Bergen County · Lakes & Woodlands · High Mountain Preserve · Franklin Avenue
Franklin Lakes, New Jersey
Franklin Lakes is a spacious, predominantly residential borough in northwestern Bergen County, known for wooded neighborhoods, lakes, large-lot housing, strong schools and an unusually large amount of preserved open space for the county.
Franklin Avenue and the Franklin Lake Road area provide the borough’s principal shopping and dining, while High Mountain Park Preserve, Parsons Pond Park and local recreation give Franklin Lakes a strong outdoors identity.
Franklin Lakes at a glance
A compact profile using current Census and municipal information.
Housing snapshot: Median owner-occupied home value $1.264M; median gross rent $3,230; mean travel time to work 36.5 min. Census values represent the 2020–2024 reporting period and are not live market prices.
History & identity
Franklin Lakes was incorporated in 1922. Its modern character combines older lake communities and historic homes with postwar suburban growth, estate neighborhoods, preserved ridgelines and carefully managed commercial areas.
Residential and shopping community immediately east.
Route 202 community west of Franklin Lakes with recreation and local commerce.
Large northern Bergen township with Ramapo Valley recreation, Route 17 hotels and business parks.
Business & community life
Franklin Lakes has its own local commercial pattern rather than a generic suburban mix.
The borough’s primary local-business corridor, with groceries, restaurants, banking, professional services and neighborhood retail.
Shopping centers and everyday services cluster around the central Franklin Lake Road area.
Smaller food, service and professional businesses serve residential sections without creating a dense downtown.
Parks, recreation & things to do
Large regional preserve spanning more than 1,000 acres, with wooded hiking trails and ridge scenery extending through Franklin Lakes and neighboring communities.
84-acre borough park at 500 Parsons Pond Road with ponds, streams, walking paths and athletic fields.
Local open-space destination for walking, nature observation and quiet recreation around former reservoir lands.
Community library with BCCLS resources, programs and local services.
The borough’s many lakes and wooded residential roads create a distinct landscape, though many lakefront areas are private or association-controlled.
Municipal sports, camps and community programming provide year-round local activity.
Schools & library
Franklin Lakes residents are served by local public-school and library systems with current calendars, programs and employment information available from official sources.
Getting around
Franklin Lakes is primarily automobile-oriented. Route 208, I-287, Route 17 and neighboring bus/rail hubs provide regional connections; travelers should check current NJ Transit schedules before relying on a specific service.
Transit reminder: Routes, platforms and schedules can change. Verify time-sensitive trips directly with NJ Transit.
Official resources
Borough of Franklin LakesGovernment, departments, meetings, forms, notices and resident services.Franklin Lakes Public SchoolsDistrict information, calendars, schools and employment resources.Franklin Lakes Public LibraryLibrary hours, BCCLS resources, programs and community services.Recreation & ParksMunicipal recreation, facilities, programs and seasonal information.
Nearby communities
Residential and shopping community immediately east.
Route 202 community west of Franklin Lakes with recreation and local commerce.
Large northern Bergen township with Ramapo Valley recreation, Route 17 hotels and business parks.
Passaic County neighbor south of the High Mountain area.
Major Passaic County retail and employment center south of Franklin Lakes.
Northern Bergen downtown, rail station and Route 17 shopping area.
Explore Franklin Lakes on NJTGO
Use the full seven-page guide for businesses, restaurants, real estate, visitor planning, community classifieds and employment.
Advertising & Enhanced ListingsFranklin Lakes government, Census, school, library, recreation, transit, business and community information was reviewed in September 2026. Programs, schedules, businesses and public information can change; verify time-sensitive details with the responsible organization.