Those looking to enjoy an RV vacation immersed in the great outdoors without going too far into the boonies should point the campervan towards southern New Jersey. Parvin State Park is conveniently located halfway between Philadelphia and Atlantic City and provides visitors with a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities across over 2,000 acres of unspoiled nature. The park was constructed with the help of the Civilian Conservation Corps back in the early 1930s and has since been used for a variety of purposes, including a children's summer camp and housing for refugees. Nowadays, the park is open to visitors year-round and is a favorite outdoor playground for locals and vacationers alike.
Parvin State Park's two lakes see large crowds during the warm summer months, from sunbathers and swimmers to boaters and anglers. There are even canoe rentals and lifeguards on duty. Other popular activities include hiking on the park's scenic trails, picnicking along the shoreline, and hunting during designated seasons.
No matter how you choose to spend your time at Parvin State Park, you'll be able to rest easy at Jagger's Point Campground. RVers can choose from over 30 sites, and although no hookups are available, modern facilities like flush toilets, hot showers, and laundry facilities are within walking distance of your campsite. So, what are you waiting for? Pack up the campervan and mosy on over to Parvin State Park for a camping trip the whole family will love.
Conveniently situated in southwestern New Jersey, Parvin State Park is located just a few miles off of US-40 and NJ-55, so it is fairly easy to access by RV or car. This New Jersey state park sits in Pittsgrove Township just outside of the city of Vineland, less than an hour from Philadelphia to the north and from the popular beaches along the Jersey Shore to the southeast.
While there is a concession stand in the park's Parvin Grove area, visitors have plenty of options for more extensive supply runs within just a few miles of the park. There are several restaurants and shops just outside of Parvin State Park in Pittsgrove Township, and even more restaurants, shops, and grocery stores in nearby Vineland.
Once inside the park, the road in the campground is paved but narrow, so visitors should make sure to navigate that area with the appropriate caution. Guests can plan to park at their campsites or in designated areas throughout the park, such as at the Parvin Grove Day-Use Area, next to the boat launch on Parvin Lake, at the Thundergust Lake Day-Use area, and at the Interpretive Center.
For a small-town country camping experience, check out the Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA just outside downtown Philadelphia. This campground offers pristine facilities and modern amenities, and all RV sites provide full hookups and Wi-Fi. Guests can enjoy the campground’s unique on-site amenities such as a dog park, a playground, a catch-and-release pond for fishing, and a swimming pool. If you’re interested in exploring Philadelphia and the local area, the campground is close to Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field. New York, Atlantic City, and historic Valley Forge are only a day-trip away.
Parvin State Park offers 33 RV sites at Jaggers Point Campground on the south shore of Parvin Lake. Each site has a lantern hook, fire ring, and picnic table. While these sites do not have water, electric, or sewer hookups, potable water is available at multiple points throughout the campground, and there is a sanitary station located near the entrance. Restrooms with showers, laundry facilities, and a playground are all within walking distance of each site. A few sites are designated as pet-friendly, with a small additional fee. There are also more than 20 tent-only campsites available at Jaggers Point if you'd like to get out of the RV and sleep under the stars for a night or two. The campground is open from April through October, and sites can be reserved up to 11 months in advance.
Parvin State Park is home to a diverse range of plants and animals year-round, making it an ideal spot for birders and wildlife enthusiasts to park the teardrop at any time of year. During the colder months, visitors can look out for white-tailed deer, while in spring, you can hope to spot tanager, wood-warblers, and orioles. During peak season over the summer, visitors can look out for owls, frogs, eastern flying squirrels, and eastern red bats. The autumn offers stunning fall foliage at the park and is a major draw for visitors.
Visitors eager to incorporate hunting into their RV trip will be excited to hear that hunting is permitted in designated areas within Parvin State Park, with over 300 acres open to hunting, located primarily in the northern area of the park. Hunters can enjoy taking aim at deer, small game, waterfowl, and turkey within the park. Visitors should always review state fish and wildlife regulations and connect with park rangers before incorporating hunting into their trip.
Anglers will be happy to hear that Thundergust Lake, Parvin Lake, and Muddy Run are all popular fishing spots within Parvin State Park. Those eager to try their luck at reeling in a keeper in one of the park’s three bodies of water can take advantage of the fishing areas in Parvin Grove, Fisherman’s Landing, Thundergust Lake day-use area, and along Muddy Run. Anglers looking for a challenge should head to Parvin Lake, where they can try to reel in largemouth bass.
If you are camping with a crowd, Parvin State Park has you covered. There are four group campsites available on the southern edge of Lake Parvin, each able to accommodate up to 25 people. Each site is equipped with fire rings and picnic tables, and restrooms, potable water, and a shared picnic pavilion can all be found nearby. The group campground is open from April through October, and reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance.
Those looking to add a little luxury into their RV vacation can rent one of Parvin State Park's 18 cabins. The cabins are situated along the northeast side of Thundergust Lake and offer a variety of sleeping arrangements and amenities. You can choose from either a four bunk or six bunk cabin, and there are also two ADA-accessible cabins available. All of the cabins will afford you modern conveniences like electricity and indoor plumbing, along with fireplaces, full kitchens, and furnished living rooms. Outside, guests will find a patio with a grill and table and a playground located nearby. Cabins are available to rent from April through October, and reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance.
If you were unable to secure a campsite at Parvin State Park, don't fret. There are numerous alternative options in the nearby area, and you won't have to drive too far to find a place to park the rig for the night. Wharton State Forest is located just over 30 minutes from the park and offers hundreds of primitive style sites to RV campers. If you are interested in more modern camping facilities, check out Acorn Campground located about an hour south of Parvin State Park on the scenic Cape May Penninsula. Here guests will be treated to more than 300 RV-friendly sites, all equipped with either water and electric or full hookups.
Visitors hoping to explore this 2,092-acre park by foot can lace up their hiking boots and explore the park’s many miles of trails. Trails vary in length and difficulty and will lead you through pitch pine lowlands, upland pine and oak forests, and hardwood and Atlantic white cedar swamps. Those eager to soak up the beauty surrounding the park’s main lake can hop on the three-mile Parvin Lake Trail, which circles the lake and crosses a bridge over Muddy Run. Hikers looking to explore beyond the park’s busiest areas can instead try out the three-mile Forest Loop, which starts at the Thundergust Lake Day-Use area and takes visitors deeper into the park’s forests and wetlands.
One of the main highlights of Parvin State Park is its lifeguard-staffed swimming beach on Parvin Lake. There is no better way to escape the summer heat than by cooling off in the park’s sprawling lake, so don't forget to pack your bathing suit along in the motorhome. Located at Parvin Grove, the swimming beach also offers a bathhouse, parking area, first-aid station, and a concession selling refreshments, novelty items, and beach supplies. Swimmers can also take advantage of the park office, playgrounds, and picnic areas with tables and grills, all located nearby.
Visitors eager to take a boat out on the water at Parvin State Park have three great options to choose from: Thundergust Lake, Parvin Lake, and Muddy Run. Parvin Lake allows electric motors only and a public boat launch ramp is located at Fisherman’s Landing. The ramp is available from sunrise to sunset year-round. If you are eager to get on the water but didn't tow your own vessel behind the Sprinter, you can take advantage of the park’s seasonal canoe rentals, which can be found in the Parvin Grove day-use area.
