Belleplain State Forest, a New Jersey State Forest located nearby Absecon, Cape May Court House and Egg Harbor Township

BELLEPLAIN STATE FOREST

Belleplain State Forest

Belleplain State Forest
'Pines of Belleplain'
© This gallery soley belongs to Jeffrey Berkes and images may not be downloaded or used in anyway with out the expressed written permission of Jeffrey Berkes.

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Tall Pines are commonly found in the park, there are many trails to hike and plenty of things to do and see. Maybee take a quick swin,canoe ride or kayak trip around Lake Nummy. And its open ALL YEAR LONG

Belleplain State Forest
'Welcome'
© This gallery soley belongs to Jeffrey Berkes and images may not be downloaded or used in anyway with out the expressed written permission of Jeffrey Berkes.

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Welcome to Belleplain State Forest

Belleplain State Forest
'Lake Nummy'
© This gallery soley belongs to Jeffrey Berkes and images may not be downloaded or used in anyway with out the expressed written permission of Jeffrey Berkes.

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There is nothing like waking up in the morning and taking a nice relaxing ride on the calm waters of Lake Nummy.

Belleplain State Forest
'Lake Nummy'
© This gallery soley belongs to Jeffrey Berkes and images may not be downloaded or used in anyway with out the expressed written permission of Jeffrey Berkes.

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Lake Nummy www.jeffberkesphotography.com

Belleplain State Forest
'Snow Camping'
© This gallery soley belongs to Jeffrey Berkes and images may not be downloaded or used in anyway with out the expressed written permission of Jeffrey Berkes.

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I love Belleplain because it supports serious outdoors men ,hikers and photographers. It opens up opportunities to be in nature during anytime of the year. I am a outdoor, extreme weather and nature freelance photographer, so when weather goes bad I got out to catch it. In this case an Alberta Clipper was sliding to the south of my location so I got in the car and headed to Belleplain. I know a lot about weather and knew Belleplain would be ground zero for the early season snow event. This is where I spent the night with 5inches of fresh snow and temperatures hovering around 10 above. more Photos at www.jeffberkesphotography.com Best Wishes, Jeffrey Berkes Prep yourself before venturing outdoors in winter. It is a deadly time of year. You can see some survival gear I use on my website.

Belleplain State Forest

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Belleplain State Forest

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Belleplain State Forest

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Belleplain State Forest

Belleplain State Forest
'Lake Nummy'

Lake Nummy in Belleplain State Forest

The forested acres of Belleplain include stands of young pine, oak and Atlantic white cedar, reflecting better soil conditions and less damage by fire than found in the Pine Barrens just north of the forest. Belleplain State Forest was established in 1928 by the State of New Jersey for recreation, wildlife management, timber production, and water conservation. In 1933, three camps were set up by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Reforestation Relief Act, supplying labor to the forest for over an eight-year period.

The CCC converted Meisle Cranberry Bog into Lake Nummy, a popular swimming, boating, and fishing area. They also constructed the original forest headquarters, maintenance building, a road system, bridges, and dams.

Cabins

Group Cabin: East Creek Cabin - furnished living room with fireplace, full kitchen, two bunkrooms with double bunks, bathrooms, showers, outdoor campfire rings. Accommodates up to 30 people. Located on a lake and accessible to East Creek Trail. Picnic grove, boat dock, ballfield. ADA Accessible. Open year round. $155 per night.

Yurts: Five yurts. Circular tents built on a wood frame, featuring wood floors, a deck and plexiglass skylight. Each yurt has a lockable wood door, window screens and flaps, and two double-deck bunks, which sleep up to four people. Accessible to persons with disabilities. $30 per night.

Camping

Campsites: 169 tent and trailer sites with fire rings and picnic tables. Flush toilets, showers, and laundry facilities are within walking distance. Trailer dumping station is open March 1 through November 30. Campsites open all year. $20 per night.

Group campsites: Two group campsites with fire rings, picnic tables, water, and chemical toilets. Each site accommodates up to 75 people. Open all year. $75 per night.

