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Jefferson Township is the Morris County town for people who want to be outside. Tucked into the northwest corner of the county, it holds the biggest park in the Morris County park system, the highest point in the county and a long stretch of Lake Hopatcong shoreline, all within about an hour of Manhattan. Here is our guide to things to do in Jefferson, NJ, from ridge-top hikes in Oak Ridge to dinner on the water at Nolan’s Point.
A quick note on names: Jefferson is one township, but locals say Oak Ridge, Milton, Lake Hopatcong and Jefferson interchangeably. Addresses on the lake side use a Lake Hopatcong mailing address even though they sit inside Jefferson Township.
Hike Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
Mahlon Dickerson Reservation covers more than 3,500 acres in the hills of Jefferson, which makes it the largest park in the Morris County Park Commission system. There are about 27 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, plus fishing and birding spots and seasonal camping.
Two hikes are worth planning a morning around:
- Headley Overlook. One of the highest points in the park system, with a view out over Lake Hopatcong. It is the payoff hike at Mahlon Dickerson and a great one in peak foliage.
- Pine Swamp Trail. This trail passes the highest point in all of Morris County, about 1,395 feet above sea level. Bring good boots; it can be wet and rocky.
Trail runners and bikers also use the old Ogden Mine Railroad bed, a flat path that follows Jefferson’s iron mining history. For more trails around the county, see our guide to the best hiking trails in Morris County.
Get on Lake Hopatcong at Nolan’s Point
Lake Hopatcong is the largest lake in New Jersey, and Jefferson owns a big piece of its northern shore. The hub is Nolan’s Point, a lakeside strip with a boardwalk, marinas and two of the best-known restaurants on the lake.
Lake Hopatcong Cruises runs the Miss Lotta, a cruise boat that boards at 37 Nolan’s Point Park Road. Lunch and weekend dinner cruises are the easiest way to see the whole lake without owning a boat, and the food on board comes from sister restaurants Alice’s and The Windlass. Check the cruise calendar before you go, since the schedule thins out as the season winds down.
If you would rather stay on land, The Windlass and Alice’s both sit right on the water at Nolan’s Point, and The Windlass is open year round. For a full rundown of where you can swim, boat and fish around the county, see our guide to the best lakes in Morris County.
Play a Round at Castle Cove Mini Golf and Arcade
Castle Cove Mini Golf and Arcade at 705 Route 15 South is Jefferson’s go-to family stop. The 18-hole course is built around castles, dragons, waterfalls and streams, and there is an indoor arcade with a prize counter, a gem mining station and a snack court. It is family owned, and no reservations are needed. Castle Cove runs on reduced fall hours (it was open Friday through Sunday this October), so check before you drive over.
Eat Like a Local
Jefferson is not a downtown dining town, but it has a few institutions worth the trip:
- Jefferson Diner. A Lake Hopatcong staple since 1985 and a regular on lists of the best diners in New Jersey. Go for breakfast after a morning at Mahlon Dickerson.
- Alice’s and The Windlass. The two lakefront restaurants at Nolan’s Point, best on a clear evening when you can eat by the water.
The township keeps its own list of local restaurants covering Oak Ridge, Milton and the lake, which is handy for pizza and takeout.
Jefferson’s Annual Events
Jefferson’s calendar is built around its community: the Jefferson Township Firemen’s Carnival in late spring, the J. Town Jamboree in July, free Friday night gazebo concerts all summer and Jefferson Day in Oak Ridge every September, which featured a drone show at dusk this year. We cover each one as dates are announced.
Make a Day of It
Our favorite Jefferson day: breakfast at the Jefferson Diner, a morning hike to Headley Overlook, a round at Castle Cove with the kids, then dinner by the water at Nolan’s Point. If you want to keep exploring the lake, Roxbury sits on the southern shore, and our guide to things to do in Roxbury, NJ picks up where this one leaves off.
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