Belleplain State Forest

Belleplain State Forest At A Glance...

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New Jersey Southern Shore Region Cape May County

About 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 for public recreation, and it now runs to almost 23,000 acres across Cape May and Cumberland counties.

The center of it all is Lake Nummy, 26 acres of open water with a swimming beach, canoe rental and trails around the shore. Most of what people come here to do happens within sight of that lake, and the rest of the forest is quiet sandy trail in every direction from it.

Belleplain is one of the few places in the state where you can swim, paddle, camp, fish and walk a flat forest trail without moving your car.

Activities:
- Equestrian / Horseback
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
  Trapping as well
- Jogging / Running
- Mountain Bike
- Paddling - Kayak, Canoe, row boat
- Playing in the playground
- Swimming
- Walking
Amenities:
- Beach
- Parking Lot(s)
- Nature / Environmental Center
- Picnic / Sitting Area
- Benches
- Grills / Firering
- Picnic shelter(s)
- Picnic tables
- Playground
Trails:
- Fitness Trail
- Flat / Easy
Park Type:
- State / National Forest
- State Parks
- Playground
Rules/Regulations:
- Alcohol Not Permitted

Contact / Location

Primary Address:

Get Directions 1 Henkinsifkin Road,
Woodbine, New Jersey 08270

Contact:

Related:

Camping in NJ State Parks and Forests

A Brief History

Belleplain State Forest was established in 1928 for public recreation.

Lake Nummy is not a natural lake. During the Depression the Civilian Conservation Corps dug out an existing cranberry bog and turned it into a 26-acre recreational lake for the community. That is the lake people swim in today, and the CCC Campground still carries the name of the men who did the work.

It is worth knowing what you are looking at. A cranberry bog became a swimming lake because a public works program needed something for people to do in South Jersey, and almost a century later it is still the busiest spot in 23,000 acres of forest.

Things to See & Do

Lake Nummy is where the forest gathers. You can swim it, paddle it or walk around it, and the three are easy to combine in one afternoon.

Swimming is at the lake beach, and the season is short and staffed. The posted swimming hours are 10am to 5:30pm, and swimming is only permitted when lifeguards are on duty, so the beach being open and the beach being swimmable are two different things. Check before you drive down for it.

Paddling. Canoe rental is on site, so you do not need to bring a boat.

Picnicking. Picnic tables with charcoal grills sit lakeside, and there are horseshoe pits and a concession stand at the same area.

Fishing and walking fill in the rest. The trails are flat and sandy, which is the Pine Barrens surface, and easy going for almost anyone.

All New Jersey state parks and forests run a carry in, carry out program. The State Park Service does not provide bags, so bring one out with whatever you brought in.

Hours / Season of Operation

The forest is open daily from sunrise to sunset. The Day Use Area keeps its own hours, 8am to dusk.

Park office, winter: Monday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

Park office, summer: Monday to Sunday, 8:30am to 5:30pm.

Some same-day site reservations, lean-tos and shelters among them, have to be done at least an hour before the office closes, so a late arrival hoping to book on the spot can miss it by 45 minutes.

Swimming: 10am to 5:30pm in season, and only when lifeguards are on duty.

Facilities

Belleplain camps a wider range of people than most state forests. The site types on the state's own reservation system include tent and trailer sites, sites with water and electric hookups, lean-tos, shelters, group campsites and group cabins, spread across more than one campground, with CCC Campground and Meisle Campground the two named ones.

At the day use area: a swimming beach, canoe rental, a concession stand, picnic tables with charcoal grills, picnic shelters, horseshoe pits, a playground and parking.

Accessibility. The recreational facilities are partially accessible. The park office is the place to ask about specific access needs before you travel, on (609) 861-2404. Text telephone users can reach them through the New Jersey Relay Service on (800) 852-7899.