Tomahawk Lake Water Park
Tomahawk Lake Water Park
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  • ab1324
    Morris County, New Jersey139 contributions
    You get what you pay for
    This was our first time here. If you are expecting a Great Wolf Lodge or Aquatopia type of “water park” you’ll be sorely disappointed. It’s literally a small lake with a few slides. We pulled up and the girl who was the parking attendant counted how many people are in your party and immediately collects the admission fee. As we started to drive past the lady that was working with her yells out loud “Did they pay” to the girl who took our money. Very bizarre. We get to the park and I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was not that crowded. They have picnic tables that are reserved and some that are not. We were going to sit at a picnic table but then decided to sit on the beach area. You can bring your own food which is a huge plus. We then go to buy wristband tickets and we waited 10 minutes in line for the worker to show up. Then she gets there and starts fiddling with everything in the area before she finally looks up to help us. She did explain everything clearly and was friendly so that somewhat made up for the way it began. Our biggest source of frustration was the layout of the 4 ft and under area ( Papoose land) And then the secondary area for kids 5 feet and under. The area for the 5 feet and under children was completely mis -matched to the area for the small kids. There were a few lily pads to climb on and literally one bucket that dumped water on you. The smaller kids area had several slides, lily pads, multiple water buckets. It was obvious the lifeguards weren’t enforcing the 4 ft and under rule so we finally told our two older kids to go play over there too otherwise they would’ve been bored out of their mind all day. The slides were ok but one of them the kids climbed up and waited 10 minutes and then we finally told them to come back down and it turns out the lifeguard wasn’t going to get back till 1 o’clock. It was literally 12 o’clock. The person running the ride should’ve said to the kids why don’t you go back down and come back later instead of having them stand there before we finally told them to come back down ourselves. They had live music later on in the day by the bar which was pretty nice. Overall it’s a fairly inexpensive place for the family to go for the day but if you are expecting anything elaborate you will be disappointed. The phrase “you get what you pay “for definitely applies here.
    Visited June 2021
    Traveled with family
    Written June 6, 2021
  • Dogbones
    4 contributions
    Average but one and done
    Visited with 6 people and entrance fee into lake is expensive. 15 dollars per person, which would be fine if your party has people under 4 and 5 feet tall. They have water activities in the lake however they are for kids under that height restriction. So, the Waterslide portion is additional 15 dollars per person. The problem for me is the 15 dollar per person price just to get in. Seems like 5 bucks would be fair, considering the other factors. I can go to a Jersey shore beach for about 7 bucks per person. Decent place as a one and done, especially with teens over 5 feet tall, which my family happens to be.
    Visited August 2022
    Traveled with family
    Written August 4, 2022
  • Patrick C
    1 contribution
    Customer service ladies come on!
    This should be a great place to spend a day but the grumpy staff often ruin the day. They really need to understand that treating customers well will pay down the road. The staff apart the park is clean and the kids have fun.
    Visited June 2021
    Traveled with family
    Written June 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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3.0
55 reviews
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Robert H
Westfield, NJ1 contribution
Jun 2021
I went here for father's day weekend and had an amazing time and was very impressed with this place. There are so many great things about Lake Tomahawk. First, the beach on the lake is great because there are large open spaces for people who want to get some sun and there are also large shady areas under big trees for people who want to stay in the shade. This itself is a great feature. The beach also does not get overly crowded.

There are two separate areas in the lake for little kids to play in and they had small slides , fountains, etc. My kids loved these play areas. There are also bigger water slides for older kids for an extra fee.

I was really impressed that this place does not skimp or cut corners. For example, the bathrooms are all air conditioned and were very clean at all times of the day. There were also plenty of life guards and each slide always had at least two lifeguards even in the morning when no kids were going down the slides.

There was live music, which was a pleasant surprise in the form of a guitar player/singer. The music was the right volume and not too loud. There was also a bar that made frozen drinks, a snack bar and an ice cream trailer.

There are also lots and lots of picnic tables in the shade where people can barbeque.

