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New Jersey
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New Jersey State Parks

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USA Parks
New Jersey
Delaware River Region
Bass River State Forest
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Bass River State Forest Sunny day © Tat Chan
Sept, 2010
Bass River State Forest Enjoy the sun © Tat Chan
Sept, 2010
Bass River State Forest Sunday Afternoon © Tat Chan
Sept, 2010
Bass River State Forest Kayaker I © Eric M. Spinner
Man kayaking on the lake at Bass River.
Bass River State Forest © Eric M. Spinner
Bass River State Forest Kayaker II © Eric M. Spinner
Man Kayaking on the lake.
Bass River State Forest Pine Barrens Tree Frog © William F. Burns
Pine Barrens Tree Frog
Bass River State Forest Pine Barrens Tree Frog © William F. Burns
Pine Barrens Tree Frog
Bass River State Forest Pine Barrens Tree Frog © William F. Burns
Pine Barrens Tree Frog
Bass River State Forest Deer in Meadow © Eric M. Spinner
Captured an image of a deer grazing in the morning.
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BASS RIVER STATE FOREST
BASS RIVER STATE FOREST
762 Stage Rd
Tuckerton, New Jersey   08087

Phone: 609-296-1114
Bass River State Forest was the first forest acquired by the state of New Jersey in 1905 for public recreation, water conservation, and wildlife and timber management. Lake Absegami, a 67-acre lake created in the 1930's, is the center of the forest's recreational activities and provides an area for swimming and a serene setting for boating and canoeing. A trail through the Absegami Natural Area wanders through a pine/oak woods and a small Atlantic white cedar bog.
History of the Area
Bass River State Forest is located in New Jersey's Burlington and Ocean counties and is the first state forest established in the state. Its history can be traced back to the early 1900s when the state of New Jersey began acquiring land for the purpose of preserving and utilizing its natural resources.

In 1905, the New Jersey Legislature passed the Forest Park Reservation Act, providing funding for the creation of public forests and parks. This marked the initial steps towards the establishment of the state forest system. The state began acquiring land in 1905, and by 1908, the Bass River State Forest was officially designated as the first state forest in New Jersey.

Initially, Bass River State Forest was primarily used for its timber resources. Logging activities were conducted within the forest, with trees being harvested for their wood. However, by the 1930s, the timber industry declined, and the focus shifted towards recreational use and conservation.

During the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) played a significant role in developing the forest. CCC workers were employed to build infrastructure, including roads, trails, and recreational facilities. They also conducted reforestation efforts, planting trees and restoring the forest's natural ecosystem.
Cabins
Cabins: Six lakefront cabins with living room with double-deck bunk and fireplace; two bunk rooms with double-deck bunks; kitchen with running water, electric stove, refrigerator; bathroom with shower, toilet, and sink. Screened-in porch faces lake. Outdoor fire rings. Electricity. Each accommodates a maximum of six people. Cabins are located along the north shore of Lake Absegami. Open April 1 through October 31. $65 per night, $455 per week.
Camping
Campsites: 176 tent and trailer sites with fire rings and picnic tables. Flush toilets, showers and laundry facilities are within walking distance of all sites. No hook-ups provided. Each site accommodates a maximum of six campers, two vehicles (including trailers) and two tents. Trailer sanitary station is open March 1 through November 30. Campsites open all year. $20 per night.

Group Campsites: Six group campsites with water and pit toilets are within walking distance. Each site accommodates a maximum of 25 campers. Parking is directly on the site. Open all year. $25 per night

Lean-tos: Nine handicap accessible lean-tos each with a hardwood floor and a woodburning stove. Outdoor picnic table, fire ring and grill. Flush toilets, showers, and laundry facilities are within walking distance. Located on the south shore. Accommodates a maximum of six people. Open all year. $30 per night.

Shelters: Six lakeside shelters with two bunk rooms, one double-deck bunk in each room, a living room with a picnic table and bench, woodburning stove, fire ring and screened double door. Outdoor grill for cooking, table and benches. Flush toilets and shower facilities are nearby. Shelters are located along the north shore of Lake Absegami. Accommodates a maximum of four people. Open April 1 through October 31. $40 per night
Nearby Vacation Rentals
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Swimming
Swimming is permitted in Lake Absegami from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day while lifeguards are on duty. Visitors will find a beach complex containing changing area, restrooms, showers, a first-aid station and a concession building 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.
Boating
A public boat launch is located north of the recreational area parking lot. Powered boats are limited to electric motors only. A rowboat concession is operated during the summer months. Coast guard approved life preservers are required.

