08/21/2026
Ever wonder why the Pine Barrens has so many “perfectly placed” sand roads, bridges, and clear corridors through the woods?
A big part of the answer goes back to the 1930s—when Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps arrived nearby as part of Roosevelt’s nationwide “Tree Army.” In the Pine Barrens, CCC crews cut sand roads and truck trails, built firebreaks, and constructed forest infrastructure—headquarters, bridges, dams, and even man-made lakes—that still shape how people (and firefighters) move through these forests today.
One of the most visible changes: an old cranberry bog was transformed into Lake Nummy, turning working wetlands into a recreation hub that still anchors the layout of the forest with swimming, camping, and cabins nearby. Those same sandy routes and firebreak lines weren’t just for exploring—they were designed to help crews reach remote pitch pine and oak stands fast and slow the spread of wildfires in a landscape built to burn.
Today, the Pinelands is recognized globally as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, packed with rare and threatened plants—and researchers still rely on that early road network to reach ponds and forest edges for long-running wildlife studies.
Staying at Wading Pines Camping Resort soon? We can't wait to welcome you!
