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Thompson Park is a wonderful place for a walk, run, hike or even just to sit and enjoy a sunny fall day.
We stayed one night on our way north. Once we pulled through the entrance, it was easy to forget you were in a city. Cute signs greeted us as we drove to the office. Not having a reservation, the park office staff member happily wrote down the sites available for the night and told us to drive through and pick the one that suited us best. We could come back once we unhooked and settled in. The sites were packed gravel, spacious, level, and clearly marked regarding sewer access. The roads were well maintained with trees cut back from the edges making it large rig friendly. A park worker was filling pot holes while we walked our dog. Dogs are allowed on a six foot leash. The splash pad was closed but I imagine it’s a big hit in the summer time. Plenty of hiking and biking paths along with water equipment rental. We will definitely add it to our list of favorites to return to in the future.

Hubby added: easy and close access to the interstate.
Gorgeous park, especially now that it’s fall. Very clean, with a playground in the shade and shelters. Perfect for families. It’s dog-friendly!

It’s very obvious that locals love this park - there were lots of people there on a warm, fall day. We were passing by on our way to NC and stopped there to walk out dog. I was pleasantly surprised by how cute the park is.

Entrance fee is $6 per adult and $3.5 per child.
Kali Gilbert
at 2023 Oct 29
Kali Gilbert
at 2023 Oct 29
Clean park featuring a dog park, paved trails, a pound, playground, and other activities. The resivor trail is currently my favorite. The monmouth county park system also offers a variety of classes and I do take pottery here as well.
Bill Vulpis
at 2023 Oct 28
Bill Vulpis
at 2023 Oct 28
Great park in Monmouth County. Something for everyone in your family. Hiking, biking, boating, walking, tennis, pickle ball, kids play ground.

Fall time foliage is beautiful
john szabo
at 2023 Oct 21
john szabo
at 2023 Oct 21
My go to place to run, walk, and chill as I find the need to clear my headspace from a busy day. Love it. Serene atmosphere. I am sure that I don’t take advantage of all the services that’s offered or participate in the different activities they provide during the year. I recommend visiting Thompson Park in beautiful Monmouth County.
Honestly, this is one of the most comforting parks I've ever been to. Beautiful views, nice trails, plenty of picture opportunities, and there's labels on the trails that are color coded so you don't get lost. There's a splash pad and a dog park too I believe. It's definitely a decent size and plenty of room for activities to do with family overall.
yehuda cohen
at 2023 Oct 02
yehuda cohen
at 2023 Oct 02
The most amazing lake in the galaxy!!! Should be added as the eighth wonder of the world and of the modern world!!!
Yen Li
at 2023 Sep 26
Yen Li
at 2023 Sep 26
Enjoyed a great Sunday in the park, and we spent almost 3 hours on the free adventure program. (Need to be there before 1pm to register for this Sunday program). There are plenty of BBQ, picnic areas, and places for kids to run around.
Mari Rodriguez
at 2023 Sep 19
Mari Rodriguez
at 2023 Sep 19
Walking around the lake is another activity that we look forward to. The pathway is well-maintained and offers great views of the water, and it's just the right distance for a family outing.

My kids particularly enjoy the creek area. It's a safe and engaging space for them to explore and get a little wet, under supervision of course. They love skipping stones, and just enjoying the simple pleasures that a creek can offer to young adventurers.

