Brendan T. Byrne State Forest

Seth Freni

2024-03

Did the Mount Misery trail starting at Pakim Pond. Snow makes everything pretty. It's flat, and has long straight sections of trail, but that's standard for the Pine Barrens.

Kevin Virgin

2023-09

What a great place for a hike! I was in South Jersey for a business appointment and decided to check this place out afterwards. So glad I did. The hiking was very peaceful. Well marked trails. So quiet! For a Saturday afternoon I was shocked by how empty it was. I saw two other people the whole time I was in the woods. If you're ever in the area definitely make a stop.

Packtraverller

2023-07

It is a beautiful Pine forest. It is a great place to go for an easy hike or walk. It is all very flat. They also have a wheelchair friendly trail there. There is also a nice lake to hike to or visit by car.The recent wildfire may have affected some areas of the park, so check before you go.Restrooms: At the lake and the visitor center and campgroundsPicnic area: At the lake

Adventures In South Jersey

2023-05

I took my bike out in the Brendan T Byrne State Forest and had a peaceful adventure! Named after the governor who helped pass the Pinelands Protection Act, it is the second largest state forest. There are over 25 miles of trails to explore. Since I’m not experienced biking in the pines, I did the easier 10.3 mile Lebanon Trail, a wider road that is paved in some areas and sand in others. I started from the Park office made several wrong turns immediately. I checked my map and once I located the orange trail markers I didn’t get lost again. Driving is permitted on this trail but I’m glad I was on my bike because my car would have gotten stuck in the loose sand I encountered heading towards the cranberry bogs. The highlight of my adventure was definitely the diverse landscapes! After passing the cabins I realized I was on the main road that leads to Pakim Pond. I decided to take the red 3.2 mile Cranberry Trail back to the park office. This trail is labeled as handicapped accessible but a regular wheelchair would get stuck in the loose sand. I’d like to return to do the white and green biking trails, hike on the Batona Trail, and camp at one of the cabins near Pakim Pond 🌲🚴🛶🏕️

A. B.

2024-04

Nice place to take a hike, flat, easy trail, at least the 3 miles we walked. Get out your Merlin bird app and identify some birds!

Nathan Brown

2023-05

It had been a long time since I last camped here, it is really out in the middle of no where. Very quiet and dark at night, nice, the campsites are spaced nicely and the bath house was clean. The first has maintained hiking trails, they are mostly flat and hard packed sand, so easy hiking, though very wet after rain.

Cj C

2023-05

Beautiful park with plenty of pine trees. I was able to purchase some t-shirts for friends back home (out west). Guess they had a Bigfoot sighting. You will need hiking boots, plenty of water and snacks to walk the paths. Or better yet bring your bike!

Cath Susla

2023-11

Loved it. Great place to walk. There are lots of trails and it's so peaceful. I recommend it

David M. Dwight

2024-03

This visit: February 18th to 20th, 2022Sarah Rutherford Dwight invited Kit and Me to spend the weekend Sheltering at Brendan T. Byrne State Forest.Sarah arrived Friday evening to spend 3 night's for President's Day Weekend...We arrived shortly after noon for 2 nights...This short respite from our normal busy week was in Shelter #1, it's what I would describe as a Rustic Cabin with a wood burning stove, two bunk beds and no electricity or water..There is a Bath House approximately 150+ yards walk with Men's and Women's Bathrooms and Shower's.We picked up the 3 Sub Special from the Sub Doctors in Tom's River for Lunch and Dinner on Saturday and we prepared Eggs for Breakfast and Hamburgers with Hot Dogs for Lunch today.As the day went on, I asked the Girl's if they wanted Pizza for Dinner.We were going to prepare a repeat of the Burgers and Dog's...I told them that there was a place 10 minutes away and I would take the drive.Sarah in an attempt to sabotage the plan change, asked will they deliver???So I called and after asking a few questions, they would deliver!!!Dinner was the Combo Dinner of a Large Plain Pizza, Buffalo Chicken Wings and a 2 Liter Bottle of Pepsi for a total of$26.45..Requested it for a delivery between 18:00 and 18:30 and it was.The Pizza was Delicious and the Wings hit the spot.The restaurant was Romanza Pizza & Pasta, 38 NJ 72 in Vincentown, N.J.

Monica Lee

2020-05

Beautiful park for any hiker! I just moved to Manahawkin and did not realize how close this place was. We took a “3” mile hike and of course got lost so it ended up being 6 miles. Well worth it!