Lean-tos: Fourteen lean-tos with propane heaters. Each accommodates up to six people. Outdoor picnic table, fire ring and grill. Flush toilets, showers and laundry facilities are within walking distance. ADA Accessible. Open all year. $30 per night.

Swimming

Swimming is permitted on the north side of Lake Nummy from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day while lifeguards are on duty. Visitors will find a beach complex containing changing area, restrooms, a first-aid station and a concession 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.

Get directions
to this park:

Nearby Parks

Corson's Inlet State Park

Parvin State Park

Picnicking

Belleplain offers a Group Picnic Area for larger groups. It holds a capacity of 100 people, provides shelter, playfields and playground equipment. It may be reserved for a fee:

$55 per day, plus applicable parking fees Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day$80 per day Day After Labor Day to Friday Before Memorial Day50 percent of Fee Group Picnic Cancellation Fee

. Groups of 20 or more people shall reserve picnic facilities at least five days in advance. Such group use is not permitted on Holidays except as authorized by the Superintendent. Reservations for picnic areas are handled by the individual park area offices.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews

May 17 IS A WALK ON MEMORY LANE..... by PHAT LU

THE BEST PLACE I EVER CAMPED AT AND IT WILL ALWAYS BE THE BEST...SHOUT OUT TO MIKE RUSSELL FROM PHAT LU......33RD cmd...

January 17 Excellent Park by Michell ASST CUB MASTER

spent a lovely cold weeked here with my cub scout pack! The boys all had a great time and the employees made it even more enjoyable to be there, we stayed in the lean toos and were pleasantly surprised on how nice they were! Only one problem with one leantoo where the heater stopped working but they did everything they could to help us!! Very nice and we are booking another weekend really soon!

October 1 Favorite camping trip by clairebear

Iam a single mom (due to divorce) and had to be both parents. I have been taking my kids to Bellplain since 1985 and love it. Now I have grandchildren and plan on taking them too. It convient to go to Cape May ZOO or ride into Wildwood and spend the day on the boardwalk and back to camp ground.

September 6 Nice weekend trip

The park is nice with a small lake- about 1 hour to canoe around is plenty. The camp sites are nice- not too close together. I would have liked more hiking trails- we finished all of them in one afternoon. Good for a weekend trip, but I would not spend a full week. Next time we visit I would love to try a Yurt or lean-to!

July 25 Far out and within distance of sea by Walter Lorigiano

We have been coming down to Belleplain from Montreal for over 15 years. Mind you, the prices have changed but the hospitality from the staff has always been impeccable, as its surroundings.

June 29 A jewel in South Jersey by Bouchacs

The Yurts are great for families. Large, with 2 bunks, we were also able to comfortably include an inflatable queen mattress. Campsites nice & secluded.

June 16 Our perfect spot! by Cindy Weaver

My husband and I were engaged at the park and always love to come back to take a trip down memory lane. We have been married 12 years.

May 12 The Jewel of Cape May County by Petersburg Jones

My son and I ride our mountain bikes at least once a month in Belleplain, and camp there as often as we can. The place is always clean, and the employees are very helpful.

March 9 A great family retreat

Awesome place for hiking and camping.

November 2 fantastic fall foliage by susea

Seasonal changes with beautiful colors and crisp fall air, the hiking is fabulous and I appreciate having Belleplain so close by to enjoy all year.

October 30 My favorite campground in NJ by Karen Banks

I love Belleplain State Forest. My husband and I spend time at Belleplain in every season, but enjoy it most in the fall and spring. The nature and hiking trails, riding our bikes on trails and the roadways in and near Belleplain, and spending time at the lake are our favorite activities. I love this park!

May 29 One of our favorite parks

Our family has been going for years and it is the best park everything about it

April 17 The Best NJ State Park

My fiancee and I have visited several of NJ state parks over the past few years and Belleplain is our favorite. We feel safe and the grounds are beautiful. We also usually always get a site at our favorite area around the edge of the lake. Belleplain State Forest is absolutely goregous!