during the fall season. The foliage surrounding the lake transforms into an explosion of color, making it the perfect backdrop for some stunning photos and peaceful walks. It's such a serene environment to reconnect with nature.
Tatiana Hoover
at 2023 Sep 18
Tatiana Hoover
at 2023 Sep 18
Large beautiful park with lots of trails. Great for taking a leisurely bike ride or enjoying the park with your dog. We had a dog pack walk there today. Lots of parking available. Several bathrooms. Also, there are lots of paved trails making this park area very accessible for those who move differently. There are several call boxes distributed around the park, in case of emergency.
Love Adventure
at 2023 Sep 17
Love Adventure
at 2023 Sep 17
Took a walk there on a Sunday morning. Park is relatively clean. The way to hiking is not that hard to walk. The playground is spacious. Restrooms are ok. The park is dog friendly. The place is also great for family picnic.
El Fresita King
at 2023 Sep 13
El Fresita King
at 2023 Sep 13
Algo tranquilo para pasarlo muy bn en familia haciendo bbQ y bañándose
Patricia Benbow
at 2023 Aug 31
Patricia Benbow
at 2023 Aug 31
Love ❤️ 😍
We just camped here overnight. Nice large road coming in. We are in a 42' 5th wheel. It's as tall as motor homes so we always have to worry about trees. They are cut back nicely for a state park. I am glad we chose a spot in the lower loop (site 5), because the upper loop is not for big rigs in opinion. Staff was pleasant. We didn't get to enjoy any of the trails or splash pad but they looked to be very well marked and kept.
Love, love this park!!! It has almost everything. Amazing picnic area for small or large groups, splash pad and pond/lake for canoeing or paddle boarding. Of course there's camping.
But best of all are the trails! There's a small 2 mile trail that goes around the pond (very pretty), a 4 mi or so trail that sort of goes around that but then there are the biking/hiking trails 🥰. Even tho we're not in the mountains, you can get a narly climb in. Especially if you start at the main park and work your way up. At the top of one trail, you can see Two Notch and lots of sky. There are a couple of high points on the trail. Awesome for MTB. Yes, it does get sandy in several places, but just keep pedaling. Oh, and the trees, creek, deer, and all types of birds make this an even more enjoyable hike and bike area.
Nice state park in the Columbia area. There is a $6 entry fee per adult and $3.50 for kids. I ended up buying the SC state park yearly pass as I could apply today's entry fee. It has a nice 2 mile mostly shaded path around the lake and through the woods. There was a nice camp/ souvenir shop where one can also rent boats to take on the lake. We cooled down at the splash park after our hike. There is also camping available. It's a nice space and feels safe.
Lemme start with the negative; $6 fee and the only drinking water available is from spigots, mind you they sell drinks and have soda machines… The trails around the park are few, but well maintained and heavily shaded. There are sprawling picnic areas, a playground, restrooms and a few small pavilions. They do offer some watercraft rentals; fishing is also permitted. My favorite part was the tiny dams that drain out of the lake.
Yvette Andino
at 2023 Aug 08
Yvette Andino
at 2023 Aug 08
Great park with lots of BBQ areas for
You to bring your own bbq equipment. I recommend this park. However, I love lakes so Oakland lake is nice too
L Hunter
at 2023 Aug 07
L Hunter
at 2023 Aug 07
Nice place to kayak. Fishing can be good also. Clean place. Peaceful
Maribel Delgado
at 2023 Aug 06
Maribel Delgado
at 2023 Aug 06
Muy bonito lugar.
Buddy Thompson
at 2023 Aug 04
Buddy Thompson
at 2023 Aug 04
We had our High school AJ Day there and the park was clean and we had a blast.
Adwin Dueck
at 2023 Jul 04
Adwin Dueck
at 2023 Jul 04
Nice place to get out, swim, walk or boat but it’s usually quite full, especially evenings and weekends.
Vamshi Krishna
at 2023 Jun 26
Vamshi Krishna
at 2023 Jun 26
Nice lake with some activities
Han Stw
at 2023 Jun 24
Han Stw
at 2023 Jun 24
There is a paved and unpaved trail surrounding the lake
wendel ellis
at 2023 Jun 18
wendel ellis
at 2023 Jun 18
Beautiful, small lake abutting a large recreational park.
This is a wonderful and large park inside the forest and near a large lake. The park is very well maintained. very clean, the roads and paths for pedestrians are very neat. There are a lot of gazebos and there is a free towlet. There are also parking lots for mobile homes. per month. Entrance to the park is paid starting from 6 years old, for adults the price is $ 6 for children $ 3. There are bike roads and trails for those who like to walk. In short, I advise everyone, it was very good despite the rain.
Robert Cerda
at 2023 Jun 08
Robert Cerda
at 2023 Jun 08
I go to this park to ride a closed circuit. The trail is in good shape with only a few spots that will jolt you if you don’t watch for them. A complete circuit is about 3.5 miles. People do walk the trail, but it is not very crowded.
Ace
at 2023 Jun 05
Ace
at 2023 Jun 05
Unethical return policy. I paid for 2 hours worth of kayaking, we used one. We asked for our $20 back for the unused hour and were met with resistance. Not trying to say I didn't make a mistake by paying for 2 hours but it's the right thing to do. Will never be back
Anisul Tony
at 2023 May 18
Anisul Tony
at 2023 May 18
What an amazing place to go for a walk. If you walk through the woods, you would hear sounds of birds chirping. Absolutely amazing in the summer and fall. Summer is full of green trees and in the fall, fall foliage is really amazing as well. Highly recommended 10/10
Sesharao Nuthanki
at 2023 May 11
Sesharao Nuthanki
at 2023 May 11
Good place for walking
Jean
at 2023 May 08
Jean
at 2023 May 08
My daughter gives this place a 10/10. We went for a school trip and I had low expectations. It was a rainy morning but their center is indoors where they have animals for the kids to see and touch. They give great information about animals and their environment. The staff were very nice to the children and answered all questions these kids threw their way. They were patient and kind.

They take you on a short walk where you mostly see squirrels and birds. I like how our guide Erica lifted up a log to show the kids mushrooms and insects that lived underneath.

