SWIMMING ADVISORY:Closed for the season
Swimming is only permitted on State Park Service property in designated areas when lifeguards are on duty. Visit the swimming schedule page of our website to stay up to date on when lifeguards will be on duty during the 2024 season.
PARK ADVISORY: Hunting at Parvin State Park is only permitted in designated areas by bow only.
Discover this hidden gem located just outside the Pine Barrens and filled with history and plenty of recreational opportunities.
Located less than five miles from Vineland, New Jersey and 40 miles south of Philadelphia, Parvin State Park is a hidden gem. Parvin is home to history as well as plants and animals. Built in the 1930s, by the Civilian Conservation Corp, Parvin contains campsites, cabins and a summer swimming beach on Parvin Lake. There are 15 miles of trails for walking, jogging or biking and two lakes for canoeing and kayaking. Come visit for the day or longer.
The park not only has pine forests typical to the area but also a swamp hardwood forest. Spring bursts out in bright colors and rich fragrances with blossoming dogwood, laurel, holly, magnolia, wild azalea and over 200 kinds of flowering plants. Thundergust Lake, Parvin Lake and Muddy Run are popular for fishing and boating.
This park served as home for the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1933 to 1941, a summer camp for the children of displaced Japanese Americans in 1943, a POW camp for German prisoners in 1944 and temporary housing for the Kalmycks who fled their homelands in Eastern Europe in 1952.
Biking
The park’s open terrain and various trails are suitable for biking.
Hiking
Fifteen miles of trails throughout the park are open year-round. Parvin State Park volunteers assist with the maintenance of these trails.
General Guide to the trails at Parvin State Park
Online reservations can be made at camping.nj.gov.
Campsites
The park has 54 tent and trailer sites located on the south shore of Parvin Lake. Each campsite contains a fire ring, picnic table, lantern hook and a playground nearby. Six people and two vehicles are allowed per site. Flush toilets, showers, are within walking distance. Laundry facilities are unavailable at this time. Please call the office regarding this operation. Facilities are accessible for people with disabilities. Trailer sanitary station is located on the south shore of Parvin Lake.
Group campsites
The park has four group sites that accommodates up to 25 people per site for a total capacity of 100 persons. Flush toilets, water, fire rings, picnic tables and one shelter is available. Group campsites are located on the south shore of Parvin Lake.
Cabins
The park has 18 cabins each with furnished living room with a fireplace or wood burning stove; outdoor campfire rings; two bedrooms to accommodate four people; kitchen with running water, electric stove, refrigerator; bathroom with sink, toilet and shower; electricity; brick patio with table and grill. Two of the cabins are accessible for persons with disabilities and offer accommodations for six people. Playground available. Cabins are located on the north shore of Thundergust Lake.
Pet Friendly Camping
Family campsites 45 through 55 are designated pet friendly campsites. There is an additional charge of $5 per night to utilize the pet friendly campsites. Pet friendly camping is limited to domestic dogs and cats, with a maximum of two pets per camping permit. A Pet Registration and Certification form is required during the check-in process which will be retained in the area files. Dogs and cats must have current rabies vaccinations. Written proof of the pet's current rabies/distemper vaccine and license (if a license is required by the resident's State) must be provided during the check-in process.
Swimming
A lifeguard staffed swimming beach is provided at Parvin Grove, which is located on Parvin Lake. Parking areas, bathhouse, first-aid station, canoe rental and a concession offering refreshment, novelties and beach supplies are all conveniently located nearby. Picnic groves with tables, grills and playgrounds are located on either side of the beach. Swimming is only permitted during the summer months when lifeguards are on duty. Inner tubes, rafts and other flotation devices are not permitted in the swimming area. Only Coast Guard-approved Personal Floatation Devices (PFD) are allowed.
Playground
Visitors have access to children’s playgrounds located nearest the picnic and beach areas of the park.
Boating, canoeing and kayaking are permitted at Parvin State Park and is limited to electric motors only. A public boat launch and a cartop launch is located at Fisherman's Landing. The launch ramp is available from sunrise to sunset year round for a fee. From Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, required permits can be purchased at the park office. Canoe rentals are available seasonally near Parvin Lake. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (SUP) are permitted at Parvin State Park. Each person must have on a wearable Coast Guard approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD).
