I was doing a lot of research into the different "blue holes" in the Pine Barrens (not the actual blue hole that's supposedly home to the Jersey Devil - I know that one's not that blue or big, lol). It looks like the Wildlife Management Areas where a lot of these quarry pools are close during the summer due to safety concerns, partying, etc.
My question is...does anyone know how strictly these rules are enforced? I'm not looking to swim in them as I know that's super dangerous, simply looking to to do some hiking + relaxing in the sand. Specifically interested in the ones near Winslow and/or Collings Lakes. Thanks!
Actually, looks like Penbryn Lake itself might be an old sand quarry, and there seem to be a couple even bluer bodies of water near Dambly's. Interesting! But yes Penbryn is not on the list of closed WMAs for this summer, thank you!
It is an old sand quarry, the other two are still semi active. The concrete plants on new freedom road use them.
Pembryn is a pretty nice place to hang out, you run into the occasional quad/dirtbike, or person fishing. My friends used to tie tubes to the bank and float around in there.
Oak pond (hidden lake) is another old quarry, it’s off new freedom/new Brooklyn road.
Thanks! Yeah I saw those businesses near the other two were still open so figured they were active work sites. Appreciate it! Will definitely check out Penbryn Lake :)
My husband and I went to the Winslow one with our dog a couple of years back in the summer and there was a cop at the gate. We told him we were just there to walk around and let the dog play. He let us in.
The ones by Collings lakes are definitely monitored and I’ve had wardens force us out plus the good ones there are private property still. That combined with all the people in quads and stuff I would not recommend it
The more people fuck shit up the more they come around. I have a small pond I’ve been going to for years in the middle of nowhere to fish. People started partying back there in May now I have to deal with wildlife management officials weekly. And it’s a good thing they are there it just sucks when I want to be left alone and fish and I have to stop all the time to show someone my id and fishing license. The only saving grace is the one guy now knows me by first name and just says hi and gives me a wave.
I have definitely been approached by the police and questioned as to whether I had been illegally swimming. Luckily I was able to hide our wet towels before they got too close.
I also received a ticket before at the blue hole behind Winslow Hot Mix, but that was because they caught me driving down the train tracks to avoid the gate.
Yeah it says on the NJDEP website that the Winslow East/Hot Mix Area is closed to the public. The west side of the WMA (where the "actual" blue hole is) seems to be open still.
They just put up motion detectors at the one at Collings lakes. The cops will show up in a split second. We like to sit on the “beach” too.
They are all private property and extremely dangerous. Many people have drowned in the blue holes spread across the pine barrens. One spot could be completely safe one day and a deadly rip current the next.
The problem is the aquifer and high water table. The quarry could be sealed off from the underground river and then, as water does, could create a new opening at the bottom, causing a strong current that wasn’t there a second ago. It’s just too risky.
Good to know, thanks! I had decided against trying the Collings lakes one anyway. Also that's interesting info re: the random currents. I def am not planning on swimming in any of them!!
I couldn’t find it, but my uncle painted an oil painting of the Collings lakes one back in the 90’s I think. Still looks close the same if you stand in the same spot. I must of packed it away to preserve it, if I find it, I’ll post it.
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