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Belleplain State Forest
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,338 Google reviews · Running trail in Woodbine, New Jersey · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Belleplain State Forest's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Expansive forest space featuring pine, oak & Atlantic white cedar trees plus campgrounds.
What runners say about Belleplain State Forest
“We stayed in a Lean too which was very spacious and clean.”
“We saw beautiful fall foliage and some geese.”
“Stayed at the North Shore campground on a Monday and Tuesday in early August, was not crowded by any means.”
The forest was quiet and very peaceful. I was lucky and got site 23 which had the most shade I could see out of most campsites and most by far of all the ones on the water. Some sites are pretty close to the road but this one was push back a bit which was nice. The bathrooms and showers were clean and stocked.
Bellplain State Forest has been our favorite family camping destination for over a decade. We mainly camp off peak season every spring and fall when the park is less traveled, but we visit for day trips during the summer. Its always beautiful and clean.
We camped here in the last week of august 2022. It was a great park some fish in the lake nummy but most parts are too shallow to catch anything you almost need a boat to get to the deeper part. We stayed in a Lean too which was very spacious and clean. We very much enjoyed our stay. If I could give a 4.
One of my favorite spots to hike, camp and kayak. One of the most affordable campgrounds around. I've only ever camped at CCC sites and they come with firepit and a picnic table. Kayaks can be rented by the hour for very cheap (charged after you return) or bring your own to use on the lake.
Trail conditions & character
“Stayed at the North Shore campground on a Monday and Tuesday in early August, was not crowded by any means.”
“The sites next to the water all have great water views, so book out if you want that.”
“The bathrooms for the campers were cleaned daily and there are wash and dryers available for coin operation.”
“It has lots of trails, a swimming area during summer months at the lake, multiple playgrounds, paved roads for biking, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.”
Plan your run at Belleplain State Forest
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitestate.nj.us
- Phone(609) 861-2404
Hours
| Monday | 8:30 AM–4 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:30 AM–4 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:30 AM–4 PM |
| Thursday | 8:30 AM–4 PM |
| Friday | 8:30 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 8:30 AM–4 PM |
| Sunday | 8:30 AM–4 PM |
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