Highlands Natural Pool

Visit Us

The positive features listed in the sidebar below don't need to be (shouldn't be) bullet points. This is just a convenient way to capture the things we want to say.

Swim

  • Fresh water - NO Chlorine!
  • Describe the pool (i.e. 100' x 200' Olympic-sized)
  • Diving board

Hike

  • We're in the middle of Norvin State Forest
  • 26 miles of beautiful hiking trails surround the pool
  • [Link to trail maps]

Play

  • Volleyball net
  • Softball field
  • Basketball hoops
  • We've got oodles of noodles

Sun / Shade

  • We supply lounge chairs
  • Tables w/ umbrellas
  • The pool is surrounded by grass & trees

Kid-Friendly

  • Enclosed Children's area
  • Dedicated Lifeguard
  • Sandbox, Play area, Toys
  • Healthy, affordable snacks

Food & Picnic Area

  • List some of the healthy foods we offer at the Snack Bar
  • Affordable prices
  • Plenty of BBQ grills and picnic tables

Clean Restrooms

  • Picture of restrooms (inside)
  • Picture of happy patron standing outside of room
  • Changing rooms

Helpful Staff

  • Fully guarded kiddie pool
  • We give Swimming lessons
  • Need a babysitter? [link]

 

 

Things to Do

These are quick cross-links to the abundant local resources in the Highlands area

Make a Day of It!

 

 

How to Get Here

The detailed directions below are a bit wordy. Could use some work: clarifications, map, link to mapping service, etc. These short thumbnails echo the map on the Homepage and provide a "sense of convenience":

  • Less than an hour from NYC (I-80)
  • 45 minutes from White Plains (I-87)
  • 30 minutes from Morristown (I-287)
  • 15 minutes from West Milford

From The Ringwood Area

Hint: Follow the green and white pool signs in town.

Turn onto Westbrook Road from Greenwood Lake Turnpike, across from Edita's Kitchen (NOTE: Greenwood Lake Turnpike is Ringwood Avenue south of West Brook Rd.)

At the end of the reservoir, there will be a fork where you must bear left and continue on on Westbrook Road over a small bridge. The second left is Snake Den Road. Continue about 0.6 miles (drive slowly and watch for people on this country road!), bearing left at top of hill. You'll then come to a clearing and the entrance for New Jersey Audubon/Weis Ecology Center.

Follow signs for Highlands Pool parking. Once parked, use the footbridge to cross the stream, then bear left to go to pool.

If you're coming from West Milford:
Take Macopin Road and turn onto West Brook; go past the first Snake Den Road (crosses a small bridge on right); and turn right onto next Snake Den Road (wide at entrance) just before the reservoir; continue as above.

From Bergen County

Take Route 4 West to 208 North to I-287 South; exit I-287 South at Exit #57 (Skyline Drive/Ringwood); bear right; go about 5 miles over Skyline Drive, through traffic light to the end; Turn left onto Greenwood Lake Turnpike 1.7 miles make right at Westbrook Road (across from Edita's Kitchen). At the end of the reservoir, there will be a fork where you must bear left and continue on over a small bridge staying on Westbrook Road. The second left is Snake Den Road. From there, follow Highlands Pool signs and refer to first set of directions above.

From Passaic/Morris Counties and Points West

Use Route 23 or I-80 to get to I-287 North. Follow I-287 North to Exit #55 (Wanaque/Pompton Lakes); turn right onto Ringwood Avenue; go 4 miles; turn left onto West Brook Road; follow directions (1) above.

From Rockland County and Points North

Take I-287 South to Exit #57; go over Skyline Drive, as above.

From New York City

Cross the GW Bridge and take Route I-80 West to Route 23 North to Route I-287 North. Get off at exit 55. At end of ramp, turn right onto Ringwood Avenue, Travel 4 miles and make left just past the Skyline Diner, across from the Ringwood Deli (Westbrook Road). At the end of the reservoir, there will be a fork where you must bear left and continue on on Westbrook Road over a small bridge. The second left is Snake Den Road. From there, follow Highlands Pool signs and refer to first set of directions above.

Alternate from GW Bridge:
Get onto Route 4 West to Route 208 North to I-287 South and take Exit #57 (Skyline Drive/Ringwood); bear right; go about 5 miles over Skyline Drive, through traffic light to the end of the road; Turn left onto Greenwood Lake Turnpike 1.7 miles make right at Westbrook Road (across from Edita's Kitchen). At the end of the reservoir, there will be a fork where you must bear left and continue on over a small bridge staying on Westbrook Road. The second left is Snake Den Road. From there, follow Highlands Pool signs and refer to first set of directions above.

From the Lincoln Tunnel:
Take Route 3 West to Route 46 West to Route 23 North to Route I-287 North. Get off at exit 55. At end of ramp, turn right onto Ringwood Avenue, Travel 4 miles and make left just past the Skyline Diner (Westbrook Road). At the end of the reservoir, there will be a fork where you must bear left and continue on on Westbrook Road over a small bridge. The second left is Snake Den Road. From there, follow Highlands Pool signs and refer to first set of directions above.

Online Maps with Directions to the Pool

Bus Transportation to the Pool Area