Wanaque, NJ Properties | Susan Camus

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Wanaque is a borough in Passaic County, New Jersey, nestled in the Ramapo Mountains at the northern edge of the state's Highlands region. Incorporated in 1918 from portions of Pompton Township, it covers roughly eight square miles of residential neighborhoods, forested ridgelines, and lakefront. Its 2020 population was about 11,300. The borough's defining feature is the Wanaque Reservoir, one of the largest water-supply reservoirs in New Jersey, whose dam and shores occupy a substantial portion of the landscape. The reservoir provides drinking water to much of northern New Jersey and gives Wanaque a distinctly scenic, lake-oriented setting, with wooded ridges rising above the water. Wanaque grew through the twentieth century as a suburban community tied to the reservoir, local industry, and the broader regional economy. Its name and identity are inseparable from the watershed system and the protected Highlands landscape that surrounds it, and the borough has long balanced residential growth with the open space around it. The borough is part of the suburban ring of Passaic County, within commuting distance of New York City. Its housing stock is largely mid-20th-century — Cape Cod and colonial-style homes on well-kept lots with sidewalks and streetlights — reflecting its growth as a post-war suburb. The borough's schools include local elementary schools and the regional Lakeland Regional High School, and Passaic County Community College maintains the Wanaque Academic Center in town. Outdoor recreation is central to local life. Norvin Green State Forest, Ramapo and Rainbow lakes, and Back Beach Park offer hiking, fishing, and sports, while the larger Ringwood State Park and Wanaque Ridge trail system lie nearby. The Haskell neighborhood anchors much of the borough's residential and commercial life, and schools, sports leagues, and lakeside recreation give Wanaque a close-knit, family-oriented feel. The result is a borough that combines the convenience of North Jersey suburban living with unusually direct access to protected mountain and watershed landscapes.

Population 11,317

County Passaic

Active Listings 126

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Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Wanaque in?

Wanaque is a borough in Passaic County, New Jersey, located in the Ramapo Mountains of the state's northern Highlands region. It was incorporated in 1918 from portions of Pompton Township and covers roughly eight square miles.

What is the Wanaque Reservoir?

The Wanaque Reservoir is one of the largest water-supply reservoirs in New Jersey, occupying a substantial portion of Wanaque's landscape. It provides drinking water to much of northern New Jersey and frames the borough's scenic, lake-oriented setting.

What school district serves Wanaque?

What outdoor recreation is available in Wanaque?

Nearby Norvin Green State Forest offers hiking and the Wanaque Ridge trail loop, while Ramapo and Rainbow lakes provide fishing. Back Beach Park has sports fields and playgrounds, and Ringwood State Park lies nearby.

City Guide

About Wanaque

Real Estate & Housing

Wanaque's housing stock reflects its growth as a mid-20th-century suburb: Cape Cod and colonial-style homes on well-kept lots, many with driveways and detached garages, along residential streets with sidewalks and streetlights. Some newer and hillside properties take advantage of ridgeline and reservoir views. The borough is predominantly residential and owner-occupied, with a stable, family-oriented housing landscape set among lakes and protected forest.

Neighborhoods

Wanaque is a compact borough whose residential areas are interwoven with lakes and forest. The Haskell section of the borough anchors a large share of the residential and commercial fabric, while homes near the reservoir and along the Ramapo ridges offer water and mountain views. The borough shares school, shopping, and community ties with neighboring Ringwood and Pompton Lakes, giving residents a broader network of services within a short drive.

Lifestyle in Wanaque

Life in Wanaque balances suburban convenience with mountain recreation. Residents have immediate access to the Wanaque Reservoir viewshed, Norvin Green State Forest, and local lakes for hiking, fishing, and boating, while New York City and the retail corridors of Passaic and Bergen counties remain within commuting distance. The community is family-oriented, with schools, parks, and local sports anchoring the calendar throughout the year.

Schools & Education

Wanaque's students attend local elementary schools and the regional Lakeland Regional High School, which serves Wanaque and neighboring Ringwood. Passaic County Community College operates the Wanaque Academic Center in the borough, providing higher-education and continuing-education opportunities close to home. The combination of neighborhood elementary schools and a regional high school reflects the borough's role within a shared North Jersey school system.

Getting Around

Wanaque sits near Interstate 287, which provides the main highway link to the wider North Jersey region and connections toward New York City and the Route 23 corridor. The borough is primarily car-oriented, with county and local roads connecting to neighboring Ringwood, Pompton Lakes, and other Passaic County communities. Commuters benefit from the borough's position within the New York metropolitan commuting sphere, roughly an hour's drive from Manhattan.

Parks & Recreation

Wanaque's recreation is defined by its lakes and mountains. The Wanaque Reservoir frames the landscape, while Norvin Green State Forest offers miles of hiking trails and the Wanaque Ridge loop. Ramapo and Rainbow lakes provide fishing, and Back Beach Park offers sports fields and playgrounds. Nearby Ringwood State Park and the larger Highlands region expand the range of outdoor activities available year-round for hiking, boating, and nature recreation.

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