AREA ATTRACTIONS
Discover a wealth of historic, scenic, and exciting attractions just a stone's throw from our RV park near Atlantic City! Nestled close to Batsto Village, Wharton State Forest, Egg Harbor City, and the Pine Barrens, and many more; Belhaven RV Campground is perfectly positioned for your adventure.
Explore the best of the area with our top recommendations for must-see attractions during your stay at Belhaven Campground:
BATSTO
VILLAGE
Batsto Village, dating back to 1766, offers visitors a glimpse into two centuries of American history, all set against the picturesque backdrop of the Pinelands. This historic village provides a unique window into the past, with its preserved buildings and natural surroundings inviting exploration.
WHARTON
STATE
FOREST
Wharton State Forest, the largest tract of land in the New Jersey State Park System, is home to Batsto Village, a former 18th-century industrial center now open for self-guided tours. The forest offers rivers for canoeing, hiking trails including part of the Batona Trail, unpaved roads for mountain biking and horseback riding, and numerous lakes and fields perfect for wildlife observation.
EGG
HARBOR
CITY
Egg Harbor City has a rich history dating back to 1614 when European settlers first arrived. The Dutch vessel Fortuyn landed at the Mullica River, leading to the establishment of a small settlement. The early settlers, impressed by the abundance of gull eggs in the region, named the area "Eyren Haven," which translates to "Egg Harbor" in English. Over the centuries, Egg Harbor City has evolved from its early roots into a vibrant community known for its unique blend of historical charm and natural beauty.
PINE
BARRENS
The New Jersey Pine Barrens, also known as the Pinelands, is the largest remaining Atlantic coastal pine barrens ecosystem, spanning over seven counties in New Jersey. Its name comes from the area's sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil, which made it difficult for early European settlers to grow traditional crops. Despite this, the Pine Barrens boasts a unique ecology, supporting a diverse array of plants, including orchids and carnivorous species.
BEAR CREEK
PRESERVE
Bear Creek Preserve, larger than many state parks, features diverse habitats and rare plant species within the Lehigh River Watershed. It offers vital refuge for wildlife like black bears, coyotes, Bald Eagles, and migratory songbirds. The preserve is part of a broader landscape of protected lands and recreation areas spanning over 150,000 acres.
TUCKERTON
SEAPORT
Tuckerton Seaport, once known as the Barnegat Bay Decoy and Baymen’s Museum, has grown into a lively maritime village along Tuckerton Creek in Tuckerton, New Jersey. This 40-acre historic site features 17 restored and recreated buildings, all connected by a scenic boardwalk. Explore the maritime forest, wetlands nature trail, two houseboats, a decoy gallery, and a boatworks where Barnegat Bay’s famous sneakbox vessels are brought back to life. It houses historic decoy carving workshops and a replica of Tucker’s Island Lighthouse. Traditional artists and daily demonstrations breathe life into the Jersey Shore’s maritime legacy.
RENAULT
WINERY
Renault Winery, situated in Egg Harbor City and Galloway Township in Atlantic County, New Jersey, is the state's oldest operating winery. As one of New Jersey's largest wine producers, Renault cultivates 48 acres of vineyards and produces around 20,000 cases of wine annually. Named after its founder, the winery has a long-standing tradition of quality winemaking, contributing to New Jersey's rich viticultural heritage.
HISTORIC
SMITHVILLE
Smithville has been a community since the American Revolutionary War, though it remained largely rural until the 1960s. That changed with the opening of Smithville Towne Center, a tourist destination featuring over 80 shops. In the 1980s, the Towne Center expanded to include rides and additional stores under the name "The Village Greene," becoming the focal point of a larger planned community developed in the area.
HAMMONTON
TOWN
Hammonton, a town in Atlantic County, New Jersey, proudly carries the title of the "Blueberry Capital of the World." Nestled in the South Jersey region, it is part of the Atlantic City-Hammonton metropolitan statistical area. The town’s roots trace back to 1812 with the first European settlement. It was named after John Hammond Coffin, son of early settler William Coffin, though the original name "Hammondton" later lost the "d." Hammonton was officially incorporated on March 5, 1866, by an act of the New Jersey Legislature, drawing land from Hamilton and Mullica Townships.
LONG BEACH
ISLAND
The Long Beach Island has been settled since 1690, originally attracting hunters. Barnegat Inlet, crucial for freight and whaling, required a lighthouse due to its treacherous waters. The first lighthouse, built in 1835, was ineffective and destroyed by erosion in 1857. The current Barnegat Lighthouse, completed in 1859 and designed to flash every 10 seconds, was constructed under George Gordon Meade, later a Civil War hero. In 1872, the U.S. Life-Saving Service built Station #17 in Barnegat Light, now a U.S. Coast Guard station.
