Parking Lot
Parking lot
4.3 (15)
Ringwood, NJ 07456
This location may be clothing-optional or adjacent to adult content. We do not display adult imagery and recommend discretion. Families should verify suitability.
Managed Seasonal Natural Swimming PoolNJ
Highlands Natural Pool
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Plan Highlands Natural Pool in Ringwood with public day passes, lifeguard rules and children’s swim testing. The operator reports the 2026 season closed.
Swimming temporarily closed
Swimming only during operation with a lifeguard on duty; under-18 deep-section annual proficiency test and operator supervision/attire rules apply.
Official sources checked:
Water type
Managed Seasonal Natural Swimming Pool
Access
Swimming temporarily closed
Fee
Displayed 2026 day rates: adults $20 weekdays/$25 weekends and holidays; specified senior/service categories $15; ages 5-17 $10; ages 4 and under free. Recheck future-season prices; picnic table/grill fee separate.
Best season
Check the named destination, current notices and weather before choosing a date
Nearby towns
Ringwood
Water body
Stream-Fed Highlands Natural Pool
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Ringwood
Access location not verified
Ringwood, NJ
Approximate location based on the nearest town. Confirm the exact spot and access before you go.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . See the rules above and check for current closures.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
A public natural pool with a defined season
Highlands Natural Pool is a community-operated, stream-fed swimming facility at 180 Snake Den Road in Ringwood. It is separate from the surrounding Norvin Green forest waters. The operator’s homepage checked October 14, 2026 says the season is closed and invites visitors back in 2027. This is a seasonal closure, not a permanent one.
Admission and opening hours
When operating, the pool welcomes day-pass visitors as well as members. The homepage publishes noon-6 p.m. hours and a schedule changing between weekends and daily summer operation. Do not assume those hours apply outside the season or to the next year; confirm the new calendar before travel.
Plan for the published charges
The currently displayed day rates are $20 for adults on weekdays and $25 on weekends or holidays, $15 for the listed senior and service categories, $10 for ages 5-17 and no charge for ages 4 and under. The picnic-grove table with grill costs an additional $25 for day visitors. Recheck rates for a future season and possible capacity or weather limits.
Swimming depends on staffing and ability
The operator forbids swimming without a lifeguard on duty. Children under 18 must pass the annual proficiency test before entering the deep section. The test page describes required strokes and treading water; ask staff about the appropriate section for your group instead of assuming every visitor may enter deep water.
Pack for the actual rules
Use proper swim attire, follow staff instructions and supervise children. Pets are restricted to the picnic grove, not the pool. Alcohol and smoking are prohibited, and the deck has restrictions on glass, food and drinks. Use the pool’s facilities, not the New Weis Center restrooms.
Before your next visit
Call 973-835-4299 and read the operator’s current calendar and rates and swim-test requirements. A lifeguard does not replace adult supervision.
Getting There
Use the operator's current directions to 180 Snake Den Road, Ringwood. Confirm the next opening calendar before travel; the 2026 season is closed as checked October 14.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Public day passes supported during operation; no swimming without lifeguards, no off-season entrance assumption.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Swimming only during operation with a lifeguard on duty; under-18 deep-section annual proficiency test and operator supervision/attire rules apply. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
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Frequently Asked Questions About Highlands Natural Pool
Is Highlands Natural Pool open now?
The operator homepage checked October 14, 2026 says the season is closed and visitors should return in 2027. Confirm the next season’s calendar before traveling.
Do I need to be a member to visit?
No. The operator sells public day passes during operating hours. Capacity and weather can limit admission.
Where is the pool entrance?
The operator lists 180 Snake Den Road, Ringwood, New Jersey. Follow its current visitor directions, not a generic forest-water pin.
What are the displayed day-pass rates?
Adults are listed at $20 weekdays or $25 weekends/holidays, specified senior/service categories $15, ages 5-17 $10 and ages 4 and under free. Recheck next-season prices.
Can children use the deep-water section?
Children under 18 must pass the operator’s annual proficiency test. Staff determine eligibility; adult supervision is still required.
Can I swim when no lifeguard is present?
No. Operator rules prohibit swimming without a lifeguard on duty and outside operating hours.
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
Swim only with lifeguard staffing and follow section/test restrictions; actively supervise children and obey staff instructions.
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Respect protected sites and local rules; no invented cultural associations.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Photograph only from permitted viewpoints and respect visitors' privacy. Scenery is not a current water-condition report.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Respect property boundaries, use authorized routes and carry out waste.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Check the named destination, current notices and weather before choosing a date.
Difficulty Level
No verified accessible descent or surveyed route to an informal water entry.
Fee
Displayed 2026 day rates: adults $20 weekdays/$25 weekends and holidays; specified senior/service categories $15; ages 5-17 $10; ages 4 and under free. Recheck future-season prices; picnic table/grill fee separate.
Facilities
Use pool facilities, not New Weis Center restrooms. No blanket accessible water-entry claim.
Activities
Operator-managed natural-pool swimming during the staffed season; separate picnic-grove use under facility rules.
Phone
973-835-4299
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
Pool admission does not establish camping rights; arrange authorized lodging separately.
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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