If you are vacationing in New Jersey or plan to be over the summer months, then you may want to check out Tomahawk Lake as a possible day trip idea—especially if you plan to make the Newark area or the New Jersey shore your vacation port of residence. Tomahawk Lake is a 200-acre family fun center and waterpark set on a 20-acre lake in Sparta, NJ. This New Jersey attraction has fun activities for both adults and kids.
If you have children in tow, they will definitely enjoy all the water rides that NJ’s Tomahawk Lake has to offer. They can ride “The Black Snake,” a 500-foot water slide that twists and turns in an almost pitch-black tube and drops you into the lake. Kids might also like competing against you or each other on the four speedy racing water slides. For the smaller children, Tomahawk Lake has Papoose Land, which includes age-appropriate water slides, swimming areas, a giant front and turtle, kiddie canoes, bumper boats, and more!
After a much-anticipated one-hour drive in Newark passenger van rentals, both kids and adults have a lot to look forward to at Tomahawk Lake. Bigger kids and adults will enjoy the larger water slides as well as the bumper boats, canoes, 18-hole miniature golf course, sand volleyball courts, and more! Plus, you can sit back, relax, and just soak in some sun along the beach if you need a little rest and relaxation.
Tomahawk Lake also has food stands and snack areas, so you can get a bite to eat after enjoying all the water activities. You can get everything from soft drinks to ice cream to chips, hot dogs, and more! Adults over age 21 can also enjoy the outdoor beer garden that serves food in addition to adult beverages.
General admission into Tomahawk Lake is as follows:
- Adults: $10 weekdays; $11 weekends & holidays
- Children (8 and under): $9 weekdays; $10 weekends & holidays
Be sure to bring cash, because that is the only form of payment accepted at Tomahawk Lake. Also, note that general admission includes access to parking, beach and swimming facilities, Kiddies Water World, and picnic tables; it does not include water slides, bumper boats, and some of the other park amenities. However, you can get pay-one-price wristbands that can give each person in your group full access to the slides, rides, and boats. This wristband costs between $10-13 and is in addition to the price of admission.
And don’t load up your NJ 12 passenger van rental and head to Tomahawk Lake just yet. Tomahawk Lake does not officially open until May 29. From May 29 through June 13, the park is only open on the weekends. However, from June 17 through September 7, Tomahawk Lake is open daily; be sure to check Tomahawk Lake’s website or call ahead for hours because they change almost monthly. We also want to stress one more time that Tomahawk Lake only accepts cash as a form of payment, but they do have an ATM available if necessary.
Tomahawk Lake sounds like a good all-day or afternoon activity, if you want to get away from the city or want a change from lounging on the New Jersey shore all day. The atmosphere seems family-friendly, but it also has fun for all ages. So if you’re looking for some water activities away from the beach, Tomahawk Lake and water park may be just want you need.
