Blue Hole
Swimming hole in Vineland, New Jersey · Spring
Blue Hole in Winslow Wildlife Management Area, New Jersey, is a cold Pine Barrens spring pool near Vineland and Hammonton. Park at 225 Piney Hollow Winslow Road and hike about 0.6 miles. Swimming is strongly discouraged — verify current NJ DEP WMA rules before visiting.
Typical season: Spring and early summer for mild temperatures and blooming vegetation
About Blue Hole
Blue Hole is a cold, oddly clear spring pool inside the Winslow Wildlife Management Area on the edge of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. day-trip range from Vineland and Hammonton. It became legendary as a 1930s party swim and Jersey Devil lore site. Today the short trail from the Piney Hollow Road gun-range parking still draws hikers for the striking water color. but **swimming is strongly discouraged** on this WMA site, and there are no lifeguards or facilities. Come for the Pinelands hike and photos; for legal swimming, use our New Jersey swimming holes guide and the NJ directory. Photograph the color contrast with tannin-brown Pinelands ponds, then leave the spring pool undisturbed for wildlife and future hikers.
Key facts
Structured details for trip planning — verify access and fees with the land manager before you visit.
- Address
- 225 Piney Hollow Winslow Rd, Williamstown, NJ 08094
- Water type
- Spring
- Water body
- Spring
- Fee
- Free
- Nearest town
- Vineland
- State
- New Jersey
- Coordinates
- 39.62650, -74.89600
- Best season
- Spring and early summer for mild temperatures and blooming vegetation; fall for vibrant foliage; winter for serene, stark beauty.
- Access difficulty
- Moderate; requires a three-fifths mile hike through wooded trails with marked paths.
- Parking
- Designated area
- Restrooms
- None on site
- Lifeguard
- None — assume unguarded
- Land manager
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
- Activities
- Swimming, MAYBE - MAYBE NOT!
- Facilities
- No facilities available; you should plan accordingly and bring necessary supplies.
- Listing last updated
- July 15, 2026
The experience
- Best time to visitSpring and early summer for mild temperatures and blooming vegetation; fall for vibrant foliage; winter for serene, stark beauty.
- AccessModerate; requires a three-fifths mile hike through wooded trails with marked paths.
- FacilitiesNo facilities available; you should plan accordingly and bring necessary supplies.
Highlights & features
- Unique blue waters in the Pinelands
- Historical significance dating back to the 1930s
- Surreal geological formation
- Accessible through scenic hiking trails
- Rich local folklore and legends
- Unusual blue color in Pinelands lakes
- Historical party spot turned remote hiking destination
- Folklore and mysterious reputation
How to get there
Blue Hole is reached by a short hike in Winslow WMA near Berryland.
1. From Vineland, take Route 54 northeast to Route 322, then northwest on Route 322 toward Berryland.
2. From Hammonton, take Route 54 south to Route 322 and turn northwest toward Berryland.
3. From Berryland, turn onto East Piney Hollow Road and continue to the Winslow Fish & Wildlife Management Area gun-range / archery parking on Piney Hollow Road.
4. Park only in the designated lot. Hike the dirt road northwest into the WMA about 0.6 mile, following blue trail markers to Blue Hole.
5. Stay on marked paths — do not create new social trails.
Important: Blue Hole is not a sanctioned swim beach. Enjoy from shore and pack out all trash; ticks are common. use insect repellent.
Plan your visit
Plan a Pine Barrens morning hike, then swim somewhere sanctioned afterward. Bring tick protection, water shoes if you only wet your feet at the edge, and offline maps. More New Jersey swimming holes and blue-hole explainer context live in our guides, plus the NJ directory.
Access & fees
Free trail access from the Winslow WMA gun-range parking on Piney Hollow Road. Unofficial site with no facilities. Swimming is strongly discouraged. treat this as a hike/viewpoint destination and verify current NJ DEP WMA rules before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim in the Blue Hole in New Jersey?
No. Swimming is strictly prohibited and dangerous at the Blue Hole in Winslow Wildlife Management Area. The pool has steep drop-offs, frigid spring currents, and quicksand-like bottom sediment.
Why is the Blue Hole in NJ famous?
The Blue Hole is a legendary Pine Barrens destination steeped in South Jersey folklore, including ties to the Jersey Devil. Its mysterious crystal-blue color comes from deep groundwater fed by the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer.
How do you get to the Blue Hole in Winslow NJ?
Access is via the Winslow Wildlife Management Area archery range parking lot off Piney Hollow Road near Cecil/Hammonton. Follow the dirt road trail approximately 0.6 miles through the pines to the pool.
Can you swim at Blue Hole NJ?
Swimming is strongly discouraged and treated as unsafe by local hikers and guides. The Winslow WMA spring pool has sudden depth changes, very cold water, and a history of drownings — visit as a hike/viewpoint, not a swim beach.
Is Blue Hole NJ bottomless or haunted by the Jersey Devil?
Folklore says bottomless water and Jersey Devil legends, which is why people search it. Physically it is a relatively small, cold spring-fed pool — enjoy the stories from shore.
How long is the hike to Blue Hole from parking?
About 0.6 mile each way (~1.2 miles round trip) on a sandy dirt road from the Winslow WMA gun-range / archery parking on Piney Hollow Road.
Where do you park for Blue Hole Winslow?
Use the designated Winslow Fish & Wildlife Management Area parking off Piney Hollow Road near Berryland. The gate may be closed — park in the lot and walk; do not block the range access.
Is Blue Hole free?
Yes — day hiking access in the WMA is free. There are no facilities; pack out trash.
Explore more nearby swimming guides
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Map & location
Culture & history
Once a popular swimming hole in the 1930s, the site now attracts adventurers and history enthusiasts intrigued by its mysterious reputation.
Conservation
Follow Leave No Trace principles to protect fragile ecosystems. Avoid littering and respect local wildlife.
Sources & updates
Official land managers cited on this page
Always confirm current rules, closures, and fees on the agency site before visiting.
Reference sources
Spotted outdated access, fees, or safety info? Send a correction with the page URL — we review every submission.