Why Mountain Lakes, NJ?
Mountain Lakes is a planned Arts and Crafts community founded by Herbert Hapgood in 1910 around seven man-made lakes — one of the largest collections of Craftsman-influenced houses in the United States, with 454 of the original 500 Hapgood homes still standing. Listed on both the NJ and National Register of Historic Places (September 7, 2005). The Mountain Lakes School District is ranked #1 in Morris County by Niche with 86% holding four-year degrees — the highest educational attainment of any Morris County community. The Grimes Homestead served as an Underground Railroad way station. At $1.17M median (up 12% YoY), under 4,500 residents share private lake beaches, the Mountain Lakes Club (since 1914), and 547-acre Tourne County Park.
Mountain Lakes Real Estate Market in 2026
Mountain Lakes homes average $1.17M — up 12% year over year. Arts and Crafts, Tudor, Prairie, Colonial, and Dutch Revival styles on wooded lake-adjacent lots. Range from $500K to $4M+. Property taxes among Morris County's highest at $20,471 median. Only 1,429 housing units with 3.7% vacancy — inventory is perpetually scarce. 98.77% white-collar workforce. 45.6% of households earn $200K+.
Best Neighborhoods in Mountain Lakes
4 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character and price range
Birchwood / Crystal Lake Area
$1,000,000 to $2,500,000+Near the private lakes acquired by the borough in 1952 (250 acres). Private beach access, boating, swimming. Premium Hapgood-era homes with lake views.
Mountain Lake / Wildwood Lake Area
$900,000 to $1,800,000Near Mountain Lake (home of the Mountain Lakes Club) and Wildwood Lake. Original Hapgood homes — Manor House, Semi-Bungalow, and Swiss Chalet styles in puddingstone and stucco.
Station Area
$800,000 to $1,200,000Walking distance to NJ Transit Mountain Lakes Station (completed November 1912). Original railroad station building. Montclair-Boonton Line service.
Shadow / Sunset / Cove Lake Area
$750,000 to $1,300,000Quieter lake sections with wooded lots. Mix of original Hapgood homes and post-WWII Fox Development homes (67 smaller homes for returning veterans).
Commuting from Mountain Lakes to NYC
Source: NJ Transit schedules, June 2026. Peak hour commute times.
Walkability and Livability in Mountain Lakes
How easy is it to live car-free or car-light in Mountain Lakes?
Mountain Lakes Schools and Ratings
Mountain Lakes School District ranked #1 in Morris County (Niche, A+). Student-teacher ratio 9.2:1. Wildwood Elementary (K-5, 428 students, SchoolDigger #24 in NJ, 5-star). Briarcliff Middle School (6-8, 281 students, SchoolDigger #12 in NJ, 5-star). Mountain Lakes High School (9-12, 641 students, top 9.7% in NJ, ranked #7 public HS in NJ by NJ Monthly 2012). Also: Lake Drive School (regional, PreK-8, 57 students serving deaf/hard of hearing from 12 NJ counties) and The Craig School (private, grades 2-12, 130 students).
Source: NCES CCD 2023 to 2024, NJDOE NJSLA 2024 to 2025
Lake Drive Program for Hearing Impaired
Briarcliff Middle School
Wildwood Elementary School
Mountain Lakes High School
Mountain Lakes vs Neighboring Towns: Cost Comparison
| City | Median Price | Tax Rate | Annual Tax | NYC Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Lakes | $1,174,000 | 2.01% | $20,471 | 55 min |
| Boonton | $480,000 | 2.67% | $9,876 | 52 min |
| Chatham Borough | $1,240,000 | 2.12% | $20,500 | 42 min |
Where to Eat in Mountain Lakes
In Mountain Lakes
Hapgoods (traditional American named after founder Herbert Hapgood), The Station at Mountain Lakes (23-year-old restaurant in historic train station building), Barka Steak and Seafood (20+ years, Mediterranean, wood-oven pizza), Paul's Family Diner (65+ years, family-owned American). Mountain Lakes Club dining (members only, The 71 Lounge with lake views, since 1914). 11 restaurants within 1 mile, 100 within 3 miles.
Nearby
Denville Broadway district (NJ Monthly's Dessert Capital), Boonton Main Street revival, and Morristown's 100+ restaurant downtown all within 10 minutes.
