Parvin State Park
Directions
From Route 55 north or south, take Exit 35 and follow signs to the park. The park is located between Centerton and Vineland on Route 540 (Almond Road).
Park Overview
Hidden in the southwestern part of the state is Parvin State Park, a park whose history is as varied as its wildlife.
Trail Overview
There is a 4.6-mile loop walk using the Parvin Lake Trail, Long Trail, and Thundergust Lake Trail. Use the Web Map link on this site to view a trail map.
Park Description
Situated on the edge of the Pine Barrens, the park not only has pine forests typical to the area but also a swamp hardwood forest. Spring bursts out in bright colors and rich fragrances with blossoming dogwood, laurel, holly, magnolia, wild azalea and over 200 kinds of flowering plants. Thundergust Lake, Parvin Lake and Muddy Run are popular for fishing and boating. Swimming is allowed in Parvin Lake only.
This park served as home for the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1933 to 1941, a summer camp for the children of displaced Japanese Americans in 1943, a POW camp for German prisoners in 1944 and temporary housing for the Kalmycks who fled their homelands in Eastern Europe in 1952.