Ringwood is a borough of 11,735 residents (2020 Census) in northern Passaic County, set in the Ramapo Mountains along the New York State line. It covers about 28 square miles, much of it state parkland, lakes and watershed, and the Wanaque Reservoir runs through the middle of town. Voters approved forming the borough in 1918, after centuries of iron mining in the surrounding hills. Here's what to know before you buy, sell, rent or invest in Ringwood.

Why People Choose Ringwood

Land and water define Ringwood. The borough calls itself the "heart of the highlands," and its State Parks, lake communities, hiking trails and watersheds supply drinking water to millions of New Jersey residents. Ringwood State Park alone covers about 4,444 acres with roughly 50 miles of trails.

The town's history is still on view. For more than two centuries a succession of ironmasters lived at Ringwood Manor, which was donated to the State of New Jersey in 1938 and is now a National Historic Landmark District within the state park.

Getting Around: Commuting from Ringwood

• Bus: The Ringwood Park & Ride on Cannici Drive, off Skyline Drive next to the library, is served by NJ Transit route 196, an express to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, and route 197, which runs down Ringwood Avenue and stops at Willowbrook Mall on its way to New York. Parking in the lot requires a borough permit.
• Car: No state or interstate highway runs through Ringwood. The main roads are County Route 511 (Greenwood Lake Turnpike) and Skyline Drive (County Route 692), both of which connect to Interstate 287 in neighboring Wanaque and Oakland.
• Rail: Ringwood has no passenger rail station, so rail commuters drive to a station in another town.

Neighborhoods and Housing Types

Ringwood is a single-family town. According to the borough's housing plan, nearly 98% of homes are detached single-family houses, and there are no buildings with five or more units. The Census Bureau reports that about 96% of occupied homes are owner-occupied (2020–2024 estimates). What you'll find:

• Lake communities: The borough's zoning identifies historic lake communities around Cupsaw, Erskine, Upper Erskine and Skyline Lakes. Private lake associations in Stonetown, Cupsaw Lake, Erskine Lakes and Skyline Lakes offer membership for annual and initiation fees.
• Larger-lot areas: Zones east of the Wanaque Reservoir and along Stonetown and Westbrook Roads call for lots of 40,000 square feet, with even larger minimums in pockets along Sloatsburg Road, Margaret King Avenue and West Brook Road.
• Older homes: Most of the housing was built before 1980, with the 1950s and 1960s accounting for about half the stock. New construction is rare.
• Two-to-four family homes: A small number exist. The housing plan counts only a few dozen two-unit and three-to-four-unit buildings in the borough.

Buying a Home in Ringwood

A few things we help Ringwood buyers check:

• Septic and water: The borough's housing plan states that Ringwood lacks public sewer. Plan on a septic inspection, and we confirm whether the home is on public water or a private well so you can order the right tests.
• Highlands rules: All of Ringwood, about 18,230 acres, lies in the New Jersey Highlands Preservation Area. State rules can limit additions, new construction and land disturbance, so if you plan to expand, we confirm what applies to the lot before you commit.
• Lake association membership: If lake access matters to you, we find out which association covers the property, what the fees are and what membership includes.
• Older-home inspections: With most homes built before 1980, a thorough inspection of the roof, heating system, electrical service and foundation is essential.
• Flood map status: For any home on a lake or stream, we check FEMA flood maps and insurance needs early.
• Property taxes: Taxes are a major part of any New Jersey budget. We pull the current tax figure for every home you're considering.
• FHA buyers: FHA financing works for single-family homes, and if you find one of Ringwood's few two-to-four family properties, you can buy it with a low down payment as long as you live in one of the units.

Need financing? We can connect you with a lender for pre-approval before you start touring.

Selling Your Ringwood Home

Because Ringwood has so little new construction, buyers compare your home mostly against other older houses, and updates carry real weight. Value depends heavily on the specific property: lake association access, lot size and slope, septic condition, road access in winter and how much of the house has been modernized. We'll prepare a free comparative market analysis using recent sales of homes like yours, then market it across the MLS and every major online channel.

Renting and Investing in Ringwood

Rentals are scarce in Ringwood. With no apartment buildings, most rentals are single-family houses offered by individual owners, so renters should be ready to act quickly. We help renters find options that fit their budget and commute, and we help owners price, market and screen applicants. For investors, we'll walk through realistic rents, taxes, insurance, septic and Highlands restrictions so the numbers hold up before you buy.

Local Landmarks and Amenities

• Ringwood State Park, including Ringwood Manor at 1304 Sloatsburg Road and Shepherd Lake, with seasonal swimming, boating and picnicking
• New Jersey State Botanical Garden at Skylands, with 96 acres of gardens and Skylands Manor, on Morris Road
• Norvin Green State Forest
• Tranquility Ridge Park, a county park of more than 2,000 acres on the Ringwood and West Milford border
• Wanaque Reservoir
• Highlands Natural Pool on Snake Den Road, a stream-fed pool built in 1935
• Ringwood Public Library, 30 Cannici Drive
• Public schools: Ringwood Public School District (grades K–8) and Lakeland Regional High School in Wanaque, which serves Ringwood and Wanaque

Talk to a Local Broker

The Thompson Realty Group is a licensed New Jersey real estate brokerage based at 20 MacArthur Ave in Garfield, serving buyers, sellers, renters and investors across Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Passaic counties. Whether you're a first-time FHA buyer, a cash investor, or a homeowner wondering what your place is worth, we'll give you straight answers about Ringwood.

Call or text 201-928-5562 or book a free 15-minute consultation. You can also search every active New Jersey listing on our website.

Information on this page is provided for general guidance and is believed accurate as of October 2026. Programs, ordinances, taxes and transit schedules change, so please verify details for any specific property. Equal Housing Opportunity.