Overall New Jersey only has 31 state parks. But each and every one of them provides a unique landscape to explore.
Combining incredible natural scenic beauty, with lots of chances to enjoy outdoor recreational activity and long stay camping, there is no better way to escape the pressures of city life than spending a few days in nature.
Whether you are into fishing, hiking, swimming, hunting, canoeing, kayaking or SUP, you’ll get plenty of opportunities to do this throughout the state. Especially if you live near Toms River, which is located close to several prominent public recreational spaces.
In case you were wondering which of these places are the best ones to go to, here’s our list of 10 state parks near Toms River you might want to check out.
Map of State Parks Near Toms River NJ
Below is a map of the state parks in New Jersey covered in this post:
List of State Parks Near Toms River
Not all state parks in New Jersey offer camping accommodation options. But the ones we have outlined below do.
All 10 of these state parks near Toms River can be reached within less than a two hour drive from the city. So they also make for excellent day trip destinations as well.
1. Double Trouble State Park
Distance from Toms River: about 5 miles southeast of Toms River (straight-line).
Location: Bayville, NJ
Double Trouble State Park is located in Berkeley and Lacey Townships in Ocean County, in the U.S.
Highlights associated with Double Trouble State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
See our full Double Trouble State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
2. Island Beach State Park
Distance from Toms River: about 11 miles southeast of Toms River (straight-line).
Location: Seaside Park, NJ 08752
Official New Jersey State Park – Atlantic Coast Barrier Island.
Highlights associated with Island Beach State Park include beach access, coastal dunes, and lake recreation.
See our full Island Beach State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
3. Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Distance from Toms River: about 14 miles south of Toms River (straight-line).
Location: 208 Broadway
Barnegat Light, NJ 08006
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is located on the northern tip of Long Beach Island in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States.
Highlights associated with Barnegat Lighthouse State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
See our full Barnegat Lighthouse State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
4. Allaire State Park
Distance from Toms River: about 15 miles north of Toms River (straight-line).
Location: 4265 Atlantic Ave, Wall Township, NJ 07727
At just 20 minutes north of Toms River, the Allaire State Park is right on your doorstep.
Best known for Allaire Village, a historic 19th-century iron making town, and the Pine Creek Railroad, which is a narrow-gauge train ride, this state park also features the mighty Manasquan River.
Meandering its way through the park, this river provides wonderful opportunities for freshwater trout fishing, and is also home to over 200 wildflower species.
For hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders a number of trails are available through the park which will take you through varying terrain. While deer hunting is permitted in certain sections of it too.
Overall there are 45 sites for tents and trailers within the park, as well as 10 shelters and 6 group campsites.
Facilities here include flush toilets and showers, as well as fire rings and picnic tables.
See our full Allaire State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
5. Brendan T. Byrne State Forest
Distance from Toms River: about 15 miles west of Toms River (straight-line).
Location: Woodland Township, New Jersey
Brendan T. Byrne State Forest covers 37,242 acres in Burlington County, New Jersey. Established 1908.
Highlights associated with Brendan T. Byrne State Forest include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
See our full Brendan T. Byrne State Forest guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
6. Warren Grove Recreation Area
Distance from Toms River: about 17 miles southwest of Toms River (straight-line).
Location: 1525 Main Street, Stafford Township, New Jersey 08005
Warren Grove Recreation Area covers 617 acres in Burlington County, New Jersey. Established 1972.
Highlights associated with Warren Grove Recreation Area include river access and wooded landscapes.
See our full Warren Grove Recreation Area guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
7. Penn State Forest
Distance from Toms River: about 20 miles southwest of Toms River (straight-line).
Location: Sooy Road, Washington Township, New Jersey
Penn State Forest is a 3,366-acre (5.259 sq mi) state park in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States.
Highlights associated with Penn State Forest include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include hiking trails, a boat launch, and picnic areas.
See our full Penn State Forest guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
8. Cheesequake State Park
Distance from Toms River: about 34 miles north of Toms River (straight-line).
Location: 300 Gordon Rd, Matawan, NJ 07747
Situated a mere 40 minute drive north from Toms River is Cheesequake State Park.
Spread across 1,610-acres, this state park boasts a huge range of outdoor recreational activities which include five designated walking trails that will take you through forests of northern hardwood and southern pine forests, as well as open fields and both freshwater and saltwater marshes.
At Hooks Creek Lake you will be able to swim when lifeguards are on duty, while canoeing, kayaks, paddleboards and small boats can all be used too. The lake also has great fishing potential for largemouth bass, catfish and sunfish.
On the hill adjacent to the lake sledding is permitted, while the park is also a popular spot for crabbing and deer hunting too. In the winter, both cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are regularly practised as well.
The park offers fifty tent and trailer sites that come with picnic tables and fire rings. There are also flush toilets, shower facilities and a dump station available.
Group camping facilities with upright grills, fire rings and picnic tables are also on offer as well.
See our full Cheesequake State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
9. Parvin State Park
Distance from Toms River: about 58 miles southwest of Toms River (straight-line).
Location: 701 Almond Rd, Pittsgrove, NJ 08318
Flanking the edge of Pines Barren, this park has a picturesque landscape of hardwood forests, pine forest and swamps. Which is perfect to explore via hiking, jogging or biking along its 15 miles of trails. If you come here in the summer you will be able to see over 200 kinds of flowering plants, which include the likes of magnolia, wild azalea and blossoming dogwood.
Centered around two lakes that are great for canoeing, kayaking, SUP and other water based recreational activities, there is also a comely swimming beach here too. Anglers revel in the opportunity to catch bass, catfish, pickerel, sunfish and yellow perch, while hunters have around 330 acres to hunt for deer, small game and turkey.
In terms of camping accommodation there are 54 sites here for tents and trailers, some of which are designated as pet-friendly. Each one has a picnic table, fire ring and lantern hook. Facilities and amenities include flush toilets, showers and a playground.
There are also 18 cabins available too, as well as four group campsites.
See our full Parvin State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
10. Voorhees State Park
Distance from Toms River: about 63 miles northwest of Toms River (straight-line).
Location: 251 County Rd 513, Glen Gardner, NJ 08826
Spread across 1400 acres, this park is notable for its wooded hills, which can be explored through several scenic multi-use trails that are perfect for hiking, biking or horseback riding.
Voorhees also has a parcourse fitness course, which provides opportunities to improve your muscles and cardiovascular conditioning. While its main attraction is arguably an observatory that is managed by the New Jersey Astronomical Association. This gives you a fantastic chance to take in the wonders of the cosmos at night, under crystal clear skies.
In winter the park becomes a haven for sports like cross country skiing and snowmobiling, and is also a terrific spot for wildlife watching all year round.
Camping accommodation takes the form of 30 sites that are set up for tents, RVs and trailers.
See our full Voorhees State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