Parks and Recreation in Mountain Lakes
The Tourne (Richard M. Wilcox Park)
547 acres spanning Mountain Lakes, Denville, Boonton Township, and Parsippany. Over 25 miles of trails. Peak elevation 897 feet with panoramic NYC skyline views from The New York Overlook. 9/11 Memorial at the summit. Morris County Park Commission acquired initial 219 acres in 1958, opened 1960. Named from the Dutch word for lookout.
Mountain Lakes Private Lakes
Seven man-made lakes: Birchwood, Crystal, Mountain, Shadow, Sunset, Wildwood, and Cove. Private beaches at Birchwood and Mountain Lakes. Open sunrise to sunset; facilities 10AM-6PM June-August. Resident badge required.
Halsey Frederick Park
Access from Powerville Road. Sports fields, surrounding woods. Contains a 250-300 year old white oak tree (a Mountain Lakes living treasure). Named for important early mayor Halsey Frederick.
New Development and Growth in Mountain Lakes
History of Mountain Lakes, NJ
Founded 1910 by Herbert J. Hapgood (Long Island developer) during the height of the Arts and Crafts movement. Landscape engineer Arthur T. Holton designed the community. Hapgood was influenced by Gustav Stickley, the leading American Arts and Crafts designer, who lived in nearby Morris Plains.
First family moved in March 17, 1911: Lawrence W. Luellen (inventor of the Dixie Cup) at 46 Dartmouth Road. By June 1911, 50 families in residence. Railroad station completed November 1912. By 1923, 600 stucco houses built.
Three original house styles: Manor House, Semi-Bungalow, and Swiss Chalet. Built with puddingstone and fieldstone (Wisconsin glacier deposits), chestnut paneling, oak flooring. 454 of 500 original Hapgood homes remain.
Incorporated March 3, 1924 from portions of Boonton and Hanover Townships. Listed on NJ and National Register of Historic Places September 7, 2005.
The Grimes Homestead (late 18th century) served as an Underground Railroad way station. Dr. John Grimes (1802-1875), Quaker and anti-slavery advocate, hid fleeing slaves in a concealed closet. He published The New Jersey Freeman (abolitionist newspaper) and was arrested for harboring a runaway slave.
U.S. Navy's Underwater Sound Reference Laboratories were located in Mountain Lakes during WWII.
Mountain Lakes Club incorporated March 27, 1914. First event July 4, 1914. Now managed by Bobby Jones Links. Amenities: 3 Har-Tru tennis courts, swimming pool, lakefront beach, kayak slips, 4-lane bowling alley, The 71 Lounge dining.
Safety in Mountain Lakes
Mountain Lakes is safer than 91% of all U.S. cities. Zero murders, rapes, robberies, or assaults in 2024. Only 3 burglaries and 7 thefts reported. Violent crime 10.36x less than NJ average. 13 full-time officers serve the borough.
Notable Residents
Annual Events and Festivals
Frequently Asked Questions About Mountain Lakes, NJ
What is the median home price in Mountain Lakes, NJ?
The median home price is $1,174,000 as of 2026, with 12.0% year-over-year appreciation. Average $399/sqft, selling in 25 days.
How long is the commute from Mountain Lakes to NYC?
55 minutes via NJ Transit from Mountain Lakes Station on the Montclair-Boonton Line. Transfer required.
What are property taxes in Mountain Lakes, NJ?
Tax rate is 2.01%. Average homeowner pays $20,471/year. At the median price of $1,174,000, expect about $23,597/year.
What are the best neighborhoods in Mountain Lakes?
Birchwood / Crystal Lake Area ($1,000,000 to $2,500,000+). Mountain Lake / Wildwood Lake Area ($900,000 to $1,800,000). Station Area ($800,000 to $1,200,000). Shadow / Sunset / Cove Lake Area ($750,000 to $1,300,000). See the full guide above for all 4 neighborhoods.
Is Mountain Lakes safe?
Mountain Lakes is safer than 91% of all U.S. cities. Zero murders, rapes, robberies, or assaults in 2024. Only 3 burglaries and 7 thefts reported. Violent crime 10.36x less than NJ average. 13 full-time officers serve the borough.
How walkable is Mountain Lakes, NJ?
Walk Score of 35, rated "Car-Dependent." Median income $200,000, median age 41.7. 6% renter-occupied.
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