My boyfriend just loves to camp and the great outdoors, while I am more of an "indoor cat". We spent a warm April afternoon here walking Joe's Trail and picnicking by the "swimming lake" which was not crowded at all - in fact, quite empty in April. This is NOT the case in peak summer. There were restrooms but they were locked o we had to trek back to the main camping office to use the restroom there. Would like to come back when Covid is lessened and facilities are truly open. read more

Mature Office manager needed with appropriate training to staff. Received ok from office to have my daughter move her site across from ours. When we got to the office they gave it to someone else. Receptionist stated it was fine to come up on our way out to the beach. Worse part when my daughter became upset, manager stated oh please not on a Friday. Will never return again. Oh & lake not swimmable after 3yrs & no notice prior to arrival. This place is less than 1/2 hr to beach & more than half sites are open on a Friday night. It should be a gold mine. read more

We stopped by here on May 2 the day that the Governor set to reopen our State Parks.... We went to other state parks before we finally decided to come here... The other parks were very busy that's when I thought about trying to give this park a try... It was virtually empty and besides having quite a few camping areas there are many trails as well...There is also a section corded off for swimming... The camping and swimming areas were closed... It's quite a drive from my home but it was well worth it... If you are in the area or even if you're not check out this park you won't be sorry... read more

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This is one of my favorite camping places. The trails are all meticulously blazed and the forest here is well preserved. Bathrooms are clean, security makes their rounds and there are great spaces for swimming and picnicking. I'm never here at peak season but in spring and fall on the fringe its the place to be. read more

I was here for a long weekend for Labor Days. Overall its not a bad campground but just feels some things could be better. Perhaps it was the long weekend crowd that the park staff wasn't able to handle but I feel the bathrooms and showers weren't all that clean especially in the Lake shower. On the other hand its a really nice amenity to have showers and laundry room even if they weren't in the best condition. Our campsite was smaller than others in my opinion. It was just two of us so was fine but for a site suppose to allow up for 6 people its definitely way too small. Perhaps they didn't maintain it very well. Lots of wasps and mosquito so definitely need to bring repellent, DEET wasn't enough for the wasps when I was cooking on the table. They do sell firewood at the check in station at $6 a bag which I thought was a nice amenity not to have to go far for firewood. Concession stand at the Lake was really understaffed. One lady was taking care of everything and the lines were average probably 30-45 min wait. Quite unfortunate as it could be much better with just few more staff. Same with the boat rental I feel they weren't equipped to handle the long weekend crowd. They weren't able to tell me when next available canoe would be when I went over to inquired. For the nature site itself its definitely 5 stars. the Lake was pristine and beautiful I had a really good time enjoying the beach and swimming for almost all day. The hiking trails around the camp were pretty good too although bit more spider webs than I hoped for. I think for a regular weekend its definitely a good consideration but it seems long weekend they simply don't have the budget and staff to keep everyone very happy. The location is really convenient, only minutes from Garden State Parkway and nearby close to Batsto Village and other fun stuff to keep you busy if you had enough of the campsite :) read more

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My son returned to bass river, 1st time this yr. He called and a girl told him he could camp. And the next morning go to the office and pay. He made a fire that night. A short time latter a warden stopped by to warn him about the fire. With that the warden wrote out a ticket, a warning. Just because you don't see a sign for no campfires is no excuse. On the ticket the warden put a "D" with a circle around it. No explanation just a D. Or Derelict - which the warden assumed he had no home. My son has been camping there for 3 yrs. My son has pstd and bipolar. Camping helps him a lot - bass river is only for the right side of the tracks. read more

Great place to do so much go boating kyacking swimming biking I especially love the scenery!!!

