Short answer: Smoke Rise is a private, gated club community of about 900 homes inside Kinnelon, NJ, built around 19-acre Lake Kinnelon on wooded lots of roughly one to ten acres. Homes there pay the same Kinnelon property tax rate and attend the same public schools as the rest of town, plus club dues and architectural rules.
When buyers search Smoke Rise Kinnelon NJ, they are usually trying to decide one thing: is the gate, the lake and the club worth it compared with a house a mile away in Fayson Lakes or Kinnelon proper? Here is how the three parts of town compare, and what to check before you commit to one. For the full town overview, start with our guide to living in Kinnelon.
What Makes Smoke Rise Different
Smoke Rise began in November 1946, when John Talbot Sr. turned the former Kinney family estate into the Smoke Rise Club, one of the earliest club-plan communities in the country. A few things still set it apart:
- Two gates and private roads. Entry is only through the North Gate on Route 23 and the East Gate on Kinnelon Road, and the community has more than 40 miles of internal roadway.
- Club governance. Residents elect the club’s Board of Governors, which must approve residents’ building plans, so expect a review step for new construction and many home projects.
- The lake and the mountain. Lake Kinnelon, with the 1886 St. Hubert’s Chapel on its island, and Kitty Ann Mountain, the borough’s high point at about 1,140 feet, are both inside the gates.
- Varied architecture. The community was planned so that no two homes would look alike, on heavily wooded lots.
- Shared spots. The Community Church of Smoke Rise and the Smoke Rise Village Inn are open to members and non-members alike, and the community also has a tennis club and a Kinnelon Volunteer Fire Department firehouse.
Smoke Rise vs. Fayson Lakes vs. Kinnelon Proper
| Smoke Rise | Fayson Lakes | Kinnelon proper | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gated | Yes, two gated entrances | No | No |
| Founded | 1946 | 1925 | Borough formed 1922 |
| Water | 19-acre Lake Kinnelon | Three lakes (West, East, South) | Varies; some homes near smaller lakes and ponds |
| Typical lots | About 1 to 10 acres | Kinnelon’s highest-density section | Mixed |
| Association costs | Club dues and assessments; ask the club for current figures | 2026: $842 dues ($516 senior) plus $245 dam assessment | Generally none |
| Building changes | Board of Governors approval plus borough permits | Association rules plus borough permits | Borough permits |
| Property tax rate (2026) | Same borough rate everywhere: 2.954 per $100 of assessed value | ||
| Public schools | Same district everywhere: Kinnelon Public Schools | ||
The point that surprises many buyers: living in Smoke Rise does not change your tax rate or your school district. What changes is the lot, the setting, the club costs and the rules. We cover the tax math in detail in our post on Morris County property tax rates by town.
Questions to Ask Before Buying in Smoke Rise
- What are the current dues and any special assessments? Get them in writing, along with what they cover.
- What do the building rules allow? If you plan an addition, pool, fence or tree removal, learn the approval process before you sign.
- Are there rental or guest rules? This matters if you might lease the home later.
- Is the house lakefront, lake-view or interior? Lakefront homes on Lake Kinnelon are a distinct slice of the market, so compare like with like.
- Which gate is closer? The North Gate opens onto Route 23, the road toward the I-287 interchange in Riverdale; the East Gate opens onto Kinnelon Road.
Your attorney can request club documents and resolve open questions during the three-day attorney review period. On wooded lots anywhere in town, also ask whether the home has a private well or septic system, and plan a septic inspection if it does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smoke Rise its own town?
No. Smoke Rise is a private community entirely within the Borough of Kinnelon in Morris County. Residents use the Kinnelon address, ZIP code 07405, borough services and the Kinnelon Public Schools.
Do Smoke Rise homes pay higher property taxes?
Not at a higher rate. All Kinnelon homes pay the same 2026 rate of 2.954 per $100 of assessed value. Bills are often higher in Smoke Rise because many homes and lots are larger, and club dues are a separate cost.
Can anyone visit Smoke Rise?
The roads are private and gated. The Smoke Rise Village Inn and the Community Church of Smoke Rise are open to non-members; for anything else, contact the Smoke Rise Club.
How big is Smoke Rise?
About 900 homes on roughly 3,500 acres in the northwest part of Kinnelon, including Lake Kinnelon and Kitty Ann Mountain.
Sources
- Smoke Rise (community): history, gates, governance, amenities
- Kinnelon, New Jersey: club communities and geography
- Fayson Lakes Association (2026 membership dues statement)
- Morris County Board of Taxation: 2026 Tax Rates
- Kinnelon Public Schools
Talk to the MorrisAgent Team
Comparing a Smoke Rise home with one elsewhere in Kinnelon? We will pull the recent sales for each section so you can compare like with like. Call (973) 200-4800, email [email protected], or stop by our office at 518 Main Street, Suite 102, Boonton. No pressure, and no surprises.