Question 1

What do I need to know before our visit?

Accepted Answer

Before you visit, please familiarize yourself with our Visitor Rules.(https://www.highlandsnaturalpool.org/_files/ugd/ec0680_5ef2898825e64a35a5c34f4e031f6787.pdf)

Alcohol, smoking, vaping, recreational drugs, and any amplified music or speech (speaker systems, radios, cellphones not on headphones, etc.) are not allowed anywhere on Pool or New Weis Center (http://www.highlandsnaturefriends.org/)properties, including the field.

You can bring your own food and drinks (no alcoholic beverages) or  we have a snack stand offering a variety of drinks and snacks.

The pool deck has chaise lounge chairs and there are tables and chairs just outside the swimming area (first-come, first served). We have a picnic grove where tables with grills are available for an additional fee. You can also bring your own chairs and blankets.

All swimmers must wear proper swim attire. Cut-offs, shorts without liners, spandex, and street clothes cannot be used as bathing suits. Swimsuits must not be transparent. Any inappropriately distracting, immodest, or sexually revealing attire is not permitted. Our definition of bathing suit is final.

Pets are only allowed in the picnic grove, they must be attended, on a leash, and quiet at all times. You are responsible to clean up immediately after your pet.

Food and beverages except for (water or seltzer) are not allowed on the pool deck to keep bees and ants away. The pool deck is the area inside of the wooden fence.

Please apply SPRAY-ON sunscreen outside of the pool area - these products contain benzene which can be inhaled by those around you causing dizziness and headaches.

Question 2

Can I come for the day without being a member?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Day Passes are available for non-members to purchase at the pool entrance. Parking is free. The pool accepts cash and credit cards for payment. We do not sell day passes in advance.

Each visitor must purchase a day pass whether they plan to swim or not.

Question 3

Can I buy food and drinks at the pool?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the pool snack stand offers a variety of hot and cold snacks, ice cream, and drinks. You can also bring your own food and drink, but please be aware that no alcoholic beverages, including beer, are allowed anywhere, at any time, on Highlands Pool property.

Anyone bringing alcohol or recreational drugs onto the property will be required to leave.

On the pool deck, no food or beverages except for water/seltzer are allowed so as to not attract bees and ants.

Question 4

Are there picnic facilities?

Accepted Answer

Yes, just outside the Pool gates there is a Picnic Grove. Tables are free for Members and can be reserved in advance. For day-visitors, there is a $25 fee to use a picnic table and charcoal grill. This fee is in addition to the per-person Pool admission fee, whether you plan to swim or just use a table in our Picnic Grove.

No open fires, wood-burning, or portable charcoal grills are allowed. Table-top propane grills are okay. No cooking is allowed in the Weis field. No chemical starter or treated (self-starting) briquettes are allowed in the grills. We have chemical-free starters available.
 
All garbage and recycling must be picked up and separately bagged (bags are available at the office). You may place the bags by the picnic table when you leave.

Visitors must familiarize themselves with the Visitor Rules (https://www.highlandsnaturalpool.org/_files/ugd/ec0680_5ef2898825e64a35a5c34f4e031f6787.pdf)that govern the swimming pool, Picnic Grove and the rest of the property. Please read these before you visit.

Question 5

Does the pool have a changing room and showers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the pool has changing facilities and a cold-water rinse off shower. The pool also has modern restroom facilities.

Question 6

When does the pool close?

Accepted Answer

The pool closes sharply at 6:00 pm daily. The parking lot is closed and locked soon after that. The Weis Center property closes at dusk.

Question 7

How do I get to the pool without a car?

Accepted Answer

To reach the pool using public transportation, use a combination of NJ Transit buses and a ride-sharing service. From the NYC Port Authority Bus Terminal (42nd and 8th), take the NJ Transit #197 (https://content.njtransit.com/sites/default/files/bus_schedules/T1196_0.pdf)bus to the Lakeside Diner (16 Greenwood Lake Turnpike, Ringwood, NJ).

From the diner, you're 2.9 miles away from the pool. The road to the pool is narrow and winding without sidewalks. There are no taxi cabs in Ringwood, but there are a number of local Uber and Lyft drivers who can bring you to the pool. We recommend that you arrange your trip with a driver in advance.

Question 8

What sunscreen can I use?

Accepted Answer

Being a natural pool, we strive to protect the creatures who reside in the pool. Therefore we strongly recommend that all members and guests only use sunscreen that is "reef safe." These sunscreen products contain the active ingredients: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These will be listed on the container. Here is more information (https://savethereef.org/about-reef-save-sunscreen.html)on sunscreens that are "reef safe." Also, we ask that guests not use spray sunscreen within the pool area.

Question 9

Does the pool have tables and chairs?

Accepted Answer

The pool provides tables and chairs on a grassy area within the pool gates and chaise lounge chairs in the swimming area. These are available on a first come, first served basis. A limited number of picnic tables with grills are also available for a fee in our Picnic Grove.

You can bring your own blankets and chairs to be used on the field outside of the pool gates.

Question 10

Are pets allowed at the pool?

Accepted Answer

Pets are only allowed in the picnic grove. All pets must be attended (not left alone), on a leash, and quiet at all times. You are responsible to clean up immediately after your pet.

Question 11

Are babysitters available?

Accepted Answer

No. Children must be supervised at all times by an adult.

Question 12

Is smoking Permitted?

Accepted Answer

Smoking and vaping is not allowed on the pool grounds or the New Weis Center property. This includes Hookahs!

Question 13

Is the pool handicap accessible?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Within the pool gates we have a paver walkway leading to the pool. The shallow section of the pool has a hardscape bottom that features a gentle slope leading into the water. Noodles and flotation devices are allowed.

Please note that there is no paved path from the parking lot to the pool entrance. By making arrangements in advance, you can drive to the pool entrance and park. Please call the pool at 973-835-4299 to speak with the manager who can arrange to have the roadway to the pool entrance opened.

Question 14

Does the pool get so busy that you can't let more people in?

Accepted Answer

This rarely happens (only on holidays and extremely hot weekend days). What often does fill up is our parking lot. If that happens, there is a larger parking lot for the New Weis Center on the right just before the pool parking lot. Please note that parking on Snake Den road is not allowed.

We recommend you call the pool at 973-835-4299 before your visit for the latest status.

Highlands Natural Pool 180 Snake Den Road – Ringwood, NJ

Highlands Natural Pool
180 Snake Den Road – Ringwood, NJ