New Jersey's Crystal-Clear Glacial Lake Is A Scenic Swimming Destination With Beach Beauty

New Jersey is a popular summer haunt for coast-bound vacationers, many of whom descend on the beaches and boardwalks of the Jersey Shore. But if you want to hit the beach without having to deal with huge crowds, consider going inland to Lake Marcia, a crystal-clear body of water near New Jersey's borders with Pennsylvania and New York. Though far from the coast, Lake Marcia is a great place to swim, sunbathe, fish, and hike the trails of the Kittatinny Mountains. 

A spring-fed glacial lake, Marcia sits at 1,570 feet above sea level and covers around 20 acres of High Point State Park, a picturesque highland escape. The park also contains the High Point Monument, a brooding obelisk rising from the highest elevation in New Jersey, at 1,803 feet, which commemorates the state's war veterans. From here you'll get views across three states — New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania — and a rolling, mountainous landscape that's particularly arresting in fall.

Though the maximum depth of Lake Marcia is only around 14 feet — America's stunning great lakes plunge much deeper — it still attracts swimmers during the summer. This is aided by a cool breeze that sometimes whispers through the highland park and a pretty little beach for sunbathing on the lakeshore. From here, you can see the park's eponymous monument towering over the lake's northern rim and access changing rooms and a cash-only concession stand. Though it can get a little busy on summer weekends, Tripadvisor reviewers have praised Marcia's beach, the surrounding scenery, and the refreshing temperature of the water. Note, however, that swimming is only permitted when lifeguards are on duty, and the swimming area may close if staffing is unavailable. Rafts, inner tubes, and other flotation devices are prohibited, though Coast Guard-approved life jackets are allowed. There's also little shade on the beach, so a parasol or tarp is recommended. 

Hiking is another popular activity around Lake Marcia, thanks to the trails webbing High Point State Park. There are multiple routes marked out on AllTrails, a couple of which start from the northern end of Lake Marcia. The 3.4-mile Monument Loop Trail has some steep sections but rewards hikers with stunning views from the highest vantage point in New Jersey. A shorter 0.4-mile route makes a beeline for the monument via the gentler Old Trail. 

There are longer, more challenging trails, too, one of which joins the Appalachian Trail and guides you along the border with New York. Though this one is almost 12 miles long, it takes you into some secluded stretches of wilderness, through meadows, dense woodlands, fields of wildflowers, wetlands, and across varied mountain terrain. 

The park is open for day use, opening 8 a.m. to sunset from April through November and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in winter. That said, it also has camping and cabin accommodations. There are 50 well-appointed campsites along Sawmill Lake, 1.5 miles to the southwest, and cabins on the shore of Steenykill Lake, which is right next to Marcia. For bookings, head to the New Jersey Outdoors reservation website. If you're treating Lake Marcia as a day trip instead, the closest large cities are Allentown, an artsy Pennsylvania city with world-class food, and New York City, both of which are around two hours away by car.