| Parvin State Park | |
|---|---|
 October sunset over the lake | |
| Location | Pittsgrove Township |
| Coordinates | 39°30′39″N75°07′58″W / 39.510853°N 75.132642°W /39.510853; -75.132642[1] |
| Area | 465-acre (1.88 km2) |
| Opened | 1931 |
| Operated by | New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry |
| Website | Official website |
Parvin State Park is astate park located in the southwestern part ofNew Jersey. Situated around Parvin Lake on the edge of thePine Barrens, the park includes pine forests, hardwood forests, and swamps. The park is located nearPittsgrove Township inSalem County, and is operated and maintained by theNew Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry.
Parvin State Park is inPittsgrove Township,Salem County, New Jersey,[1] 5 miles west ofVineland, in an agricultural area.[2] The largest lake in the park is Parvin Lake, which occupies much of the eastern corner of the park and into which flows a stream, theMuddy Run; there is a smaller lake, Thundergust Lake, to the south of Parvin Lake.[2]
About 465 acres (1.88 km2) of the park are designated as the Parvin Natural Area.[2][1]
Parvin State Park is in an area of transition between thePine Barrens and hardwood forest and includes a variety of terrain;[1] its ecology is therefore unusually diverse,[2] including areas of hardwood andwhite cedar swamp, lowland pine forest, and upland pine and oak forest. The park's at least 50 species of trees includewhite cedar,[1]pitch pine,red maple, several species of oak,black cherry, andwinterberry holly.[2] Common types of bushes in the park includegreenbrier, wildazaleas,mountain laurel, andsweet pepperbush.[2] The endangeredswamp pink grows in the park.[1]
The park has at least 180 species of birds.[3] The wildturkey,barred owl,yellow-billed cuckoo, and many species ofwarblers live in the park's forests. The lakes and Muddy Run are habitats of theprothonotary warbler, thegreat blue andgreen heron, thegreat egret, and more than a dozen species of ducks;black-crowned night herons,pied-billed grebes, andospreys are also seen on the lakes occasionally.[2]
There are remains ofLenape encampments near the park. The first recorded European settlement in the area was in 1742. In 1796, Lemuel Parvin settled in what is now the park and dammed the Muddy Run stream to power a sawmill, thus creating Parvin Lake.[2]
In 1930, the state of New Jersey bought 918 acres of land in what is now the park,[2] and from 1933 to 1941 theCivilian Conservation Corps developed the park. The park was used in 1943 as a summer camp for the children ofinterned Japanese Americans, in 1944 as aprisoner of war camp forGerman soldiers from theAfrika Korps,[1][2] and in 1952 as temporary housing forKalmyk Americans who fled their homelands in theUSSR.[1]
Four-bunk cabins: $55 per night for NJ residents and $65 per night for out of state residents.Six-bunk cabins: $75 per night for NJ residents and $85 per night for out of state residents.
A lifeguard staffed swimming beach is provided at Parvin Grove, which is located on Parvin Lake. Swimming is available fromMemorial Day toLabor Day.
There are several picnic areas with grills and tables. For large groups, a reservation fee is applied.
