Lake Barnegat Beach
Forked River, NJ
Lake Barnegat Beach trades the ocean and the bay for fresh water, a guarded lake beach in the Forked River section of Lacey Township that fills with families on hot afternoons rather than surfers or anglers. A floating obstacle course anchors offshore in summer, drawing as much attention as the beach itself.
A genuinely kid friendly alternative to the crowded barrier island beaches nearby, though it's a small lake, not a real substitute for an actual day at the shore.
How we score beachesGo on a weekday morning if the floating playground is the draw. It gets busy fast once school lets out for the day.
A lot serves the beach at 251 Lakeside Drive in Forked River.
A flat walk from the lot leads directly to the lake beach, easy for strollers.
Lifeguards work from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in summer, and the freshwater lake warms up faster than the ocean or bay, comfortable for swimming earlier in the season.
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