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Bass River State Forest
Nearby Parks:
Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge
Green Bank State Forest
Penn State Forest
Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
Absecon State Wildlife Management Areas
Absecon State Wildlife Management Area
Barnegat National Wildlife Refuge
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Sedge Islands State Wildlife Management Areas
Sedge Islands State Wildlife Management Area
Island Beach State Park
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| State Park Contact Information: |
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Bass River State Forest
762 Stage Rd
Tuckerton, New Jersey 08087
Phone: 609-296-1114
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Area Accommodations
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| Adopt-A-Park Contacts: |
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Photography: add your photos
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| State Park Overview: |
| 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. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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Best family outting
My family has been going to Bass River on day trips and camping trips since I was young and now I can enjoy taking my kids. It is family oriented and provides fun for all ages! We love it and would highly recommend it to any family looking to have some good quality time.
Written by mrsscheffmeyer
25-May-2008
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greatest park
this is the greatest park i ever took my daughter to she liked it and we think of going there more
(name not given)
30-Jun-2008
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Wonderful place for family get togethers
Very safe and clean place to take the grandchildren, they love it, We have started a new tradition. Taking the grands then Mom and Dad taking the children Its wonderful. Started going 5 years ago and will keep on going.
Written by zeady
3-Nov-2008
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great place to relax
nice lake i have bin going here four 26 years and still love it
Written by ubig
12-Nov-2008
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First Timer, Loved it...
Park was excellent, sites were big, and local access to everything. Even the showers were warm... Awesome place that I will be going back to in 2 weeks.
(name not given)
10-Aug-2009
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Long time visitor
When I was young we camped at Bass River for two weeks, every other summer for 20 years. I have just re-started that tradition with my family and we just returned from a fabulous weekend trip. The camp sites are nicely spaced and there are multiple bathrooms within walking distance of them all.
We had such a great time this weekend that we have already made reservations for the coming holiday weekends.
(name not given)
25-Aug-2009
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this place is awesome. the water is so clean. it waas my first time going and i cant wait to go back.
Written by jojeda
25-Aug-2009
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best camping in jersey
great memories here. perfect place.
Written by lovesnature
2-Jan-2010
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| 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 |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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.
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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. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Fishing
Fishing is subject to New Jersey's Fish and Wildlife Laws. Freshwater species are mainly pickerel, sunfish, and catfish. Fishing License are available nearby.
Hunting
Hunting is allowed in large parts of the forest and is subject to New Jersey's Fish and Wildlife Laws. Game found in the forest include deer, rabbit, and grouse. Contact the forest office for further details. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| B&Bs / Inns | |  | Manchester Inn Bed and Breakfast - Ocean Grove, NJ
The Manchester Inn, The Ocean Grove New Jersey Bed Breakfast and The Secret Garden Restaurant are steps from the white sandy beach and the gentle surf of the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy the cooling ocean breezes from our rocking chair porch while overlooking Ocean Pathway, Ocean Groves finest avenue!
Web Site: http://www.themanchesterinn.com/index.htm |
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| Bass River State Forest - BASS RIVER STATE FOREST New Gretna, Burlington County 23,257 acres. Directions : Access from Garden State Parkway exit 52 south, and exit 50 north. Directions: Located in Bass River Township ... | | Department of Environmental Protection - ... natural lands mgt. american revolution interpretation & education corporate partners Bass River State Forest Photo by Kelly M. Irwin Bass River State Forest Mailing Address: 762 Stage Road New ... | | Pine Barrens of New Jersey - Nature - ... Trouble State Park in Berkeley Township (732.793.0506), Bass River State Forest in New Gretna (609.296.1114) and Lebanon State ... Hat and ending in Bass River State Forest in Burlington County ... |
| 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. |
| Area Campgrounds | | |
| 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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