The Highlands Pool is located in the Wyanokie Highlands adjacent to the Norvin Green State Forest. In 1921 Camp Midvale was founded as a haven for working people seeking refuge, recreation, community, and nature by a group of outdoor enthusiasts called the Nature Friends. In 1935, Nature Friends volunteers began carving the present pool out of the hillside and the pool opened for swimming in the summer of 1936.

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In 1974, Walter and May Weis provided an endowment in order to realize their dream of preserving land for the purpose of environmental education. Thus the former Camp Midvale property became the Weis Ecology Center (WEC), a private, non-profit organization created to offer the public a unique opportunity to learn about the Northern New Jersey Highlands Region.

The WEC later became one of New Jersey Audubon Society's centers. Swimming and recreation were not part of their mission and thus they closed the pool in 1994.

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In 1995, New Jersey Audubon agreed to allow the community to open the pool and in 1996 The Community Association of the Highlands incorporated, reopening the site as the Highlands Pool. In 1998, NJAS/WEC formally donated the pool to the community. Today the pool is a 501(c)3 non-profit community-owned and operated facility. Listed as one of "The 21 Places in New Jersey You Need to Visit in 2021" and named the best swimming hole in New Jersey.