Bass River State Forest

Acquired in 1902, Bass River State Forest was the first state forest in New Jersey. The forest headquarters is at Lake Absegami, a 67-acre lake created in the 1920s, where there are camping areas, a beach, cabins, shelters, lean-tos, a nature center, and a short nature trail that traverses a cedar swamp.

The forest has eight easy walking trails varying in length from 1.0 to 3.3 miles, and the Batona Trail traverses the forest. Trails start at the second parking lot as the beach. With a map and compass, it is possible to hike any number of circular routes over the sand roads in the area. A circular hike of about ten miles to Munion Field and back leads through typical Pinelands forests.

The park includes:

• Hunting
• Snowmobiling
• Cross Country Skiing
• Nature Trails
• Mountain Biking / Biking
• Equestrian Trails
• Hiking / Walking
• Fishing
• Boating / Canoeing / Kayaking
• Swimming & Bathhouse
• Playground
• Picnicking