Cliff Jumping at Terrace Pond in Hewitt, New Jersey

About this spot

Terrace Pond is a glacial pond atop 1,380-foot Bearfort Mountain inside Wawayanda State Park, reached only on foot - the West Loop from a Clinton Road pull-off runs about 4.7 miles round trip over rocky, exposed ridgeline. No vehicle access and no fee, but swimming is officially banned: rangers patrol on weekends and issue summonses, because the pond has no safe entry or exit points, the water turns cold fast, and at least five people have drowned here since 2010, with rescue often arriving too late given how remote it is. The payoff is scenery - cliffside overlooks and a floating boardwalk on the north shore - not a swim.

Safety first. Cliff jumping is inherently dangerous and can cause serious injury or death. Conditions — water depth, submerged hazards, and access — change constantly. CliffScout is community-sourced reference information, not a guarantee a spot is safe. Always assess the conditions yourself before jumping, and never jump where you're unsure. You assume all risk.

Terrace Pond

About this spot

Watch & read