Parvin State Park

Parvin State Park is a nature reserve in Salem County spanning about 465 acres between the Pine Barrens and hardwood forests. The park contains two lakes and supports diverse plant and animal habitats across its varied terrain.

The park served as a summer camp for Japanese American children during World War II starting in 1943. The following year it became a detention facility for German prisoners of war.

The land shows traces of Lenape settlements and was later settled by European colonists. The area took its name from Lemuel Parvin, a local landowner whose family lived here for generations.

The park provides 56 camping sites with fire rings and picnic tables plus 18 furnished cabins near Thundergust Lake for overnight stays. Visitors should expect wet conditions and seasonal changes that vary throughout the year.

The area is home to around 50 tree species including white cedar and pitch pine that thrive in this transition zone. A rare treasure is the endangered swamp pink plant found in only a few northeastern locations.

Location: New Jersey

Inception: 1931

Operator: New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry

Website: http://state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/parvin.html

GPS coordinates: 39.51085,-75.13264

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:28