Essex County, NJ Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- General hours
- Dawn to 10:00 p.m.
- Reservations
- Dawn to dusk
- Highlawn / Orange Reservoir
- Until midnight
- Authority
- Code Ch. 74, sec. 74-7
Summary
Essex County parks are open to the public from dawn until 10:00 p.m., with several reservations closing at dusk. No person may be in a county park before or after posted hours without the Director's authorization, under Chapter 74.
All Essex County Parks shall be open to the public from dawn until 10:00 p.m. ... No person shall be in any County Park or Property before or after designated hours except as otherwise authorized or permitted by the Director.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4440876; v14 updated 2025-08-13; through 08-13-2025).
Full Breakdown
Essex County operates the first county park system in the United States, including Branch Brook Park and the South Mountain, Eagle Rock, Hilltop and Mills reservations. Under the county's Rules and Regulations for parks (Chapter 74 of the Code of the County of Essex, adopted by the Board of Chosen Freeholders under N.J.S.A. 40:41A-38), all Essex County parks are open to the public from dawn until 10:00 p.m., except that South Mountain Reservation, West Essex Park, Eagle Rock Reservation, Hilltop Reservation, Mills Reservation and Riker Hill Art Park close at dusk, while the Highlawn Pavilion complex and the Orange Reservoir pathway stay open until midnight. The Director may close any park at any time.
Violations & Fines
Being in a county park before or after posted hours without authorization violates Chapter 74 and is subject to enforcement by the Essex County Sheriff and penalties set in the park ordinance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Essex County parks close?
Can I be in a county park after hours?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Essex County
Compare Essex County to another location·View the New Jersey curfew laws overview
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