced playground is a great place to be cool and play with water.  The Sprayground is free of charge.

Wheeler Park

West Stimpson Avenue & Route 1, Linden, NJ 07036 / (908) 862-0977
main pool is connected to diving tank, main pool is 25 meters in length and ranges from 2 feet to 5½ feet deep, the dive tank end of the pool is 13 feet deep with both a 1 meter and a 3 meter diving board, separate children's wading pool.

Cedar Brook Park

Plainfield/South Plainfield, NJ
Spray Pool

Wawayanda State Park

885 Warwick Turnpike, Hewitt, NJ 07421 / (973) 853-4462
From Memorial Weekend to Labor Day, while lifeguards are on duty, visitors can swim in Lake Wawayanda. Swimming hours are 10 am to 6 pm. Adjacent to the beach visitors can access facilities with changing areas, restrooms, a first-aid station, and a food concession where food and beach supplies may be purchased.

Swartswood State Park

Swartswood, NJ 07877
From Memorial Weekend to Labor Day, while lifeguards are on duty, visitors can swim in Swartswood Lake. Swimming hours are 10 am to 6 pm. Adjacent to the beach visitors can access facilities with changing areas, restrooms, showers, a first-aid station, and a concession building where food and beach supplies may be purchased.   The facilities are accessible for people with disabilities.

Stokes State Forest

1 Coursen Rd  Branchville, NJ 07826
Swimming is permitted in Stony Lake from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day while lifeguards are on duty. Visitors will find a beach complex containing changing area, restrooms a first-aid station and picnic facilities. Inner tubes, rafts and other flotation devices are not permitted in the swimming area.

Cheesequake State Park

300 Gordon Rd, Matawan, NJ
Swimming is permitted in Hooks Creek Lake from Memorial day weekend through Labor Day weekend while lifeguards are on duty. Visitors will find a beach complex containing changing area, restrooms, a first-aid station and a concession offering refreshments, novelties and beach supplies. Inner tubes, rafts and other flotation devices are not permitted in the swimming area.  

New York

Rockland Lake State Park

299 Rockland Lake Rd. Valley Cottage, NY 10989
The park offers a huge 24,140 square foot swimming pool with diving boards--the pool is more than 10,000 square feet larger than an Olympic size pool!  A kiddie pool is also available for young children.  The park also offers picnic tables; grills, a car top boat launch dock, boat and bicycle rentals, hiking trails with breath-taking views of the Hudson Valley, six tennis courts and the Rockland Lake State Park golf courses, featuring two 18 hole golf courses.  Anglers can fish Rockland Lake for bass, perch and norlunge.  Walkers, joggers, roller bladders, and bicyclists can enjoy the 3.2 mile non-motorized use paved trail around the lake.  Fee for parking and pool entrance.

Tallman Mountain State Park

The park operates as a day-use area, offering a swimming pool, running track, tennis courts, playfield, cross country skiing, a walking trail, hiking and picnic areas.

Palisades, New York 10964

(845) 359-0544

Bear Mountain State Park 

Stony Point, New York / (845) 786-2701
The park features a large play field, shaded picnic groves, a dock on the Hudson for mooring small craft, lake and river fishing access, a swimming pool, a zoo and nature, hiking, biking and cross-country ski trails. 

Clarence Fahnestock State Park

1498 Route 301, Carmel, NY 10512 / (845) 225-7207
The large beach at Canopus Lake is the jewel of Clarence Fahnestock Memorial Park. Its sandy shore and nearby picnic area are enjoyed by thousands of bathers. In addition to swimming, campers and day trippers can fish in or tour Canopus Lake by row boats which are available for rental by the hour or the day.