Cheesequake State Park

09/23/2023

Join us for our October hikes! On the 7th we'll be identifying native and invasive plants. On the 14th, we'll be identifying mushrooms. Lastly, we'll have a unique hike on the 21st highlighting the environmental and ecological changes we see in the park as the seasons change, with a touch of Halloween lore included.

To register, please follow this link and fill out the survey:

Registration for guided walks at Cheesequake State Park.  Please come prepared with water, bug spray, sunscreen and anything else necessary for a hike.

09/22/2023

Our hike for Saturday, September 23rd at 9AM has been cancelled. Stay tuned for additional program dates.

09/09/2023

Our hike for Saturday, September 23rd at 9AM still has space! Make sure to register using the link provided.
Next month will hold another Mushroom ID guided hike due to its' popularity, and we thank all who came out today!

Registration for guided walks at Cheesequake State Park.  Please come prepared with water, bug spray, sunscreen and anything else necessary for a hike.

08/19/2023

Meadows are an important ecosystem in New Jersey! They provide great habitat for various insects and invertebrates as well as a great food source for birds and pollinators. Although meadows may just look like long grass when not in peak bloom, they still serve as an invaluable ecosystem for our native species!

08/10/2023

PARK ADVISORY: Swimming is OPEN at Cheesequake State Park tomorrow through Sunday - 10:00 a.m. -5:30 p.m.

08/06/2023

PARK ADVISORY: Swimming will be closed until further notice as of today - Sunday, August 6 due to a failed water test.

07/26/2023

Our August Program Schedule is here! Registration is required, please click on the following link to register or use our QR code! https://forms.office.com/g/VxRHavuizc

07/15/2023

Cool find on our guided hike today! We spotted Jack O'Lantern Mushrooms. These mushrooms are especially unique because they are bioluminescent, meaning they emit light in the darkness. These large mushrooms are toxic to humans and should not be consumed, but they sure are fun to look at! Take a hike on the yellow trail to try and find some for yourself!

07/13/2023

https://forms.office.com/g/VxRHavuizc

Our hike for Saturday, July 15th at 9AM still has space! Make sure to register using the link provided.

Registration for guided hike at Cheesequake State Park.  Please come prepared with water, bug spray, sunscreen and anything else necessary for a hike.

07/08/2023

Had so much fun on our guided hike this morning! Thank you all for joining us. If you would like to go on a future guided hike please register through our pinned post. Below we have some sights from our hike including ghost pipes, a bleeding tooth fungus and Philadelphia fleabane!

07/07/2023

Registration for the hike tomorrow, July 8th has now been closed as it has reached capacity! Thanks for the great response!

07/04/2023

Don't forget to register for our upcoming hikes!

06/24/2023

Our July Program Schedule is here! Registration is required, please click on the following link to register or use our QR code! https://forms.office.com/g/VxRHavuizc

06/20/2023

Have you ever thought about working for the New Jersey State Park Service? Are you passionate about helping to protect New Jersey’s natural resources? Do you enjoy being outside, working on environmental stewardship projects, and sharing your environmental knowledge, interests and information with people of all ages?

Then the job of full-time “Resource Interpretive Specialist 1 – Natural Resources”, also known as a Park Naturalist, might be for you! We are seeking someone skilled in stewardship, interpretation and environmental education to run a nature center, coordinate stewardship projects, and lead projects and programs for school groups, park visitors and others.

The application is open to New Jersey residents that have the necessary education requirements and experience as outlined in the job description. Follow the link below.

The New Jersey Civil Service Commission’s vacancy announcement for a “Resource Interpretive Specialist 1 – Natural Resources” with NJ State Parks is open for applications until 4 p.m. sharp on June 21, 2023.

🔗 Apply and learn more today: https://info.csc.state.nj.us/jobannouncements/DefaultJobAnnouncement/ViewCompetitiveJobDescription?guid=38160

06/15/2023

We still have remaining reservations available for the Cheesequake Creek Kayak Eco-Tour. (Dates listed below)

For reservations or more information on the Kayak Eco-Tour, contact the Cheesequake Nature Center @ (732)-566-3208.

02/08/2023

12/20/2022

As we enter the holiday season, the New Jersey State Park Police would like to offer a friendly reminder to lock your vehicles when visiting New Jersey's State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites, and ensure that anything of value is out of sight and secure.

As always when recreating in the outdoors, remember to be aware of your surroundings and park in designated areas
If you observe something you feel may be suspicious, please contact the State Park Police by dialing 1 (877) WARN-DEP or 9-1-1.

