Hiking in Parvin State Park

Wednesday, November 2, 2022 

Hi Blog!

Wherever we are camped, we are always on the lookout for hikes, bikes and paddles. After exploring along the Delaware River the other day, we turned our focus inland. This part of South Jersey is filled with farms and housing developments. We were not sure we would find any long hiking trails, but then we came across Parvin State Park. There are nine different trails in the park totaling more than 15 miles.

In 1796, Lemuel Parvin settled in what is now the park and dammed the Muddy Run stream to power a sawmill, thus creating Parvin Lake. In 1930, the State of New Jersey bought 918 acres of land in what is now the park, and from 1933 to 1941 the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) developed the park.

To start our adventure, we decided to hike the Parvin Lake Loop Trail. We started our hike at the boat launch at Fisherman's Landing:

Parvin State Park is in an area of transition between the Pine Barrens and hardwood forest and includes a variety of terrain. Its ecology is unusually diverse, including areas of hardwood and white cedar swamp, lowland pine forest, and upland pine and oak forest. The park's at least 50 species of trees include white cedar, pitch pine, red maple, several species of oak, black cherry, and winterberry holly. Common types of bushes in the park include greenbrier, wild azaleas, mountain laurel and sweet pepperbush.  We spotted most of these tree species just on our hike.

The falling leaves make a crunchy carpet:

Standing at the bridge over the spillway, it is hard to believe that the average depth of the lake is only four feet!

We crossed the White Bridge, completed by a team of World War One veterans in 1940.  The little island is now known as Flag Island for the American Flag the Boy Scouts displayed there.   

In the late 1800s, a local businessman began creating recreational facilities in the area around the lake, which became known as Union Grove Lake. A beach was created near its present location and included a boat livery, concession stand and caretaker's house. It is now run by the state park agency.  

 

The beach is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

During WWII some of the facilities in the park were used to provide a summer day camp for the children of Japanese workers, displaced from their homes, who worked at the nearby Seabrook Farms. In 1944 German prisoners of war from Fort Dix were relocated to Parvin State Park where they lived while working on local farms and at the food processing plant.

We had a beautiful late fall day. We stopped to wonder at the complexity of the mycelium network that has taken over this tree trunk.

Fifteen thousand years ago, this part of New Jersey was a barren, ice covered tundra. As the glaciers, which extended as far south as central New Jersey, slowly receded, the land became a habitable forest, supporting wildlife and early native cultures whose artifacts have been discovered along nearby streams. 

A thousand years ago, ancestors of the Lenape Indians hunted and fished in the stream we know today as the Muddy Run, which feeds Parvin Lake.

Today, a turtle lounges on a fallen tree on the banks of Muddy Run:

The CCC remained at Parvin State Park until 1937 during which time they cleared portions of the forest for campsites, created trails and roadways, and constructed gates, campsite markers, tent platforms, and pavilions. They also built several bridges across Muddy Run, like this one.

  

We were surprised to learn that four Mute Swans make their home on Parvin Lake. Mute Swans aren't mute, but their hoarse, muffled trumpet or bugle call given during territorial defense doesn't carry like the calls of other swan species. Mute Swans also make an explosive snorting or hissing when threatened or disturbed.

We stopped at one of the empty campsites to have lunch, but were busted by the Park Police for not having a permit to use the site. Once the park ranger realized we were just a couple of old farts, she let us off with just a warning.

The group campground is directly across from the day use beach. We thought this might be a nice lake to kayak, when we noticed a lone kayaker glide by.

In October 1937, the original CCC Company was transferred to Fallon, Nevada and the newly formed Company, which comprised of World War I veterans, was established at the Park. These skilled workers put the finishing touches on Thundergust Lake, building the adjoining picnic area and completing the landscaping throughout the Park. The veterans constructed all the rental cabins and the caretaker's cabin, most of which are still in use. 

Each of the 16 cabins has a furnished living room with fireplace; two rooms with either two or three bunks in each; kitchen with running water, electric stove, refrigerator; bathroom with sink, toilet, and shower; electricity; brick patio with table and grill. Each accommodates 4 people. Two additional 6-bunk cabin are accessible for people with disabilities. Thundergust Lake is smaller than Parvin Lake, but just as scenic.

The trail around Thundergust Lake is less traveled than Parvin Lake. The small lake made it easier to see the wildlife.

Here's a fun fall photo:

One of the CCC's  biggest and most difficult tasks was the removal of fallen trees and digging out of the muck in the swamp which would become Thundergust Lake.

After finishing the one mile Thundergust Lake Loop, we crossed back to the Parvin Lake Trail

We caught a painted turtle enjoying the afternoon sun.

Fishing is excellent in Parvin Lake, Thundergust Lake and Muddy Run. Bass, pickerel, catfish, yellow perch and sunfish are the main catches. If you don't have a boat, you fish from the pier.

We covered about five miles hiking around both lakes. If the nice weather continues, we may bring our kayaks back. 

Looking forward to tonight's World Series Game. Go Phillies!