If you’ve searched for the Playboy Club in Vernon, NJ, you’re probably looking for a piece of New Jersey history that still sparks curiosity decades later.
The famous resort might not be running anymore, but its story definitely did not stop when the doors closed. The property that used to welcome celebrities, vacationers, and weekend travelers from all over the Northeast is still finding new ways to evolve. Today, people still head out to Great Gorge for the incredible views, the outdoor activities, and the chance to just hang out with family and friends in one of the most unique landscapes New Jersey has to offer. In a lot of ways, the natural backdrop that made the original Great Gorge experience what it was is still very much alive and kicking.
A quick look back at the Playboy Club in Vernon, NJ
The Great Gorge Playboy Club originally opened its doors back in 1970, marking a major push to take the famous brand outside of big cities and into a full-scale resort setting. Tucked right into the Vernon hills, the massive property bundled together a resort hotel, a live entertainment venue, several restaurants, and a pristine golf course, creating a vacation spot that quickly became talk of the region.
People routinely drove up from New York City and all over North Jersey just to spend their weekends lounging at the resort. Memberships were a massive status symbol at the time, and guests were incredibly proud to carry the iconic key that unlocked the club’s doors. During its peak years, the resort constantly booked big-name entertainers and public figures, which really helped put Vernon on the map as the ultimate place to go for a bit of leisure and fun.
What made Great Gorge stick in everyone’s memory
A huge part of why the place became so legendary was simply the location. Long before people were constantly searching the web for weekend getaways, Great Gorge offered the exact escape everyone was craving: a straightforward way to leave the noise of the city behind for a few days.
The mountains, thick woods, wide-open skies, and rolling hills created an environment that felt miles away from normal, everyday life. You could spend your entire afternoon out in the fresh air and then head inside for a great dinner, live shows, and plenty of socializing in the evening. It was that exact mix of nature and good company that made Great Gorge so memorable for generations of visitors.
The architecture of a getaway: designing for social chemistry
When you look back at how the original Great Gorge complex was built, the designers did something brilliant that modern hospitality is only just starting to copy again. They intentionally built the entire resort to break down social barriers. The main hotel lobby, the lounges, and the outdoor terraces were structured with circular seating pits, wide open sightlines, and shared pathways.
That exact architectural DNA is why the new 1Club layout feels so inherently comfortable and fun. Instead of partitioning the property into strict, isolated sports zones, the park golf course acts like a massive outdoor lounge. The holes are arranged so that groups are constantly moving alongside one another, sharing laughs over wild ricochets, and catching the same breeze coming off the valley. The music floating over the grass bridges the gap between the sports world and a relaxed backyard party. It takes the old 1970s philosophy, that a destination should actively help you make connections, and strips away the exclusive country club pretense, turning a casual afternoon game into the ultimate modern social hub.
What happened to the Playboy Club?
Over time, the Playboy brand shifted its focus and the Vernon property eventually changed ownership.
Like many resort destinations from that era, the property experienced periods of transition. Portions of the resort were redeveloped, while other parts closed to the public.
One piece of Great Gorge’s history, however, remained remarkably resilient: the golf course.
The course continued operating through ownership changes and became one of the property’s most enduring features.
The Great Gorge revival
A new chapter began in 2016 when the Koffman family purchased Great Gorge Golf Club.
Restoration efforts began almost immediately. The focus was on improving course conditions, upgrading facilities, and preserving the unique character that had made Great Gorge special in the first place.
Today, the property includes 27 holes of golf spread across the Rail, Lake, and Quarry courses, all originally designed by renowned golf architect George Fazio.
Visitors can still experience many of the dramatic views and natural features that have defined Great Gorge for more than half a century.
A changing generation of recreation
While the setting remains familiar, the way people spend their leisure time has changed.
Many visitors today are looking for activities that are social, easy to join, and simple to fit into a weekend schedule.
That trend is visible across New Jersey.
According to the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism’s 2024 Economic Impact Study, the state welcomed a record 123.7 million visitors in 2024. Recreation spending surpassed $6 billion for the first time, while day visitation reached nearly 70 million trips, highlighting growing demand for outdoor experiences and local destinations.
People are still seeking what visitors sought decades ago: a reason to gather, relax, and spend meaningful time together. The activities may look different today, but the motivation feels surprisingly familiar.
How 1Club became part of Great Gorge’s next chapter
One of the newest additions to the Great Gorge story is 1Club.
Located on the property, 1Club introduces visitors to park golf, a sport that originated in Japan and was designed to be simple, social, and welcoming.