I'd love to offer a comprehensive review of Bass River State Forest, their camping facilities, recreation activities, and restroom conditions... but I didn't actually make it past the park office. So instead, I'll give you my experiences with Bass River State Forest's park office, and with their fine staff. Planning a birthday weekend camping trip, I had settled on Bass River State Forest. I've never been there before, but the site layout looked good, the proximity to the lake and hiking trails was nice, and it was set off from civilization enough that I wouldn't be hearing people on crotch rockets tearing up the road at 3AM (I'm lookin' at you, Atsion Family Campground). Based on this, I booked well in advance, online: me and my girlfriend and our tiny dogs. I uploaded their vaccination documentation and licenses to the online booking site, paid, and received a confirmation. All seemed to be going great. We arrived around 6PM on Friday, after driving six hours through awful traffic and nonsense detours from Maryland. I was surprised and happy to see that the park office was still open, so I walked on in, ready to finally get my weekend started. "It says here you've got dogs," the lady behind the counter said. "We'll need to see vaccinations." "Yeah, no, I uploaded that when I reserved." "No, you didn't," she corrected me. "There's nothing here." I argued that I had, actually, attached them when I reserved, but she cut me off and pointed to her computer screen. "See, if there was something uploaded, there'd be a PDF that I would print out." No biggie, I thought: I have the actual PDFs that I had uploaded on a USB drive! Crisis averted! I informed them of this. "That won't be good enough," she said. "It has to be the original paper signed by the vet." "Er... but if I had uploaded them when I registered, what would you have done then?" "Printed out the PDF." "And that would have counted?" "Of course." "But... but this is the same PDF," I argued pointlessly. "This is what you'd be printing out if it had been attached. Like, it's the exact same file." She explained that I simply wasn't going to be allowed to stay that night. If they made an exception for me, they'd have to make it for everyone. If I wanted to drive six hours back to Maryland, wait 'til morning to get the documents from my vet, and then drive six hours back, then that would be fine, and I could enjoy the three hours or so remaining on my reservation. I asked if it would be okay if I went somewhere that had a printer, printed out a copy of the paperwork, and then brought them that. I was told that also was not good enough: it had to be an original document, signed by the vet (though I don't know how uploading the things would've been acceptable under those conditions either, but whatever. Logic left this story a long time ago). I explained that we'd driven six hours... I'd be happy to have my vet fax them a copy or something as soon as possible but I'd hate to have to abort after driving all that distance. She proudly informed me that they had just turned away someone from Connecticut for the same reason, and those people had had to drive home, too. At this point, I'd had enough: I cancelled our reservation, got back $60 of the $109 I spent (they charge you $50 to cancel, of course), and drove six hours home. I've been reading reviews all day now, many of which are similar, or even worse, than what I went through... so while I'm happy that I'm not alone in this experience, I wish I'd read some reviews before deciding to waste my vacation time driving around in a circle. I won't be trying that mess again. read more

I went here to take advantage of the swimming on the lake. They have 3 lifeguard stations but only one was open the day I went (Monday, August 17th), so the one roped swimming area was very crowded. The water was very nice and warm and super calm unlike the ocean. They have picnic tables near and woods surrounding the lake so you can have a picnic or get some shade there. Umbrellas are a good idea if you insist on sitting in the sandy beach area. Floaty toys are not allowed in the water, but it's still super kid friendly because the water is pretty shallow. The bathrooms and showers are kind of gross, but that's to be expected with only a $5 per car entry fee ($10 on holidays and weekends). They do have a concession stand if you need some food but I didn't have anything there so I cannot comment on the quality of food quality. read more

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Well this is the second time this year 2017 April & Labor Day and all is well till the forest staff leaves for the night, then all hell breaks out Music played till about 11:30pm then all I heard till about 4:30 am were people talking, the state police patrol maybe once. I like this place very much maybe in the fall or winter or spring but never on summer holidays. read more

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As first time campers, choosing the wrong camp park can be a horrible experience (esp. for people who can't live without a bathroom with running water). Bass River State Forest is a good campsite that offers the limited conveniences that would satisfy most people who hate the idea of living/sleeping outdoors. Reserving a campsite location is quickly done via the ReserveAmerica website. The three campsites (Southshore Loop 002, 003 and 004) chosen were OK but less than perfect. The three campsites are located too close to the main road. You may get annoyed by the cars driving by or the headlight glares during the night. Despite the annoyances, the campsites chosen were spaciously spreadout and relatively flat (which is ideal to put up tents and equipment). Each site has a picnic table and a fire pit. Bathrooms and showers (which are well maintained) are available within walking distance. An outdoor fresh water pump is also available for campers to use. A fresh water lake and man-made beach are nearby and within walking or biking distance. Visitors can rent rowboats and canoes. Swimming is allowed in designated areas with lifeguards. Bass River State Forest is a good place for first time campers and for those who enjoy camping but still want access to bathroom/shower facilities. I would return to Bass River for future camping trips but would reserve an area further away from the road. As a public service reminder, always be prepared with an emergency kit that includes repellent for mosquitoes, fleas and ticks. read more

Clean bathrooms and showers. Comfortable distance between campsites. Not crowded the week before 4th of July. Quiet. Pets allowed at certain sites. LOTS of ticks, all kinds. read more

Bass River State Forest - View of campground lake - Parks Near Me - Tuckerton, New Jersey

