Highland Lakes, NJ

Highland Lakes is a scenic, private lake community set in the mountains of Vernon Township in northern New Jersey. What started in the 1930s as a summer colony of rustic cabins has gradually evolved into a year-round neighborhood of around 4,800 residents. Daily life revolves around the Highland Lakes Country Club, which connects property owners through shared access to private beaches, boat launches, tennis courts, and a clubhouse that hosts community gatherings throughout the seasons.

ATTRKritzolina / CC BY-SA 4.0

The neighborhood spans across seven lakes framed by quiet, wooded hillsides and winding mountain roads. Local kids attend Vernon Township public schools, and the community maintains its own post office alongside full municipal and emergency services from the township. With Wawayanda State Park, the Appalachian Trail, and Mountain Creek ski resort just down the road, it offers a relaxed lifestyle centered on hiking, swimming, and year-round outdoor recreation.