It was a cool experience .
Alyia Hicks
at 2023 Apr 28
Alyia Hicks
at 2023 Apr 28
I grew up coming to this park
Cb Coop
at 2023 Apr 26
Cb Coop
at 2023 Apr 26
Kayak practice lake. Only used a couple of times but close to home. Simple two dock boat ramp setup. Connected to one of Orland park's bigger parks.
Charles Gushue
at 2023 Apr 23
Charles Gushue
at 2023 Apr 23
I've heard nothing but good things about Lake Fatty, so I quit my job and trekked across the continent on foot to check it out. Brought my scuba gear because I heard the water was so clear it rivals Crater Lake. Was not disappointed! I ended up finding a gigantic underwater cavern and One-Eyed Willy's OTHER ship! Now I am living comfortably on 15th century dabloons I looted from the captain's quarters. I highly recommend a visit!
Kenn
at 2023 Apr 02
Kenn
at 2023 Apr 02
Great place for long walks or to get some fresh air.
Amazing sceneries.
Not many fishes to do fishing.
Fun place to go with kids, as there is a playground available.
Edward Kim
at 2023 Feb 10
Edward Kim
at 2023 Feb 10
Best park in Queens. Has everything from tennis courts to bike trails and even an adventure course. Nice BBQ area by Springfield Blvd. The paths here are scenic and they connect to Cunningham park as well. Personally like the Douglaston side of the park better but the whole area is great for getting fresh air and taking in nature
William Ceron
at 2023 Feb 06
William Ceron
at 2023 Feb 06
You can walk all around the lake and you can see the sunset that’s what I like about this lake
Tony
at 2023 Feb 05
Tony
at 2023 Feb 05
Not for fishing
Eric Joe
at 2022 Dec 27
Eric Joe
at 2022 Dec 27
Epic destination!
We drove from across the country to see this historic lake and let’s just say we were NOT disappointed.
A must see!! Bring the in-laws bring the whole family, they are going to Love it!!
Lizzy
at 2022 Oct 10
Lizzy
at 2022 Oct 10
Very peaceful, lots of seating, and picnic tables available 10/10.
Christine Alexander
at 2022 Oct 07
Christine Alexander
at 2022 Oct 07
Awesome lake with everything you need for camping, boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, etc.
Neal
at 2022 Sep 07
Neal
at 2022 Sep 07
Large outdoor area and lake
Wendy G
at 2022 Aug 14
Wendy G
at 2022 Aug 14
So very peaceful & serene ☺️
Richard Marrone
at 2022 Jul 19
Richard Marrone
at 2022 Jul 19
Whether it's walking the dog, out for a long run or a leisurely bike ride, Thompson Park is a perfect place for a day away. I am fortunate to live 2 miles or so away and go there often. Great for families or anyone who likes being outdoors. The bike trail is about 4 1/2 miles around with plenty of open areas to throw a frisbee or catch a baseball. Also a small lake and canoe rentals at times. You can launch a kayak if you have one but again it is not large lake.
Benito Garibay
at 2022 Jul 18
Benito Garibay
at 2022 Jul 18
Many outdoor areas to have a nice and pleasant experience. When fishing and caught a few drowbacks but was nice to see all the other aquatic life frogs, turtles etc. we grilled and was nice to be under a gazebo being it drizzled slightly. Culturally diverse park also & family friendly.
Dawn G
at 2022 Jun 26
Dawn G
at 2022 Jun 26
Went hiking at Thompson Park and took the Reservoir Loop which is 4.8 miles. Hiking through the woods was magical in a way and hard to believe I was still in NJ. The beautiful views of the Swimming River Reservoir and Marlu Lake were so breathtaking. I even met some dogs while hiking in the woods. I also took a walk to see some of the areas of the park. There are wide paved paths for running or walking your dog. There's an off-leash fenced in dog area. There are plenty of well-kept fields for different activities, a playground, creative arts center and you can go fishing and rent a canoe or kayak. The Visitor Center and landscape are incredibly beautiful. The Visitor Center was a mansion that belonged to the Thompson Family which was originally built in 1896. Due to a fire in 2006 that destroyed the family residence, it was rebuilt to retain its original beautiful structure and reopened in 2009 as an information center. Fun Fact: The Thompson estate was originally named Brookdale Farm and part of the estate became Brookdale Community College.
Melinda Jones
at 2022 Apr 29
Melinda Jones
at 2022 Apr 29
Best place to walking and making friends.
Great park and pond but I wish they had more trash cans. I came here over the summer and it was so clean but now that I frequent it in the winter its disgustingly trashy. Over the weekend they host youth sports and some of the patrons are just trifling.
naomi T
at 2022 Feb 08
naomi T
at 2022 Feb 08
👍🏻👍🏻
Ed Scott
at 2021 Oct 31
Ed Scott
at 2021 Oct 31
great place to chill and relax
