Belleplain State Forest (Cape May County, Cumberland)
Recently I found myself back down near Maurice River and at the East Creek Trail in the Belleplain State Forest. Belleplain State Forest is a 20,000+ acres located in both Cape May County and Cumberland. There are plenty of different trees like pine oak and Atlantic, and animals lurking around, and it’s pretty well maintained.
Belleplain State Forest was established in 1928.
The trail itself at Belleplain State Forest is a very flat, and runnable (if you want, I did not) 4.8-mile. The creek is located in Belleplain State Forest. It’s marshy, swampy, and in the summer has a lot of mosquitos. If you go to Belleplain State Forest in the Spring, Summer, and probably fall you will deal with mosquitos, but it’s like that anywhere in the Pineland area.
Also, check for ticks because I saw plenty of deer ticks of grass blades and picked about 10 off me. Yes, 10.
Never the less, hiking at Belleplain State Forest was a lot of fun, and it was a nice and relaxing morning. As most people know, one of my goals this summer is to get outside and enjoy the outdoors as much as possible!
Here are a few photos from Belleplain State Forest:
In all, Belleplain State Forest was another fun spot to go. I’ll go back but probably wait until the winter when there are fewer bugs.
Here are other hikes I’ve done this Spring and Summer:
Hiking Turkey Swamp in Freehold
Exploring Cattus Island in Toms River
Exploring Hartshorne Park in the Highlands
Hiking to the Cape May Lighthouse
Hiking Bear Mountain in a Downpour
You can see all hikes here.
Questions for you:
What is your favorite bug spray?
Do you have any plans for the summer?
I don’t know how you do it… I’m not about that tick life. My least favorite!!
I hate hate hate ticks but I check after every outing before getting into a car and then again in the shower. I think I’ll still stay out of the pines.