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NJ |
| description |
Belleplain State Forest consists of over 21,000 acres of Pine, Oak, and Atlantic White Cedar Forest spanning over Cape May and Cumberland Counties in Southern New Jersey. The State Forest was established in 1928 for public recreation. During the Depression, The Civilian Conservation Corps, or C.C.C dug out the existing cranberry bog into a 26 acre recreational lake for the community. Lake Nummy is now the center of activities for the Forest, where one can canoe, swim, or hike along the lake. Picnic tables with charcoal grills are located lake side, along with horseshoe pits, canoe rental and a concession stand. All State Parks and Forests in New Jersey participate in the Carry in/Carry out Program, you can keep our Parks clean by carrying out the trash you carry in with you. Bags are located at the office and picnic areas. The Belleplain State Forest recreational facilities are partially accessible for persons with disabilities. Please contact the park office for further information regarding disability access needs. Text telephone (TT) users, call the New Jersey Relay Service at (800) 852-7899. Park Hours: Open daily sunrise to sunset Day Use Area: 8am to dusk Office Hours: Monday – Sunday 8:30am to 4pm Summer Hours: Sunday- Thursday 8:30am to 6pm Friday-Saturday 8:30am to 8pm Seasonal Swimming Hours: 10am-5:45pm (Only when lifeguards are on duty!) |
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The Forest Office can be reached via the Garden State Parkway by taking exit 17 southbound to route 9 and 550 or exit 13 northbound. Highway signs are provided to guide the motorist to the forest office. If you are using a GPS or internet mapping use the physical address 1 Henkinsifkin Road Woodbine, NJ 08270 or coordinates 39° 14’ 56.62” N 74° 50' 28.29" W”. |
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Note: None of the State Parks in New Jersey have Electric/Water Hook-ups at sites. Reservations can be made up to 11 months ahead of time 2 night minimum for Reservations- Reservation fees apply If you don’t have a reservation a walk-in fee will apply Campsites: 169 Family Tent and Trailer Sites with fire rings and picnic tables. Flush toilets, showers, and laundry facilities are within walking distance. Trailer sanitary dump station is open year round, and requires a fee if you are not camping here. $20-25/per night based on residency. Pet Friendly: 85 of the 169 campsites are pet friendly- All located in Meisle and CCC camping areas. The pet fee is $5/night, and is paid upon arrival at the park office. The Park requires a copy of the rabies and distemper vaccination along with the fee. Group Camping: Two 50- person sites that are open year round with picnic tables, charcoal grill, and a fire ring. There are no flush toilets at the group sites. Pit toilets are located on site. $2-4/per person based on site capacity. Not Pet Friendly. Tents only. No Trailers allowed on Group sites. Lean-tos: 14 fully closed Lean-tos with propane heaters and a lockable door accommodate up to 6 people. Each Lean-to site comes with a picnic table, charcoal grill and fire ring. The lean-tos are completely empty inside. Heat is provided November 1- March 31st. $40-45/per night based on residency. Not Pet Friendly. No additional tents/trailers allowed at Lean-to site. Yurts: 5 circular tent-like structures with a lockable door accommodate 4 people comfortably with two bunk beds, but has a 6 person max capacity. Each yurt sites comes with a picnic table, charcoal grill, and a fire ring. $35-40/per site based on residency. Not Pet-Friendly. No additional tents/trailers allowed at Yurt Site. Group Cabin: One 30-person cabin located on the south shore of East Creek Pond is open year around. The cabin has electric, can be heated with fireplace (wood is not provided but can be purchased at main office), or with propane heater. It has 2 bedrooms with 15 beds in each bedroom, 2 bathrooms, Kitchen equipped with a gas stove, two ovens, griddle top, and broiler hood, microwave, coffee pot, and a refrigerator. Campers must bring all kitchen utensils, pots and pans, bedding, dish towels, etc. Outside at the cabin, there are picnic tables, 2 charcoal grills, fire ring, and canoes (that can be rented from concession). Swimming is prohibited at East Creek Pond. Not Pet-Friendly. No additional tents/trailers allowed at Group Cabin site. Lake Nummy and Ballfield Pavilion: The park has 2 picnic pavilions that can be reserved through the park office only. Please call the office for seasonal rates and information. |
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BELLEPLAIN STATE FOREST |
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670053 |
| fullReservationUrl |
http://www.reserveamerica.com/campsiteSearch.do?contractCode=NJ&parkId=670053&cmp=39-32--joewils |
