Description

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 bogThrough the Carry-In/Carry-Out Program you can help us keep your parks clean and beautiful by carrying out the trash you carry in. Bags are provided throughout the site. Thank you for your cooperation and remember to recycle.

The Bass River 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 (Lake Absegami beach, picnic area, trails): 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Office Hours: Sunday - Thursday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Summer Season Friday - Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Summer Season

Pertinent Rules & Regulations:

Alcohol is prohibited.
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.
Observe quiet hours of 10pm to 6am. Unduly annoying conduct prohibited.
Trash must be placed in recycle or refuse containers or taken with the visitor.
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 vehicles fee applies.
Campsite visitors are allowed from 8am to 8pm (day use fees apply).
Maximum 14 night stay initially, then up to 40 night total in calendar year.
Reservation cancellation fees apply.
No refunds to evicted persons.
Under age campers must have one adult supervisor to every 9 campers under the age of 18. Adult supervisors must have transportaion available for emergencies.
No posting of signs. No person shall damage, move or remove any plant, animal, equipment or structure.
Where permitted, metal detectors require a permit.
Possession of firearms is prohibited.
Swimming is restricted to supervised beaches. Diving prohibited.
Coast Guard approved life jackets must be available when boating.
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.
Unless otherwise posted, motor vehicle speeds is limited to 35 mph on improved roads and 25mph on dirt, gravel or sand roads.
Do not block traffic on roadways, paths or trails.
Woodfires in campsites are permitted only in fire rings and fireplaces unless fire restriction is in effect.
Fire reulations are dependant on weather conditions and do change daily.

Geography:

Absegami Natural Area (128 acres)

A self guided 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.
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.

Recreation:

Bass River State Forest offers hiking, biking and horse trails. Visit the Batsto Historic Village, Tuckerton Seaport, Long Beach Island, Atlantic City destinations.

Fishing is subject to New Jersey's Fish and Wildlife Laws. Freshwater species are mainly pickerel, sunfish, and catfish. Fishing License are available nearby. Please visit www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/url for NJ fishing regulations

.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. Please visit www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw /url for NJ hunting regulations.

Facilities:

Alcohol is prohibited. Pets are prohibited in overnight facilities unless designated pet friendly site.
Pet Friendly Campsites require license and innoculation paperwork and additional cost.
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. New Jersey Residents: $20 per night; Non-Residents: $25 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. New Jersey Residents: $3 per person, per night; Non Residents: $5 per person, per night.
Six licensed vehicles only are permitted to park on each group campsite, within the campsite limit signs. Additional vehicles are required to pay $5.00 per night and park in the designated parking area.
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. New Jersey Residents: $35 per night; Non-Residents: $40 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. New Jersey Residents: $48 per night; Non-Residents: $60 per night.
Cabins: Six lakefront cabins with living room with double-deck bunk and fireplace; two bunk rooms with double-deck bunks; kitchen with running water, electric stove, refrigerator; bathroom with shower, toilet, and sink. Screened-in porch faces lake. Outdoor fire rings. Electricity. Each accommodates a maximum of six people. Cabins are located along the north shore of Lake Absegami. Open April 1 through October 31. New Jersey Residents: $75 per night; $525 per week; Non-Residents: $85 per night; $595 per week
Picnic Facilities: 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.
Group Picnic Area for larger groups. It holds a capacity of 50 people, provides shelter, playfields and playground equipment. It may be reserved for a fee: Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day $55 NJ Resident/ $65 Non Resident; Day after Labor Day to Friday before Memorial Day $80 NJ Resident/$90 Non Resident Cancellation fee is 50% of 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.
A public boat launch is located north of the recreational area parking lot. Powered boats are limited to electric motors only. A canoe, kayak, rowboat concession is operated during the summer months. Coast guard approved life preservers are required.

Nearby Attractions:

Tuckerton Seaport LBI Atlantic City Smithville Forsythe Fantasy Island