Area Campgrounds

Holiday Haven Campground 230 Route 50 Estell Manor, NJ 609-476-2963	Pleasant Valley Campground Route 50 and South River Road Estell Manor, NJ 609-625-1238
Buena Vista Camping Resort 775 Harding Highway Buena, NJ 856-697-5555	Adventure Bound Camping Resorts - Cape May 240 West Shellbay Avenue Cape May Court House, NJ
Big Timber Lake Camping Resort 116 Swainton-Goshen Road Cape May Court House, NJ	King Nummy Trail Campground 205 Route 47 South Cape May Court House, NJ 609-465-4242
Little Oaks Campground 314 Kings Highway Cape May Court House, NJ 609-624-1682	Ponderosa Campground 18 West Beaver Dam Road Cape May Court House, NJ 609-465-7794
Shellbay Campground 227 West Shellbay Avenue Cape May Court House, NJ 609-465-4770	Holly Lake Condominium Association Route 47 Dennisville, NJ 609-861-0662
Country Oaks Campground 13 South Jersey Avenue Dorothy, NJ 609-476-2143	Colonial Meadows Campground 1410 Somers Point Road Egg Harbor Township, NJ 609-653-8449
Egg Harbor River Resort 135 Thompson Lane Egg Harbor Township, NJ 609-923-6841	Sleepy Hollow Family Campground 132 Bevis Mill Road Egg Harbor Township, NJ 609-927-1969
Green Holly Camping Resort Goshen-Swainton Road Goshen, NJ 609-465-9602	Acorn Campground Route 47 South Green Creek, NJ 609-886-7119
Bayberry Cove Resort 435 US Route 9 Marmora, NJ 609-390-3535	Whippoorwill Campground 810 South Shore Road Marmora, NJ 609-390-3458
River Beach Campground 4678 Mays Landing Somers Point Road Mays Landing, NJ 609-625-8611	Winding River Campground 6752 Weymouth Road Mays Landing, NJ 609-625-3191
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Mays Landing 1079 12th Avenue Mays Landing, NJ	Echo Farms RV Resort 3066 South Shore Road Ocean View, NJ 609-624-3589
Frontier Campground 84 Tyler Road Ocean View, NJ 609-390-3649	Ocean View Resort Campground 2555 Shore Road Ocean View, NJ 609-624-1675
Outdoor World - Lake and Shore Resort 545 Corson Tavern Road Ocean View, NJ 609-624-1494	Pine Haven Campground Resort 2339 Route #9 Box 606 Ocean View, NJ 609-624-3437
Plantation Campground Corson Tavern Road Ocean View, NJ 609-624-3528	Resort Campground Country Club 561 Corson Tavern Road Ocean View, NJ 609-624-3666
Sea Grove Camping Resort 2665 Shore Road Ocean View, NJ 609-624-3529	Shady Oaks Campground 64 State Highway 50 Ocean View, NJ 609-390-0431
Shorebirds Campground 1314 Stagecoach Road Ocean View, NJ 609-390-1276	Tamerlane Campground Route 9 Ocean View, NJ 609-624-0767
Evergreen Woods Lakefront Resort 106 East Moss Mill Road Pomona, NJ 609-652-1577	Seaville Shores Trailer Resort 98 Corson Tavern Road Seaville, NJ 609-624-0564
Jersey Shore Haven 728 Dennisville Road Route 628 South Seaville, NJ	Scenic Riverview Campground 465 Route 49 Box 184 Tuckahoe, NJ 609-628-4566
Carol Lynn Resorts East LLC 165 Fremont Avenue Woodbine, NJ 609-861-1001	Ocean World Campers Resort Condomini 1324 Freidriechstadt Avenue Woodbine, NJ 609-861-0388

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Directions

Belleplain State Forest can be reached via the Garden State Parkway by taking exit 17 southbound (exit 17) to Routes 9 and 550 or exit 13 northbound. Highway signs are provided to guide the motorist to the forest.