Canoeing
Boating/Canoeing

A public boat launch is located north of the recreational area parking lot. Powered boats are limited to electric motors only. A rowboat concession is operated during the summer months. Coast guard approved life preservers are required.



Picnicking
Located near the beach are 74 picnic tables with charcoal grills, a picnic shelter, restrooms, athletic field for games and playground. Pets are permitted at the picnic area on a six foot leash. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
Trails
Trails

Bass River State Forest has eight easy walking (non-ADA accessible) trails from 1 to 3.2 miles. The 1/2 mile self-guided Absegami Trail includes a wooden foot bridge with benches. All trails start at the second parking lot at the beach. Animals, birds and plant life of the Pine Barrens may be found. A trail brochure is available at the office, or on the portion of the Pink Trail that passes through the old Civilian Conservation Corps camp near East Greenbush Road. This guide describes the camp foundations.

Batona Trail

This easy walking trail, well marked with pink blazes, runs for 50 miles through Bass River State Forest, Wharton State Forest and Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, crossing streams and passing through forested areas that were once bustling towns with names such as Four Mile, Butler, Martha and Washington. This portion of the Batona Trail is maintained by the NJ State Park Service, Outdoor Club of South Jersey and the Batona Hiking Club.
Area Attractions
Absegami Natural Area (128 acres)

A nature trail loops through this wetland forest, where Atlantic white cedars share the canopy with red maple and magnolia. The Pinelands white cedar swamp and surrounding oak-pine forest community make up the Absegami Natural Area.

West Pine Plains Natural Area (3,830 acres)

This unique stunted forest ecosystem, known locally as the Pygmy Forest, is globally rare and supports an extensive forest of pine and oak trees that may obtain a canopy height of only four feet at maturity. New Jersey contains the largest acreage of this forest community type worldwide. The area also supports an endangered plant species - the broom crowberry - and numerous rare species of moths.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
September 10 Great Park by Mudget
park review stars; one to five Camp here often...best park in the area !!
August 18 Friendly and Welcoming by robin wahl
park review stars; one to five My friends and I wanted to try and ride our bikes from coast to coast in New Jersey, we stopped at this park to use the bathroom and maybe buy some water. The park ranger told us that we had to pay $2.00 each! Thank you....never visit this crap park.
August 30 very relaxing and peaceful by Patricia
park review stars; one to five Swimming ,walking and enjoying the Sun.The water is clean and warm, a pleasure to swim in. My family and I always have fun there.
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Area Campgrounds
Best Holiday-Holly Acres
218 South Frankfurt Avenue
Egg Harbor, NJ
609-965-2287
Baker's Acres Campground, Inc.
230 Willets Avenue
Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ
609-296-2664
Long Beach Island Trailer Park
19 Harding Avenue
Beach Haven, NJ
609-492-9151
Brookville Campground
224 Jones Road Box 169
Barnegat, NJ
609-698-3134
Long Beach RV Resort
Route 72 Box 30
Barnegat, NJ
609-698-5684
Wading Pines Camping Resort
85 Godfrey Bridge Road
Chatsworth, NJ
609-726-1313
Holly Acres Campground
218 Frankfurt Avenue
Egg Harbor City, NJ
609-965-5055
Atlantic Shore Pines Campground
450 Ishmael Road
Tuckerton, NJ
609-296-9163
Pomona RV Park & Campground
536 South Pomona Road
Galloway, NJ
609-965-2123
Belhaven Lake Resort Campground Inc
1213 Route 542
Greenbank, NJ
609-965-2827
Arrowhead Campground
Junction CR 679/653
New Gretna, NJ
609-296-8599
Chips Folly Campground
Route 653 Chips Folly Road
New Gretna, NJ
609-296-4434
Timberline Lake Camping Resort
Route 679
New Gretna, NJ
609-296-7900
Turtle Run Campground
Cedar Lane
New Gretna, NJ
609-965-5343
Baker's Acres Campground
230 Willets Avenue
Parkertown, NJ
Evergreen Woods Lakefront Resort
106 East Moss Mill Road
Pomona, NJ
609-652-1577
Atlantic Blueberry Hill RV Resort
283 Clarks Landing Road
Port Republic, NJ
609-652-1644
Chestnut Lake Resort
631 Old Chestnut Neck Rd.
Port Republic, NJ
Sea Pirate Campground
148 Route 9
West Creek, NJ
609-296-7400

Directions
Bass River State Forest is about 25 miles north of Atlantic City and six miles west of Tuckerton. Take the Garden State Parkway to exit 52 heading south and exit 50 heading north.

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New Jersey State Parks

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