Unlike many recreational activities that require lessons or specialized equipment, park golf can be learned in just a few minutes.
Visitors use a single wooden club and one oversized ball while playing through a scenic outdoor course.
For many groups, the appeal is not competition. It is the conversation that happens between shots.
You can learn more about the sport on the About the Sport page and explore the basic rules before visiting.
A game designed for connection
One reason park golf fits so naturally into Great Gorge is that it brings people together in a way that feels effortless.
Some visitors arrive with families. Others come with coworkers, friends, or neighbors. Many have never played before.
That usually stops mattering within the first few holes.
The game is easy to understand, which means people spend less time figuring things out and more time enjoying the experience. There is plenty of room for a little bit of friendly competition, but there is also more than enough space for casual conversation, lots of laughs, and those occasional lucky shots that absolutely nobody saw coming. It is really the kind of activity where everyone can jump in and have a great time, no matter how old they are or whether they have ever picked up a club before.
More than a game: the atmosphere at 1Club
A massive part of what makes 1Club stand out is the actual environment. The entire course is built right into the natural landscape of Great Gorge, meaning you are completely surrounded by thick greenery, wide scenic views, and the kind of fresh air that makes it incredibly easy to just lose track of time for a few hours.
Music drifts across the greens from a dedicated outdoor sound system, giving the whole place a fun, upbeat energy without ever being so loud that you have to yell over it to talk. Once you finish up your round, most groups wander over to Hef’s Hideaway, the bar right on the property. The menu there is fully loaded with handcrafted cocktails, great mocktails, local beers on tap, and plenty of other refreshments built for a completely laid-back afternoon with friends.
For those arriving hungry, Hef’s Hut serves elevated comfort food including smoked wings, crispy chicken bao, baby back ribs, and the Hef’s Hut Burger.
Visitors can browse upcoming events through the calendar or explore recent photos in the gallery.
Why the spirit of Great Gorge still feels alive
The Great Gorge of 2026 is very different from the Great Gorge of 1970.
The famous resort belongs to another era. The culture is different. The expectations are different.
Yet there is something surprisingly familiar about what continues to draw people here.
People still come for the scenery.
They still come to spend time together.
They still come looking for a break from routine.
The names may have changed, but the underlying idea remains remarkably consistent: creating a place where people can gather, unwind, and leave with a few good stories to tell afterward.
In that sense, the legacy of Great Gorge continues, one new generation at a time.
From a legendary resort to a new kind of gathering place
Vernon’s Great Gorge property still carries the memory of its resort era, but today it is also a place for golf, park golf, and outdoor time with friends and family.
The story in brief
The Great Gorge Playboy Club opened in 1970 as a destination resort with golf, dining, entertainment, and a strong social scene. Its hillside setting became part of the appeal, giving visitors a true escape from city life.
A resort built for status and leisure
Guests came for the hotel, live entertainment, restaurants, and the iconic membership experience.
Vernon’s hills did the heavy lifting
Woods, ridgelines, and open sky made the property feel far removed from everyday routine.
A golf property that kept evolving
The golf course remained an enduring part of Great Gorge and was later restored and expanded.
1Club brings park golf to the landscape
A simple, social game now adds a fresh outdoor experience to the same scenic property.
Frequently asked questions
Was there actually a Playboy Club in Vernon, NJ?
There really was. The Great Gorge Playboy Club opened its doors back in 1970 as a major flagship resort for the brand, and it quickly became one of the biggest vacation and entertainment hotspots in the entire region.
What ended up happening to the original resort?
Once Playboy wrapped up its involvement, the property changed hands a few times over the decades. While the old resort hotel does not run anymore, parts of the massive property have been completely reimagined and continue to evolve today.
Can you still go out and visit Great Gorge now?
You absolutely can. Great Gorge is still a very busy and active destination in Vernon. People head out there all the time for regular golf, outdoor recreation, great dining, private events, and newer attractions like 1Club.
What exactly is 1Club?
It is a dedicated park golf destination right on the Great Gorge grounds. The whole game is built around using just one specific club and one ball, making it incredibly simple and easy to pick up for anyone, regardless of age or skill level.
Is park golf just another name for regular golf?
Not quite. It actually has its own unique rules and specialized equipment. The sport originally started in Japan as a highly accessible outdoor activity meant to be simple to learn and completely stress-free for families, friends, and first-timers.
Where can I go to get more details on 1Club?
Your best bet is to jump over to the main 1Club website. Out there, you can map out the Vernon location, get a breakdown of how the sport works, check out the upcoming event calendar, or look through the gallery to see what the course layout actually looks like.