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- WHEN YOU ARRIVE - You must sign for your own site. You will be required to show Photo ID/Drivers License. You will be required to give vehicle information (make/model/license plate) for all vehicles at your site. - QUIET HOURS - From 10pm-6am and are strictly enforced. Violators of this policy may be evicted. - GENERATORS - May be used except during quiet hours. If the use of a generator is deemed unreasonable loud, by the facility staff then individual use of generator may be prohibited/limited.-FIRES- Must be built in fire rings provided. Only dead and down wood may be used for fuel. No chainsaws are allowed in campgrounds, and cutting down trees, alive or dead is prohibited. - PETS IN OVERNIGHT FACILITIES - Pets are only allowed in Pet Friendly campsites in the camping area. There is a $5/per night fee to be paid upon arrival and vaccination paperwork is required. Pets are not permitted in the Lean-to, Yurt, Group Camping, and Group Cabin Area. Pertinent Rules and Regulations Alcohol is prohibited Must be 18 years of age to reserve sites Pets, except for service animals, are prohibited from swimming areas & camping areas unless pet friendly sites.Pets must be on a maximum 6 foot leash where permitted. Swimming is restricted to supervised beaches. Diving prohibited. Where permitted, metal detectors require a permit. No posting of signs. No person shall damage, move or remove any plant, animal, equipment or structure. Possession of firearms is prohibited. Coast Guard approved life jackets must be worn while boating No Floatation devices allowed in Lake (including but not limited to “swimmies”, inner tubes, and rafts) Motor vehicles must be licensed, insured and registered. Motor vehicles are restricted to established roads & parking areas All terrain vehicles (ATV), motorized trail bikes, and off-road vehicles are prohibited Do not block traffic on roadways, paths or trails. Boats requiring gas or oil are not permitted on lakes Observe quiet hours between 10pm-6am Unduly annoying conduct prohibited Trash must be placed in recycle and refuse containers, please contact office for location. Do not leave on your site when you check out Facility must be occupied and vacated as stated on permit. Maximum 6 people per site, unless group site Maximum 2 licensed vehicles on site. Extra vehicle fee applies Campsite visitors allowed from 8am-8pm (day use fee applies) Maximum 14 night stay initially. Must vacate for 1 week, and may return for up to 1 week at a time until 40 night total is reached within calendar year Reservation cancellation fees apply No refunds to evicted persons Underage campers must have 1 adult supervisor to every 9 campers under the age of 18. Adult supervisors must have transportation available for emergencies Woodfires in campsites are permitted only in fire rings and fireplaces unless fire restriction is in effect Fire regulations are dependent on weather conditions and do change daily |
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Located in Cape May and Cumberland Counties, Belleplain State Forest is centrally located to accommodate everyone’s needs. Beach/Boardwalk lovers? Just a short 10-15 mile drive and you can be in Ocean City or Sea Isle City and Wildwood is only 20 miles away. Beach tags required on some beaches. Cape May Point State Park and Lighthouse is about 30 min drive away. Fees apply to Lighthouse. Cape May County Park and Zoo. Free Entrance. Donation is optional. http://www.capemaycountyzoo.org/ Cape May-Lewes Ferry http://www.capemaylewesferry.com/ Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center http://www.wheatonarts.org Mouse Trap Bowling Alley http://mousetrapbowlingalley.com/ Somers Mansion Historic Site Atlantic City Aquarium http://www.acaquarium.com/ Wetlands Institute http://www.wetlandsinstitute.org |
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Belleplain is one of five State Forests that comprise the NJ Pinelands. The forested acres of Belleplain include stands of young pine, oak and atlantic white cedar, reflecting better soil conditions and less damage by fire then found in the rest of the Pine Barrens. Belleplain State Forest was established by the State of NJ for recreation, wildlife management, timber production, and water conservation in 1928. In 1933, three camps were set up by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Reforestation Relief Act, supplying labor to the forest for over an 8 year period. The CCC converted the Meisle Cranberry Bog into Lake Nummy, a popular swimming, boating, and fishing area used by many people today. They also constructed the original forest headquarters (which is now the Nature Center), maintenance building, a road system still used today, bridges, and dams. |
| recreationDescription |
Belleplain has over 50 miles of hiking, horseback riding, and biking trails. Visitors may stop at the office and pick up a map to explore the natural habitat including the Atlantic white cedar swamps, hardwood and pine forests, lakes and streams. The Forest is a great stop for birders during the spring and fall migrations. Hikes are set up by the Cape May Bird Observatory and the schedule and fees can be found on their website. http://www.cmbo.org From Memorial Day to Labor Day the park offers a swimming beach staffed with lifeguards. Restrooms, showers, changing rooms, a first aid station, and concession stand offering refreshments, novelties, and canoe rentals are available to the public during this time. If you are not camping here, day use fees apply. Please be aware that if the safety of our swimmers is compromised, due to lack of Lifeguard coverage or water quality issues, swimming will be prohibited and therefore cannot be a guaranteed activity. Belleplain Nature Center is open seasonally. Located south of the swimming area, please stop in and see what the Naturalist has in her tanks! Weekend nature crafts are scheduled. Interpretive fees may apply. Pets are permitted at the park. They must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. They are allowed on most hiking/biking trails. They are not permitted on the beach or in the swimming area. They are permitted in the picnic area. |