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 bog.
Camping in the Forest
The Bass River State Forest boasts 176 tent and trailer sites with fire rings and picnic tables. Although no hook-ups are provided, flush toilets, showers and laundry facilities are within walking distance of all sites. Each site accommodates a maximum of six campers, two vehicles (including trailers) and two tents. A trailer sanitary station is open from March 1 through November 30 and the campsites are open all year with a charge of $20 per night.
The state forest also offers six group campsites with water and pit toilets within walking distance. Each site accommodates a maximum of 25 campers and has parking on the site. This area is open all year with a charge of $25 per night per site.
There are also nine handicap accessible lean-tos. Each of these structures has a hardwood floor, a wood burning stove, an outdoor picnic table, fire ring and grill. Flush toilets, showers, and laundry facilities are within walking distance. Located on the south shore, each structure accommodates a maximum of six people, is open all year and rents for $30 per night.
The six lakeside shelters available have two bunk rooms, one double-deck bunk in each room, a living room with a picnic table and bench, wood burning stove, fire ring and screened double door. There is an outdoor grill for cooking a table and benches. Flush toilets and shower facilities are nearby. The shelters are located along the north shore of Lake Absegami and each accommodates a maximum of four people. Open from April 1 through October 31 each shelter rents from $40 per night.
In addition to all of the above the Bass River State Forest provides six lakefront cabins each with a living room with double-deck bunk and fireplace, two bunk rooms with double-deck bunks, kitchens with running water, electric stoves, refrigerators; bathrooms with showers, toilets, and sinks. All of the screened-in porches face the lake. Outdoor fire rings and electricity have also been provided. Each accommodates a maximum of six people. The cabins are located along the north shore of Lake Absegami. Open from April 1 through October 31, each cabin rents for $65 per night or $455 per week.
Alcohol and pets are prohibited in all overnight facilities.
Highlights of Bass River State Forest
Absegami Natural Area (128 acres) is a self guided nature trail that loops through this wetland forest, where Atlantic White Cedars share the canopy with Red Maple and Magnolia trees. The Pinelands white cedar swamp and surrounding oak-pine forest community make up the Absegami Natural Area.
West Pine Plains Natural Area (3830 acres) is a unique stunted forest ecosystem, known locally as the Pygmy Forest, which 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: There are eight easy walking (non-ADA accessible) trails from 1 to 3.2 mile winding throughout the forest. 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 along the way. 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 is an easy walking trail, well marked with pink blazes and runs for 50 miles through Bass River State Forest, Wharton State Forest and Brendan T. Byrne State Forest. The trail crosses streams and passes 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.
The Civilian Conservation Corp at Bass River State Forest
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was created during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "The Hundred Days," the beginning of FDR's first term, and a time of massive legislative efforts to deal with the paralyzing effects of the Great Depression. The CCC put needy young men to work who in turn sent a large portion of their pay back to their families. The fact that only 37 days elapsed between FDR's swearing in and the induction of the first CCC enrollee on April 7, 1933 reflects the importance of this program. By the time the program ended in 1942, due to World War II, over three million unemployed young men had been enrolled, planting over three billion trees and completing many other conservation projects including building much of the infrastructure at Bass River State Forest.
The CCC camp at Bass River State Forest, Camp S-55, lasted from 1933 to 1942, throughout the entire life of CCC. Company 225 served at the camp from 1933-1937 and Company 2201-V, a Veteran’s company, followed from 1937-1942. There were usually 200 men at the camp, which was a full complement. The CCC members performed a wide range of conservation work from building park roads, trails, bridle paths, bridges for vehicles, ponds for fish and waterfowl, lookout towers, nature observatory shelters, picnic areas, cabins, fireplaces, campgrounds, recreational lakes, and landscaping. The most noteworthy feat was the creation of the 67-acre Lake Absegami, by damming two streams flowing through the forest. The foundations of Camp S-55 and the CCC Memorial are part of a self-guided trail. Brochures are available at the Forest Office and at the beginning of the trail near the parking lot on East Greenbush Road. Stop in and visit the Forest Office to see artifacts from the Camp as well as a list of members.
Location:
Burlington and Ocean Counties
762 Stage Road
Mailing Address:
762 Stage Rd
Tuckerton, NJ 08087
(609) 296-1114 (609) 296-1114
GPS Coordinates
DMS 39° 37’ 14.30” N 74° 25'28.83" W
Size: 27,635 acres
Fees: Entrance fees are charged per vehicle from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.
Directions:
Bass River State
Forest is about 25 miles north of Atlantic City and six miles west of Tuckerton. Take the Garden State Parkway to exit 52 heading south and exit 50 heading north.
Tags: campground, nj campgrounds