Fishing
Fishing is excellent in Parvin Lake, Thundergust Lake and Muddy Run. Bass, pickerel, catfish, yellow perch and sunfish are the main catch.
Hunting
Approximately 330 acres of Almond Road are open to hunting for deer, turkey and small game. Hunting is subject to Division of Fish and Wildlife regulations (link is external).
Picnicking
Several picnic areas with table and grills are located throughout the Park. For larger groups, we also offer two reservable picnic areas at Thundergust Lake that allow 100 people per pavilion for a total capacity of 200 persons. Flush toilets, water, grills, picnic tables, activity and ball fields available.
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. Reservations for picnic areas are handled by the individual park area offices.
Reservations can be made over the telephone using a credit card, or by mail using the Group Picnic Reservation form. Payment in full of the appropriate group picnicking fee must accompany this application.
Situated at the edge of the New Jersey Pine Barrens, the Parvin Natural Area, which is approximately 465 acres, combines many of the characteristics and species of southern New Jersey and the Pine Barrens. Several trails run through the hardwood and Atlantic white cedar swamps, pitch pine lowlands and upland pine and oak forests. Parvin is home to the state-threatened barred owl and the endangered swamp pink.
A NJ State Park Service Special Use Permit is required for various types of short-duration, organized activities and/or events within a state park, forest and/or historic site. Examples of organized activities and/or special events include, but are not limited to press events, commercial photography and/or filming, corporate events, fundraisers, festivals, demonstrations, walkathons and races, concerts, Televised events and/or commercial use of or on State Park Service lands and/or waters.
To learn more about Special use Permits click here.
Facilities for People with Disabilities
The Parvin State Park recreational facilities are partially accessible for persons with disabilities. Please contact the park office at 856-358-8616 for further information regarding disability access needs. Text telephone (TTY) users, call the NJ Relay & CapTel Service at 711 or 1-800-852-7897 for English or 1-866-658-7714 for Spanish.
All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
Recreational use of ATVs is not permitted on NJ State Park Service property. This includes state parks, forests, recreation areas, golf courses, marinas, natural areas, historic sites, and preserves. Thank you for your help in protecting New Jersey’s natural and historic resources. [N.J.A.C. 7:2-3.4(d)]
Smoking
State law prohibits the smoking of tobacco and use of electronic smoking (vaping) devices in all state parks, forests, historic sites, recreation areas, golf courses and marinas. [N.J.P.L.2005, c.383 (C.26:3D-56)]
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in state parks, forests, recreation areas, golf courses, marinas, natural areas, historic sites, and preserves. [ N.J.A.C. 7:2-2.6 ]
Keep Your Park Clean and Green
Protect plants and animals and care for your parks by taking your trash with you. Whatever you carry into the park, plan on carrying it out too. It’s like crowdsourcing trash management! Bring a bag or two for trash, recycling and cleaning up after your pet. There are no trash receptacles in this park. Thank you!
Swimming
Swimming is permitted, while lifeguards are on duty, from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. The beach area includes changing rooms, restrooms, showers, a first-aid station and a concession building where food and beach supplies may be purchased. Inner tubes, rafts and other flotation devices are not permitted in the swimming area. Only U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets are allowed.
Pets
Pets must always be on a leash no longer than six feet in length and under the control of the owner. Please clean up after your pets.
Tick Protection
Use insect repellent, wear light-colored clothing, tuck pants into socks, stay on trails, check yourself when you get home, shower and wash clothes immediately.
Be Bear Aware
Black bears are found throughout New Jersey. Do not approach or attract bears by making food available. Feeding bears is dangerous and illegal. Never run from a bear! To report an aggressive bear, call 1-877-WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337) immediately. Please report any damage or nuisance behavior to the park office. Visit the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife at www.njfishandwildlife.com for additional information on bear safety.
Phone Number
856-358-8616
Address
701 Almond Road,
Pittsgrove, NJ 08318
Email Address
Parvin@dep.nj.gov
Park Office Open 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. except for camping and swimming season at which time the office hours will expand. Please call for hours.
After Labor Day to Memorial Day Weekend
Free
From Memorial Day Weekend thru Labor Day
Walk-In / Bicycle Fee
NJ Residents $2.00
Non Residents $2.00
GPS Coordinates
39.511968, -75.134925