Parvin State Park is a small-town state park in New Jersey located in the Pine Barrens, and it might be the Garden State's best-kept secret.

For a surprisingly small state, New Jersey is full of hidden corners and big surprises. I've lived here my whole life, and there is still a huge portion of the state I haven't discovered in person yet — but one small-town state park in New Jersey may just be the state's best-kept secret. There are over fifty protected areas designated as state parks, forests, and recreation areas in the state, and one of the most peaceful and out-of-the-way is Parvin State Park, located towards the southern end of the state on the border of the Pine Barrens.

The Pine Barrens are New Jersey's most unique natural landscape, a sprawling 1.1-million-acre wilderness combining pine forests, deep swamplands, and historical remnants of old New Jersey. It's one of the least-developed areas of New Jersey, owing to the difficulty of building in wetlands, which means that the state parks that call it home tend to be unspoiled and perfectly suitable for those who want to experience nature at its best. Over 465 acres, Parvin State Park is one of the least-visited parks in New Jersey — and that means for its lucky visitors, it's a little slice of heaven in the Garden State.

Why Parvin State Park Stands Out in New Jersey

Parvin State Park is the easiest chance most New Jersey residents have to visit the Pine Barrens. This charming, mid-sized state park is located right on the border of the massive ecosystem, but it's also easy to access from nearby towns like Millville. It's one of the more rustic, laid-back parks in New Jersey, so those who come here are usually hoping to take in the natural beauty of the area.

What You'll Experience at Parvin State Park

Two lakes make up the heart of the park. Parvin Lake, the larger of the two, is a popular spot for fishing and boating, and is the center of the park's recreation hub. Thundergust Lake, the smaller and more peaceful lake, is often used by kayakers and is also a great spot for catching catfish and perch. Miles of trails circle around both lakes, offering an easy and accessible hiking experience.

Most hikes in Parvin State Park are rated easy, and are well-maintained and accessible via marked paths. The Thundergust Lake Trail, which takes you around the perimeter of the long lake, is 3.5 miles and makes for a great day adventure. Parvin is also a popular spot for camping, with sites for tent camping and RVs available through the state website, as well as 18 furnished lakeside cabins available from April through October.

What to Know Before You Go

Parvin State Park is open from sunrise to sunset 365 days a year, with office hours extending during the busy season. The park doesn't charge an admission fee, although there is a $2 fee for swimming at the Parvin Grove area between Memorial Day and Labor Day, as well as for the use of camping and boating facilities. Much of the park is home to wildlife, including deer, groundhogs, migrating birds, and other small animals, so please take all the pictures you want, but give the resident critters a safe distance!

Have you explored this small-town state park in New Jersey before? If not, Parvin State Park is open for visitors year-round, so make sure to tell a nature-loving friend about this article and plan your getaway to this peaceful South Jersey hideaway! You can see all the current details about the park on the New Jersey Parks website for Parvin State Park. While you're in the area, make sure to take time to explore the nearby town of Millville, one of New Jersey's most unique towns. You can explore the WheatonArts museum, home to one of the world's best selections of glass art, and dine right by an airport and the iconic Verna's FlightLine Restaurant. And if you're just passing through the Garden State on a road trip, we've got a bunch of other hidden gems waiting for you on Only in Your State's list of the best hidden nature spots in America.