The time flew by and my wife and our 3 kids loved this place. We will definitely be going back soon.
Written June 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Trip Advice
1 contribution
Aug 2019
The lake and all the amenities are filthy. They serve alcohol and allow alcohol on the premises. Complete irresponsibility all around from the owners and the patrons. Not safe at all. Almost every year someone drowns in the lake and/or kills someone driving home drunk. Do your research before visiting this horrific so called water park.....
Written June 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Keith S
Morristown, NJ5 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
If you enjoy the party atmosphere of a Third World country then you'll love this place. I suppose I should blame myself since we went on a Sunday, so maybe you'll have better luck going on a weekday. I have no desire to ever go back.
Written July 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mel k
6 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
The place is like the perfect 80's lakeside summer movie set. It has a lake with a few added bonuses, like a kiddie area and under 5' zone and a general admission lake. Do not expect it to be a water park like Great Wolf Lodge. It's a glorified lake experience. There were paddle boats, mini golf, good stand, trading post with sand toys, camping supplies, clothes, etc. Food stand, seemed to be a bar serving alcohol... The kids had a blast, and I'll be going back. The bathroom by the beach was like going camping. What can you do with a family these days for cheaper?? Set your expectations appropriately and you'll be happy!!
Written July 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Trusting R
Denville, NJ1 contribution
Jul 2013 • Family
The park was inherited by three siblings who never get along and scream and curse through the employees walkie-talkies. They are cheap and abuse their power to create an unpleasant stay for the families visiting. The parking attendants make you park too close to other cars. If you arrive late and own a semi-large car they will have you park farther than any other car in the lots. Its grass parking on all but one of the parking lots and full of uneven terrain. If you come at the wrong time you might end up being parked on an annoying hill. The parking is NOT free because they have you pay for each person in the car before you park which includes the use of the beach and grounds, not the waterslides, golf, or boats. The staff is unhappy and are forced to apply all of the park's many rules including the one where you can not be with your child in one certain area of the lake, no matter how old they are. No excuses. Later on in the day they take the parking attendants away from the parking lots and give them life guarding positions that apparently "aren't considered life guarding positions." Don't believe the "crystal clear" lake water because you can feel the algae and grime on you after you get out of the mucky liquid. The slides haven't changed in decades and look like they're held up by duck tape. The boats smell like urine and the ores are falling apart on each on. The golf course is never cleaned and shouldn't be used. The area is infested with bees and a mixture of latino music is heard wherever you walk. The bathrooms are out-dated and never cleaned or fixed. The stall doors barely lock if they even do and the sinks are weak. The ground is flooded with liquid so I wouldn't suggest going in without shoes or sandals. I will never take my kids here again and wont let anyone I know go there for their own sake. Don't waste your money, drive the extra 30 - 45 minutes and go to either Camel Beach Water Park or Mountain Creek have a much better time. You won't get your moneys worth and you will waste a day of you go to Tomahawk Lake "Water Park."
Written July 14, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AzoresPrincess
new Jersey4 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
We decided to do something different this year for 4th of July....worst $60.00 I ever spent....never again will we visit this attraction. They allow visitors to bring in grills, food and liquior which is fine if it was well managed. Every Lake that I have visited has a designated area to grill this place was free for all where ever you found a spot a grill was placed which to me is a fire hazard. They even had people picnicing where the minature golf was on th course so if anyone wanted to play minature golf they were out of luck. They should not allow alchohol to be brought in..it created the wrong clientel. The views are beautiful but overall this place needs updating especially the bathrooms it was just disgusting...we had to put tiolet paper up our noses in order to be able to use the facilities without throwing up and they were disgusting I don't anyone has cleaned those bathrooms in years. There was one instance where the lifeguard was speaking to teens to stop hanging on the floating deck and they turned around got on top of the floating deck and threw the life guard into the water...at this point this is when I told my husband lets get out of here before a riot breaks out. The way this place is set up and poorly managed attracts the wrong clientel. I would not recommend this place to anyone. It's a shame because this place does have beautiful views my suggestion raise the price to all inclusive price for water rides as well as paddle boats, ect. (which currently is $15.00 to get in and then everything else is extra) and use the money to fix up place and it will definitely generate a more respectful crowd.