Caleb Carter

2021-05

Camped out here over the weekend and had a great time. 3 lakes nearby, one being right on the campsites and other two 10 minutes away. Has bathroom and showers (free) as well as firewood. Wawa and a gas station nearby as well as a liqour store (not allowed to drink at campsites but its there). Lots of nice trails as well. Also blueberry fields! Campsites have concrete slabs for tent setups and firepits.

Nate Kleinman

2019-05

All of the public lands in the Pine Barrens are worth a visit. There's nowhere else like it in the world. I love finding old abandoned cranberry bogs (see photos) and blueberry farms. Amazing animals and plants. You can hike all day in the pines and never see another person. It's really wilderness out there.

jbehm58

2024-04

Beautiful trails for hiking or mountain biking. Super friendly and helpful rangers and staff in the office. A true NJ gemRestrooms: Very clean

Dustin Tarditi

2023-05

We stayed at the group camp for a scout backpacking trip. The trails were well-marked and in great condition. The comfort stations were clean and tidy. We had a great experience and plan to return.

Arun Sabale

2023-07

We been there 3/4 times for off-roading and they have lot of tracks and trails if you are looking for hiking place. Not all road in this forest are for off-roading so If you going for first time then try to get map check all roads..

Cody Eldridge

2024-02

Awesome place to camp! Just be mindful of the hoardes of mosquitoes that will visit you in the night. Other than that a great place to connect with the outdoors!

Matt Parker

2022-05

Beautiful morning. Rode the trails a bit for 15 miles. Not too technical and mostly flat as expected but some fun single track at times with some little climbs,drop offs and downhill runs

Dawn

2021-05

Absolutely beautiful! The campsite were beautiful and well kept. Pikam Pond is beautiful . Definitely going again!!

Davon Hudson

2022-05

Love the flat terrain, you can walk for ages here lol. Happened to see a controlled fire, never seen that before. Interesting thing to see happen while you are walking indeed

Mike Piech

2024-02

Solid ~10 mile trail bike loop

Wanda Lopez

2020-05

Beautiful , so much to explore. Pakim Pond is beautiful and so peaceful. I would have given it 5 stars however there must be a better layout of direction when it comes to finding your way back to the park office where the parking lot is at. Too many misguided signs that lead to other areas. Also the estimated milage of how long the trails are should be recalculated as well.

Kottapalli Dorababu

2023-05

This was our first time with family here and although the campsites were great I’m not sure we’ll be returning. Just BE AWARE that the tics are out and the whole place is infested. We were there on memorial weekend (May 27-29, 2022) They are everywhere and on everything. Silk worms, Dog tics and smaller deer tics just everywhere at the campsites, on the tent, on the picnic tables, in our clothes on us, and we didn’t even hike on the trails. after reaching home most of our group members had ticks on body. (They live)

Rony

2023-05

Super chill and calm trail system some parts get a bit sandy and its harder to walk them but overall it's a nice walk and there's a lot to explore. We saw a couple of deer , lots of birds , and a rabbit.

Jerry Keller

2024-04

The views here are fantastic!! Had a very nice day visit the state park.Restrooms: Clean & friendly staff at the desk.

Carmona Cadet

2021-05

Wonderful place to hike. Easy trails. Perfect for beginners. Have public 🚻 along the trails. Very convenient!

Michelle D

2023-05

HUGE Shout Out to Muriel! She was absolutely fantastic!!! After going to the shelters by accident, she came back after her shift to find us! She took us to the cabin we were supposed to be in. She was so nice and made our stay absolutely wonderful. The staff are all super friendly and helpful. The cabin, trails, and pond were so serene. Tons of wildlife and things to do during your stay. We can't wait to go back!

David T

2019-05

This place was great! We camped in a shelter and stayed wonderful warm with the very efficient wood burning stove inside. 4 beds, inside picnic table and heated bathhouse close by. Would definitely stay again

Jim Stapleton

2018-05

A great park in the Pinelands. There are hiking trails that are pretty easy to walk on and a variety of distances. Pakim Pond is a good place to check out. There are trails around the pond to walk on. There is also a picnic area by the pond.

Leon Jones

2017-05

One of my favorite parks to visit and camp in. The campsites are spacious and always clean. Many trails to hike and many interesting things to explore in Brendan T. Byrne! Site 20 is my top choice if you're unsure of which site to pick.

Rich Geldreich

2024-03

Had a black triangle UFO sighting here in late 2018: 3 smaller white lights on the corners, one large central light that oscillated through all the colors of the spectrum. Flew really low over the trees and was totally silent. Reported to MUFON.Wonderful forest, with a really cool area for swimming and boating. Campground and facilities were really clean.