Visit Jefferson Township · Morris County

Visiting & Lodging

Jefferson is one of Morris County's strongest outdoor destinations. A visit can move from Lake Hopatcong waterfront dining to a boardwalk trail at Prospect Point, rugged hiking in Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, golf in the Highlands, local history in Milton and family recreation at Camp Jefferson.

The township is geographically large, so plan a Jefferson trip by area rather than assuming every attraction is close to the next one.

Plan a Jefferson VisitLake Hopatcong
Nolan's Point
Prospect Point & Liffy Island
Mahlon Dickerson trails
Public camping
Camp Jefferson
Berkshire Valley Golf
Jefferson Township Museum
Seasonal events
Lakefront dining

Jefferson Township Business & Shopping Food & Drink Real Estate Visiting & Lodging Classifieds Jobs

Lake Hopatcong

Jefferson contains more shoreline on Lake Hopatcong than the other three lake municipalities. The Jefferson side includes Nolan's Point, Route 181, marinas, boat services, waterfront restaurants, residential coves and public access through preserved land.

Nolan's PointA compact lake destination with marinas and several waterfront restaurants. It is one of the best places to experience Lake Hopatcong without owning waterfront property.

BoatingLake Hopatcong supports power boating, paddling, fishing and sightseeing. Follow current New Jersey boating, licensing and safety rules.

Lakefront DiningAlice's, The Windlass, Stone Water and Jefferson House are among the current Jefferson restaurants associated with the lakefront dining district.

Lake Cruises & MarinasPrivate lake-cruise and marina businesses operate in the Jefferson/Lake Hopatcong area. Standard NJTGO visitor references do not include external commercial links unless they are paid placements.

Prospect Point Preserve & Liffy Island

Prospect Point Preserve protects roughly 300 acres along Lake Hopatcong and is Jefferson's largest preserved property on the lake. The James Leach Boardwalk Trail leads through the preserve toward Liffy Island, a 41-acre natural area.

Good for: hiking, lake views, nature photography, mountain biking on designated trails, picnicking and a quieter Lake Hopatcong experience away from the commercial waterfront.

Mahlon Dickerson Reservation

At 955 Weldon Road, the Morris County Park Commission's Mahlon Dickerson Reservation contains more than 3,500 acres and about 27 miles of multi-use trails. The terrain includes wooded ridges, wetlands and some of Morris County's highest elevations.

Hiking & Trail RunningExtensive trail network through rugged Highlands terrain.

Mountain Biking & Horseback RidingMulti-use trails support additional trail recreation where permitted.

Winter RecreationCross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular when conditions allow.

Fishing & NatureThe reservation supports fishing and wildlife observation as well as active recreation.

Mahlon Dickerson Reservation

Camping in Jefferson Township

Unlike many Morris County towns, Jefferson has a true public campground. Mahlon Dickerson's camping area generally operates from April through November.

RV Sites18 RV sites with electric service and seasonal water.

Tent SitesEight tent sites with platforms.

Adirondack SheltersFour shelters provide a simple roofed alternative to tent camping.

ReservationsReservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekends and peak seasons. Rates and operating dates can change.

Camping Information

Camp Jefferson

81 Weldon Road, Lake Hopatcong · 973-663-8404

The Township's 97-acre recreation complex includes an eight-acre lake, playground, sports fields, trails, pavilion, amphitheater, cabins and community facilities. Programming has included climbing, zip line, archery, ropes-course activities, boating and fishing.

Summer access: During the 2026 Summer Day Camp season, the grounds were closed to the general public Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 22 through August 21. Check current Recreation rules before visiting during future camp seasons.

Camp Jefferson

Berkshire Valley Golf Course

28 Cozy Lake Road, Oak Ridge · 973-208-0018

This public Morris County course is an 18-hole, par-71 layout stretching approximately 6,800 yards across a 600-acre Highlands setting. Elevation changes and mountain views give it a distinctly Jefferson character.

Berkshire Valley Golf

Jefferson Township Museum & Milton History

The Jefferson Township Museum occupies the George Chamberlain House, 315 Dover-Milton Road, Oak Ridge. Built in the 1870s, the house is listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.

For 2026, the museum's public schedule included first-Sunday openings from April through October, 1–4 p.m., with the exhibit Deconstructed Foundations: Taking Apart War and Clothing in Jefferson 1775-1865. Check current museum hours before making a special trip.

Where to Stay

Jefferson does not have a large conventional hotel district. Overnight options are better understood in three categories:

Public Camping in JeffersonMahlon Dickerson Reservation is the most distinctive in-town overnight option for RV, tent and shelter camping.

Private Short-Term RentalsLake homes and private rentals are available in the broader Lake Hopatcong area. Jefferson requires applicable short-term rental registration/certification, so verify the property and current rules.

Nearby HotelsConventional hotel clusters are available in the Rockaway/Dover/I-80 corridor, with additional choices toward Sparta/Andover and other surrounding communities.

NJTGO does not link to individual private vacation-rental listings as free directory entries. Paid lodging placements may include approved direct booking or property links.

A Jefferson Day Trip

Start at Prospect PointWalk the James Leach Boardwalk Trail toward Liffy Island for a quiet lake-and-woods introduction.

Have Lunch by the LakeHead toward Nolan's Point or Route 181 for lakefront or casual dining.

Choose an AfternoonHike Mahlon Dickerson, play Berkshire Valley Golf, or explore Camp Jefferson / township recreation depending on season.

Add Local HistoryIf the museum is open, visit the George Chamberlain House in Milton/Oak Ridge.

Finish at Lake HopatcongReturn to the lake for dinner, sunset views or an evening event.

Seasonal Community Events

Jefferson's annual calendar typically includes a spring carnival, Memorial Day events, summer concerts, Camp Jefferson programs, a fall festival, Halloween activities, a Winter Stroll, Christmas Tree Lighting and Christmas in the Village. Event dates change each year.

Check Current Jefferson Calendar

Getting Here & Getting Around

Jefferson is easiest to explore by car. Route 15 serves Lake Hopatcong and connects toward I-80; Route 23 serves the Newfoundland/Oak Ridge side; Route 181 follows part of the Lake Hopatcong corridor; and Berkshire Valley Road links Oak Ridge with the southern/eastern township.

Allow extra travel time: A Jefferson address can be many miles from another Jefferson destination. Lake roads, ridges and preserved land make direct east-west travel less simple than the township name suggests.

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