I've lived up the hill from the Tucker Road sports complex for decades. I used to hear cows mooing from the nearby farm and crowds cheering when I did yardwork. I'd drive by several times a week and see the parking lot packed. However, I always visited the the community center on the other side of Tucker Rd because it had a weight room and a great trail through the woods along the creek.
One day I looked at a map to see what was on the sports complex side of Tucker Rd. and realized there was a pond. I'm kicking myself for not being curious enough to visit decades ago. It's a great place for a walk, run or sit. The pond is surrounded by redwoods with knobby roots, well spaced benches and a paved trail.
The parking lot and ball fields & courts might be packed with local teams and their screaming fans but the trails, exercise stations and fishing dock are pretty quiet. There's a strong sense of community with the regulars. Everyone you pass says hello, even dogs. The bathrooms are cleaner than some restaurants I've been too. There's even a solar charging spot if you need to charge your phone.
tony c
at 2021 Sep 27
tony c
at 2021 Sep 27
Unless they stock trout which they do in spring and fall. There really isn't any fish in this pond. Lots of turtles stealing bait. Some blue gills and a few bass. Once it gets warm.The pond will get filled with alge and pollen. There are some ducks and geese. For catching fish I would go elsewhere.
Eli Gold
at 2021 Aug 02
Eli Gold
at 2021 Aug 02
Beautiful view with lots of natural wildlife
Racial House Maid
at 2021 Jul 05
Racial House Maid
at 2021 Jul 05
Such a marvellous place. Clean fresh water you can practically drink. The water is calm yet exciting.
Raquel M
at 2021 Jun 28
Raquel M
at 2021 Jun 28
Went to Lake Fatty for the weekend and it was one of the most spectacular and beautiful lakes in all of Florida. I highly recommend coming here for a visit. You will not be disappointed! I will definitely be going back.
Lorenzo Ariyo-Lewis
at 2021 Jun 04
Lorenzo Ariyo-Lewis
at 2021 Jun 04
Had a blast
Edward Jacques
at 2021 Apr 02
Edward Jacques
at 2021 Apr 02
This is a local place called Lake Whetstone. Very popular for local residence. It's a joy to go there, walk around the lake, walk the dog, enjoy looking at the ducks, geese, etc. There's recreational areas for simple play areas for kids volley ball.
A great place to just relax for a short time and enjoy being outdoors in the sun and just relax. During the summer, you can rent a canoe or paddle boat and cruise around the lake for a short time, say 30 minutes to an hour. You will see fishermen by the lake just relaxing, enjoying casting their lines. I don't think they catch many fish. The big moment in the spring is watching the Blue herring in the trees caring for their new borns. Great place to spend a short time during the day and just relax.
Craig Walker
at 2021 Feb 17
Craig Walker
at 2021 Feb 17
Love to go here and walk around the park trails it's real nice looking place to go to just love it
Very peaceful slice of nature. Connects to Henson Creek Trail, which is a moderately trafficked trail that connects several neighborhoods to various outdoor activity spaces.
Laure Laura
at 2019 Nov 04
Laure Laura
at 2019 Nov 04
Very nice place to chill
Yolanda Williams
at 2018 Oct 18
Yolanda Williams
at 2018 Oct 18
Awesome experience I brought bread but sign saus Don't feef the birds alright. Small kid area. But granddaughter was done with nature. Enjoyed the sit down area on the water. Beautiful
Christina R.
at 2018 Jun 27
Christina R.
at 2018 Jun 27
Love renting paddle boats here!!! Staff is friendly and helpful, it's extremely reasonably priced & the boats are rather new. The lake is perfect and has a little island you can paddle near, which has tons of wildlife - turtles galore, ducks/geese, 2 blue herons!

There is free parking. It's only open on weekends and is so worth your time! Quiet, enjoyable, relaxing and never crowded.
Josh Sokol
at 2018 Jan 21
Josh Sokol
at 2018 Jan 21
Great place to bring family. Friendly people with plenty of paths along the lake. Great fishing lake for bass and pretty good for bluegill, crappie, catfish and carp. The baitfish are slightly undersized in comparison to the last 8 years or so. Stocking of more predator species like the tiger musky are attempting to rehabilitate the fishery. Please catch and release all species which are not permitted to be kept according to the lakes creel limit. Recent landscaping allows for more shore opportunities. Boat/Kayak fishing is a blast, but it is trolling motor only. (don't use the big motor) Overall it is a great fishery to bring the kids and the bass guys.
Louis Rainer
at 2016 Dec 14
Louis Rainer
at 2016 Dec 14
Small wooded area with overgrown pond. This was once one of Staten Island's secret gems
Louis Rainer
at 2016 Oct 26
Louis Rainer
at 2016 Oct 26
Small pond that leads to unmaintained trails through Arden Heights woods