On behalf of the entire State Park Police and State Park Service staff, we wish you and your families a safe and joyous holiday season!

11/17/2022

STOMP IT OUT AND SCRAPE IT OFF

How can you help protect our beloved forest ecosystems filled with productive native tree species and our agriculture such as grape vines?

Learn to recognize egg masses of the pesky Spotted Lanternfly. These bad bugs lay eggs on flat surfaces sheltered from wind, such as tree trunks, rocks, and man-made structures. They can even hitchhike and lay eggs underneath your vehicle! These egg masses are present September-June, with the Winter and Early Spring being the best time to scrape them to prevent nymphs from hatching.

The Spotted Lanternfly prefers to use the invasive tree-of-heaven as its host tree; however, egg masses have been found on willows, birches, maples, and many other diverse native tree species. With your help in the coming months, we can tackle this pest together!

🌳 First step: recognize egg mass. Appears as mud smeared when covered in a sticky clay-like substance, upon drying it appears lighter in color. Also appears as columns of brown seeds. See photos for reference.

🌳 Second step: use a hard tool, such as a plastic card, to scrape the egg mass off the tree (or rock / man-made structure). Make sure to “pop” the egg casings and scrape with pressure applied.

🌳 Third step: Collect the egg masses in a bag that contains an alcohol or hand sanitizer solution. This ensures the nymphs do not survive the scraping. Dispose of properly.

10/06/2022

09/26/2022

Happy autumn from the New Jersey Forest Service!

The time has come to start planning your fall foliage adventures throughout New Jersey State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites!

Each Friday during the fall season we will post an updated graphic and give you suggestions for which one of our state parks and forests have the best foliage of the week.

Due to the lack of rainfall this summer season we are expecting a not so vibrant autumn colors this season.

Data for this forecast provided by: https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map/

09/22/2022

Volunteers worked hard at to complete a massive trail clean-up. Protect plants and animals and care for your parks by taking your trash with you. Whatever you carry into the park, plan on carrying it out too It’s like crowdsourcing trash management! Bring a bag or two for trash, recycling and cleaning up after your pet. There are no trash receptacles in this park. Thank you!

09/21/2022

FALL EQUINOX
Fall is here. The fall equinox occurs on Thursday, September 22 and marks the start of fall in the Northern Hemisphere.
The word “equinox” derives from the Latin words for equal and night. On the day of an equinox, daytime and nighttime are approximately equal all over the planet.
During an equinox, the Sun crosses the “celestial equator”—an imaginary extension of Earth’s equator into space. The equinox occurs when the Sun’s center passes through this line.
After the fall equinox, days become shorter as the Sun continues to rise later and set earlier, and ends with the winter solstice, after which days start to grow longer once again.
On a more practical level, we associate fall with cooler nights and moderate days, changing of leaves, harvests of pumpkins, squash and apples, and digging out sweaters from the back of the closet!

09/12/2022

The official start to fall is just around the corner! Now it's time to enjoy in a new season. Take a hike, bike around the park and be sure to check out our Nature Center to learn more about your local state park!

08/26/2022

Happy National Dog Day! Our four-legged friends are always welcome at . For everyone to have a fun trip just remember...
-Always keep your dog on a leash
-Please pick up after your pet
-Be sure to check your pet (and yourself) for ticks after a hike

08/24/2022

08/16/2022

PARK ADVISORY: Cheesequake State Park

Improved water quality will allow Hooks Creek Lake at Cheesequake State Park to reopen from swimming tomorrow, August 17.

Please note that the last day for swimming this season at Cheesequake State Park will be Friday, August 19.

🔗 Statewide swim area schedule: https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/swimmingschedule.html

PARK ADVISORY: Cheesequake State Park

Improved water quality will allow Hooks Creek Lake at Cheesequake State Park to reopen swimming tomorrow, August 17.

Please note that the last day for swimming this season at Cheesequake State Park will be Friday, August 19.

🔗 Statewide swim area schedule: https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/swimmingschedule.html

08/12/2022

PARK ADVISORY: Cheesequake State Park

Hooks Creek Lake at Cheesequake State Park is CLOSED to swimming until further notice due to poor water quality.

PARK ADVISORY: Cheesequake State Park

Hooks Creek Lake at Cheesequake State Park is CLOSED to swimming until further notice due to poor water quality.

