Pools Around Howell Township: Where To Swim This Summer

HOWELL, NJ — Summer is just around the corner, and you may be planning now to find activities to keep the kids busy — and cool. Here are our absolute favorite places in and around Howell to spend a hot summer afternoon:

The state of New Jersey recently issued guidance for pools to follow, so they can safely operate during the coronavirus pandemic: https://www.nj.gov/health/ceohs/sanitation-safety/prb.shtml
So where near Howell can you take a dip? We've compiled this guide of our favorite pools, spray parks, lakes, water parks and beaches:

Howell Pointe Swim Club: 4,200-square-foot swim club featuring a gourmet cafe, air conditioned lounge and restroom facilities. Located in Freehold, the club offers three heated swimming pools (a 25-meter pool, a slide pool and a kiddie pool) as well as a basketball court, wall ball court, wiffle ball court, open recreation area and sand volleyball court). www.howellpointeswimclub.com/amenities

Candlewood Swim Club: Howell-based club offering tennis courts, picnic tables, Olympic-sized pool and kiddie pool, snack bar and supervised play for children. www.candlewoodswimclub.com

Monmouth Heights Swim & Racquet Club: With locations in Marlboro, Freehold and Manalapan, the club offers Olympic-size pools, kiddie pools, volleyball areas, tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds and more. www.mhsrc.club

Holmdel Swim Club and Recreation Center: Offers seasonal memberships to residents who live outside of Holmdel. 4 pools, including a main pool, a baby pool, a diving tank, and an intermediate pool. Playground, sand volleyball court, snack bar, swim team and tennis courts. https://www.holmdeltownship-nj…

Hazlet Pool and Tennis Club: Seasonal memberships are available for the recreation club, which is located in the municipal complex and features four pools (including an Olympic-size main pool, a diving tank, an intermediate pool and a splash pool) and tennis courts. A skate park, hockey rink and Veterans Park are also available on site.

Middletown Sports Complex: Outdoor swim club. It also offers the SPARK summer camp as well. https://www.middletownsc.com/s…

Hartshorne Woods Park: Great spot for hiking and while there is no official water or beach access, this huge park is located right on the Navesink River. Over closer to Oceanport, it's said that dolphins can be seen swimming every June in Blackberry Bay. Launch a kayak and go explore the Shrewsbury River.

The lake at Cheesequake State Park: There is a beautiful lake inside the park with a beach and swimming area with lifeguards. Swimming is permitted in Hooks Creek Lake from Memorial day weekend through Labor Day weekend while lifeguards are on duty. Visitors will find a beach complex containing changing area, restrooms, a first-aid station and a concession offering refreshments, novelties and beach supplies. Inner tubes, rafts and other flotation devices are not permitted in the swimming area. Only Coast Guard approved life jackets are permitted. Pets are prohibited on the beach. We recommend going early in the season; the water may still be chilly but it will be clean and clear. https://www.stateparks.com/che…

Ideal Beach: Sandy Hook's beaches are always beautiful, but Middletown's beaches make a nice option as well, especially if Sandy Hook gets too crowded or the parking lot closes for the day — or if you don't want to pay their increased parking fees for summer 2021. All of Middletown's beaches are free.

Highlands Beach and Navesink Beach in Sea Bright: Another great option if the Sandy Hook parking lots reach capacity for the day.

Marlboro Swim Club: Township club offering membership to residents and non-residents. The club offers four swimming pools, basketball courts, tennis, pickleball and paddle ball courts, two playgrounds and a snack bar. www.marlboro-nj.gov/signup

Is there a great pool, spray park or swim club we missed? Let us know in the comments or email nicole.rosenthal@patch.com.

With reporting by Carly Baldwin.