Bass River State Forest Campground

Bass River State Forest Campground At A Glance...

• Camp in the first forest the state of New Jersey acquired for public recreation, bought in 1905.
• Nine lean-tos on the South Shore of Lake Absegami sleep up to six people each, a step up from a tent without the price of a cabin.
• Six cabins on the North Shore sleep up to six, drive in, and have flush toilets.
• Todays Sunrise: 7:16 am,   Sunset: 6:07 pm  
• New Jersey Shore Region Ocean County
• Bass River State Forest Campground is part of  Bass River State Forest

• Camping:

  • Drive-up camping
  • Group Camping
  • Large lots for RVs
  • Tent Camping Available
  • Hookups
  • Multi-use Trails
  • Pet Friendly
  • Rentals Available

  Rules/Regulations:

  • Alcohol Not Permitted
  • Must be Leashed

Contact / Location

Tips and Tricks

You have to sign in for your own site and have your equipment with you when you register, along with the make and license plate of every vehicle. Firewood is sold at the forest office, and fires must be in the fire rings provided. Generators are allowed except during quiet hours. Alcohol and smoking are prohibited. Pets are allowed only on the South Shore tent and trailer sites, need written proof of a current rabies vaccine, are limited to two per site and must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. They are not allowed in cabins, shelters, lean-tos or swimming areas. Groups need to turn in a camping manifest form before they arrive, and nobody who is not on it is let in.

Admission & Guidelines

Tent and trailer sites are $20 a night for New Jersey residents and $25 for non-residents. Lean-tos are $35 and $40, shelters are $48 and $60, and cabins are $75 and $85 a night. The reservation page lists each of the six group sites at $50 per day for residents and $100 for non-residents. Pets on the South Shore sites cost an extra $5 a night.

Each campsite takes up to 6 people and 2 vehicles, and a group site takes up to 25 people and 8 vehicles; extra vehicles pay a fee. Campsites must be registered and occupied by someone 18 or older. Stays are limited to 14 nights at first and 40 in a calendar year. Canceling a campsite costs two nights or $40 for New Jersey residents and $50 for non-residents, whichever is less, with 24 hours notice. For cabins, shelters and lean-tos, canceling seven days or less ahead costs one night. Book through the NJ Outdoors page linked on this record.