Outdoors
Lakes near Jersey City
30 named lakes within 30 miles, nearest first, with a map and directions.
Lakes within 30 mi
30
Closest
4 mi
Croton Distributing Reservoir
Within 10 miles
6
Reservoirs
19
Worth the drive
Map
Map of 30 places loads as you scroll.
All lakes, nearest first
- 4miCroton Distributing Reservoir
- 5.5miThe Lake
- 5.8miProspect Lakereservoir
- 6.3miJacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoirreservoir
- 7.2miHarlem Meer
- 8.4miRidgewood Reservoirreservoir
- 10.3miHighbridge Reservoir
- 13.5miJerome Park Reservoirreservoir
- 14miWilliamsbridge Reservoir
- 15.7miRobinson's Branch Reservoirreservoir
- 16.2miHillview Reservoirreservoir
- 16.5miOradell Reservoirreservoir
- 17.7miLake Surprisereservoir
- 17.8miLake Success
- 20.2miGrassy Sprain Reservoirreservoir
- 20.8miWoodcliff Lake Reservoirreservoir
- 20.9miLake Innisfreereservoir
- 21.4miSheldrake Lake
- 22.2miBoonton Reservoirreservoir
- 22.3miLake Tappanreservoir
- 23.2miLake Leffertsreservoir
- 23.3miPompton Lake
- 24.4miRainbow Lake
- 24.9miRamapo Lakereservoir
- 25.8miRock Ridge
- 26.1miCedar Lakereservoir
- 26.1miIndian Lakereservoir
- 26.3miEstling Lake
- 27miMarlu Lakereservoir
- 27.3miTarrytown Reservoirreservoir
Straight-line distance from the center of Jersey City; driving and trail distances are longer.
Before you go
Many reservoirs are drinking-water supplies with no swimming or body contact. Look for a designated swim beach.
Green, scummy or paint-like water can be a toxic blue-green algae bloom. Keep kids and dogs out and check the county advisory.
Boat launches often need a day pass or inspection for invasive mussels, and anglers 16 and older usually need a state fishing license.
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Questions
What is the closest lake to Jersey City?
Croton Distributing Reservoir, about 4 miles from the center of Jersey City.
How many lakes are near Jersey City?
30 named lakes are within 30 miles, 6 of them within 10 miles.
Are the lakes near Jersey City natural?
19 of the 30 are reservoirs made by dams; the rest are mapped as natural lakes. Swimming rules differ, so check each one.
Sources: Wikidata and OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked 2026-11-08; photos from Wikimedia Commons under the licenses shown. Access, fees and conditions change; check before visiting.