We came here for July 4th weekend for a getaway. The park was very crowded actually it was booked. We stayed at campsite 4, one of the last ones left when we tried to book it. The campsite is spacious but not private at all. Everything can be seen, I am someone who likes to be tucked away from everyone's site. I could see campsite 2,3 and about 6 other campsites from where we stayed, wasn't too happy about that but we managed. The site is right on the road so you will see headlights quite a few times during the night. I doubt that every weekend is like this but it was loud, super loud. Music was blasting from like 3 different locations, I usually don't mind it but it was obnoxious. There is a lake across the way but unfortunately we never made it, we were just too lazy, LOL. I will come back again but I scoped out a few other campsites that were much better mainly the dog friendly areas. read more

Bass River State Forest - Campsite 4 - Parks Near Me - Tuckerton, New Jersey

I can't say I fully love my experience at Bass River State Forest. My plans for the weekend were to camp at the campgrounds by the lake. I got detoured through some of the sand back roads of the Pine Barrens. Once I got there I realize my tank was on E. I tried to get out and get gas but many of the roads I went down I had to turn around because of huge puddles. I eventually made it out unscathed. Once at the campgrounds I was faced with a bombardment of rules. The people at the front desk seemed unqualified to do their job, particularly one old lady with glasses. We encountered much frustration regarding our parking pass. The land was very beautiful although there were bugs like crazy. Usually a campfire will keep them away but these bugs seemed even smoke resistant. read more

We had an amazing Labor Day weekend. We stayed at one of the smallest campsites but it was 2 of us and we were happy. The forest is beautiful and there are some hiking trails (not very long though). The trails would be good for biking as well. I agree that there were bugs and showers were very outdated but we went camping so I didn't expect any luxuries. Most campsites were private enough not to see neighbors so we felt like we were alone there. We stayed for 3 nights and had a great time there. read more

Just left the camp ground. My husband and I originally booked for three nights but wind up leaving one day earlier. The bathrooms and showers were disgusting. We both waited to get home to shower. I am surprised as many rules as a state park would have that they don t keep it cleaner. Both the campsite restrooms and beach restrooms were horrible. read more

Its nice only to a certain extent.. of youre like me who loves to take photographs and are a photographer.. but there arent many hiking trails at all... this is pretty much a camp site only which you have to pay to get it even though online say free for new jersey residents..they switch it to 5$ weekdays 10$ weekends for new jersey residents ... I sorta wouldnt recommend here also saw another review about alot of ticks at the camp site i want to go camping but it wouldnt be at this place.. read more

The park location is not ideal for camping. Garden state parkway is very close and can hear the traffic noise all night. There are 150+ Campsites and so are too crowded. Lot of noise. No silent hour so kids riding bicycles till 1am. Super loud and noisy and irritating.. especially when the kids ride with support wheels for learning. Restrooms stink. They clean only once in the morning. I booked southshore campsite as i read reviews that the northshore sites are noisy and closer. But disappointed here too. Way too many fat people with fat kids and made a mess on the campsite and the lake absegami. Totally a nasty park, lake and campground anyone should avoid ! ! read more

Campground was the most disgusting place I have camped in my 26 years of camping. Firstly, the lake is closed because they can't find any lifeguards( not their fault) we asked if there was anything else to do since they didn't have it opened. Told us that Atlantic City was 30 minutes away. We get to the camp site and no one had even checked it before we came in because there was still garbage everywhere. Half the bathrooms were closed and the ones that were you could tell were not taken care of. There was fecal matter on the walls, blood covering the paper towel dispensers, throw up in the sink that stayed there for days, and not to mention the showers were so disgusting I wouldn't even step foot in there with my shoes on. I called to ask when they would be cleaned and the woman who answered the phone legitimately yelled at me with what seemed to be something scripted, yelling that the bathrooms were 40+ years old and she can't control that people walk in with muddy shoes. I told her it doesn't matter how old it was, they weren't being cleaned. And she obviously wasn't listening to my concerns because I said nothing about the muddy floors. It seemed like multiple people must have complained because she was very quick and rude towards me. At the end of her raising her voice at me, she asked me how long ago I had been In the bathroom. I said 10 minutes. She said " oh, I guess I'll get someone out there", and I watched as the guy walked in, was in there for less than a minute, walked out and drove away, and the place still wasn't cleaned, besides a quick sweep of the floor the rest of my trip. They didn't even have a door for the handicapped stall which is absolutely disrespectful. It was completely unacceptable. This camp site isn't what it used to be by far. I'm surprised the department of health hasn't gotten involved yet. read more

I hated camping here, it was incredibly boring though I went during National Puerto Rican Day (which I should have been stoked about cos I am a Rican') but it was overcrowded, the trails were wimpy, not too many animals to see besides bugs (found some awesome moths). I never got to get in the lake because I hate going anywhere with lots of kids peeing and pooping in lakes. It was hard to sleep due to kids and teens during the night. I biked nearly 4 miles to try to find food and failed. Do not go here. read more