New Jersey Swimming Beaches: Top Five Destinations

1. Belleplain State Forest

Rather than a wide and sandy strip of land, the picturesque beach at Lake Nummy is a mixture of
water and woods. The area is busy during the summer, but it’s a beautiful spot if you can find a
quiet day. Pine and oak trees lead almost to the water’s edge, where a thin ribbon of white sand
outlines Lake Nummy. Pineland surrounds the shore, and about 50 tables intermix with the forest
in no particular arrangement. A bathhouse and showers border the shoreline, and the food
concession offers almost anything you need for a day at the beach, from hot dogs and ice cream,
to playing cards, frisbees, and sunscreen. The beach is open to swimmers from Memorial Day
weekend through Labor Day. The Belleplain State Forest office is located in Cape May County,
1.4 miles west of Woodbine on the south side of Route 550.

2. Atsion Recreation Area

Clean and clear Atsion Lake is surrounded by the pitch pines and white sand of Wharton State
Forest. A wide beach overlooks nine log cabins across the lake, and the cordoned-off swimming
area is larger than at most parks. The recreation area contains modern restrooms with showers,
a food concession, first aid station, water fountains, and a telephone. Two playgrounds and
about 40 picnic tables border the parking area, along with a second set of modern restrooms, an
activity field, and two short trails. The 1.3-mile Blue Trail follows the shore of Atsion Lake to
the west, and the .7-mile Red Trail leads from Atsion Lake to the parking area. Wharton's Atsion
office is located in Burlington County, 7.5 miles north of Hammonton on the east side of Route
206.

4. Spruce Run Recreation Area

Spruce Run’s central recreation area is what many people envision when they picture a
traditional beach. The wide swimming area slopes gradually to the shore, backed by a
concession stand and a stone deck holding several picnic tables. Covered pavilions flank a
lifeguard station, and the food concession serves everything from nachos to ice cream. Modern
restrooms, a playground, and parking for about 100 cars service the beach. Spruce Run is
located in Hunterdon County, 2.6 miles north of Clinton on the south side of Van Syckels Road.

3. Wawayanda State Park

Wawayanda’s beach occupies a long and thin strip of sand backed by a grass lawn and picnic
tables. The view from the beach is scenic, taking in Scot Island and boats of all colors plying the
water. A boat concession on the east end of the recreation area rents everything from canoes to
small boats with electric motors. An immobile trailer serves as the food concession, offering a
modest selection of ice cream, hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, pretzels, and soda. One volleyball
net with a sand court lies next to modern restrooms, picnic tables, a playground, and a lifeguard
station. The Wawayanda office is located in Sussex County, 1.4 miles south of the New York
border on the west side of Warwick Turnpike.

5. Bass River State Forest

About 80 picnic tables surround Bass River’s classic sandy beach. Half of the tables sit in
forested groves on the edge of Lake Absegami, and one covered pavilion on the south side of
the beach holds two grills and two long picnic tables. A bathhouse with modern restrooms and
hot showers is nearby, and a food concession sells basic refreshments and supplies. The wide,
white beach is reminiscent of an ocean shore, but the recreation area is very popular during the
summer. The Bass River State Forest office is located Burlington County, 4.8 miles west of
Tuckerton on the north side of Stage Road.