08/07/2022

Here's a tip for enjoying your weekends at ... the early bird gets the worm when it comes to grills and picnic areas down by Hooks Creek Lake. Park hours are 8a.m. to 8p.m. Have a great week!

08/03/2022

We are pleased to announce the Nature Center at Cheesequake State Park has reopened to the public. Hours of operation for August is Tuesday through Sunday, 8 am to 4 pm. For more information, contact park staff at 732-566-3208.

07/17/2022

PARK ADVISORY:
Cheesequake State Park lifeguards will be off duty Sunday, July 17, 2022. Swimming is only permitted when lifeguards are on duty.

The Swimming Area Beach will remain open for:
🍔 Picnicking
☀️ Sunbathing
🏐 Lawn games and more!

🍟 Feel free to grab a bite to eat at the Snack Shack located at the Beach complex!

Other swimming areas open today include:
🌊 Round Valley Recreation Area
⛱ Hopatcong State Park
🌊 Island beach State Park

Check out the NJDEP Park Swim Schedule for the latest updates.
https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/swimmingschedule.html

NJDEP - About the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

07/15/2022

Cheesequake State Park's swim area is closed as of 2 p.m. today and will remain closed through Sunday.

07/13/2022

PARK ADVISORY: Cheesequake State Park

Cheesequake State Park's lifeguards will be off duty Thursday, July 14. Swimming is only permitted when lifeguards are on duty.

Other swimming areas which will be open tomorrow include:
🏊 Round Valley Recreation Area
🏊 Hopatcong State Park
🏊 Island Beach State Park

Full list of State Park Service swim areas: https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/swimmingschedule.html

07/12/2022

Can you guess what a group of chipmunks is called? A scurry!

Don't forget to notice the little things at - like the chipmunks that are hard at work. They can collect more than 150 acorns in a day and have expandable cheek pouches for carrying their grub back to their burrows.

07/08/2022

Rain or shine - certain park visitors always enjoy their time at .

07/06/2022

Some of Cheesequake State Park's local wildlife only come out when the park is quiet. These two enjoy the lake area when others aren't around.

07/01/2022

Independence Day Weekend Lifeguard Schedule

🏖️ Island Beach State Park – Open July 2, 3 & 4 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
🏖️ Atsion Recreation Area (Wharton State Forest) – Open July 2, 3 & 4 – 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
🏖️ Belleplain State Forest – Open July 2, 3 & 4 – 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
🏖️ Cheesequake State Park – Open July 2, 3 & 4 – 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
🏖️ High Point State Park and New Jersey Veterans' Memorial – Open July 2, 3 & 4 – 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
🏖️ Hopatcong State Park – Open July 2, 3 & 4 – 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
🏖️ Parvin State Park – Open July 2, 3 & 4 – 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
🏖️ Round Valley Recreation Area - Open July 2, 3 & 4 – 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
🏖️ Wawayanda State Park – Open July 2, 3 & 4 – 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
🏊 Swimming is only permitted when lifeguards are on duty.
♻️ Keep it Clean and Green! Protect plants and animals and care for your state parks by taking your trash with you. Whatever you carry into the park, plan on carrying it out too. Bring a bag or two for trash, recycling and cleaning up after your pet. There are no trash receptacles in this park.
🛟 Any lifejackets used in our swimming areas must be US Coast Guard approved.

🏊 ADDITIONAL SWIM AREA OPENINGS
🏖️ Swartswood State Park – Anticipated opening mid July

❗Lifeguard Positions Available
The State Park Service continues to hire lifeguards for the summer season. Oceanfront guards at Island Beach State Park start at $18.50 per hour, while lakefront guards start at $17.50 per hour. While candidates must pass running and swim tests prior to employment, prior experience is not necessary. Paid training is provided and each lifeguard will receive a U.S. Lifesaving Association certification. Apply today: http://nj.gov/dep/workinparks

🔗 View the State Park Service's swim schedule to keep up to date on swim area openings: https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/swimmingschedule.html

06/23/2022

One of 's interesting residents is the Common Snapping Turtle. It is the largest turtle in New Jersey (not counting
sea turtles). Active from April through November, the Snapping Turtle is identifiable by its large head, saw-toothed tail, brown/black shell and is often fierce when on land. Remember to be careful around this animal - it can defend itself vigorously, and its powerful jaws can cause considerable damage.

06/21/2022

Today, June 21, officially marks the first day of summer! Celebrate the coming of more warm, sunny days this season at .

06/01/2022

Update: power has been restored and Cheesequake State Park has reopened.