Written July 5, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TLBHoboken_NewJersey
Hoboken, New Jersey25 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
I took 11 children and 3 adults to Tomahawk Lake on Saturday 7/25/15 for a birthday party. Starting Monday at 2 am, the first of 6 of the kids began violently vomiting and diarrhea. I contacted the Sussex County health department. After speaking with two individuals and answering a barrage of questions, we all concluded it was likely the water. The children that did not get sick were the ones that did not put their heads under water or stayed on the non-lake water slides. The health dept tested the water on Wednesday and requested I have my kids tested for ecoli. They said even if sample comes back clean from Wednesday, it doesn't mean there wasn't a problem on Saturday. Personally, I think it could be norovirus in the water but that's just my guess. Someone suggested I at least seek a refund of the $361 I paid for park entry and water slides which I thought was a good idea. When I reached out to them, I was told a flat out no - basically I couldn't prove it was the waterpark. Great business practices. Lesson learned - don't swim in water where there are lots of young children wearing useless water diapers that can spread norovirus and ecoli. And if that's not enough - lifeguards are rude and park is a dive. I would give 0 stars if possible.
Written July 31, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ChrisHud1972
Keyport, NJ3 contributions
Aug 2012 • Family
I have been going for a few years but this year will be our last. The restrooms are so dilapadated and in disrepair that I can no longer take my family in to change there. Fixtures are broken, soap dispensers don't work, toilets are old and in need of new seats, eye hooks to shut doors offer no privacy. It has become too costly for a family to spend the day as everything costs extra and is not reasonably priced. The beach is crowded and the lifeguards do not maintain a safe place for the older kids. They do not police the equipment and allow the kids to pile on the floats and jump onto eachother's heads. Parents are not permitted to go in the water and watch which is ridiculous and dangerous because the 15yr old lifeguards are not interested in keeping the area safe from their chairs. There are garbage cans every four feet on the beach and the flies and bees are out of control. We will not be returning. The website looks fantastic but please don't be fooled.
Written September 2, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David V
1 contribution
Aug 2018 • Family
I made a reservation for 75 people and need it a particular accommodation so I was directed to speak to Mark (vice-president/manager) he was so rude he sounded more like a bouncer in a bar than a manager of any kind of business that deals with families, a turn off, I'm trying to cancel the reservation
Written August 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Amy O
New York City, NY70 contributions
Jun 2017 • Family
We come here a few times a summer. I love the old-school lake vibe, the water is clean, the surroundings are lovely and green, and the size is really manageable with younger kids. But the staff here is sort of ridiculously rude. It's hard to explain...almost zombie like. When you approach them, they either meet you with an empty stare or seem disgusted that you would try to communicate with them, including the person at the ticket booth. When they do respond, it's often incoherent.

This was the first year my kids were big enough for some of the more advanced slides, and I needed to ask some questions about how things worked - necessary because there are no posted instructions about how to exit the water, and it wasn't crowded, so I couldn't watch other kids doing it to find out. I was stared at as though I was from another planet.

The exception was the man who helped us exit from large blue waterslide - I think he was the only person that smiled at us all day!

Advice for parents, though the cut off height for the more advanced slides is 4 feet (about 6 years old)...you really do need to be a VERY strong swimmer for the slides that empty into the lake (except the easier blue one, since you remain in the raft for that one and an attendant helps you). The reason is that you need to be able to swim your raft back to the ramp (ie, swim with one hand) in deep water with a slight current. My 8 year old was able to do this but my 6 year old could not. For Geronimo, you need to be able to carry a large heavy sled up a few flights of stairs (which my fit and strong 8 year old could not do), and then swim it back.

Anyway- overall I really like this place and my kids LOVE it. I just wish the staff didn't seem so miserable. It makes me think it must be a terrible place to work, which just bums me out.
Written July 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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