Belleplain State Forest

This place is loaded with ticks and has a massive roach infestation. Especially campsites around the 130’s and the bathrooms near there. I knocked 4 two inch monster roaches off my tent and 2 of the same off of my car in one night after returning from visiting friends in the neighboring site. If there were 5, there’s a nest nearby. It was bugs/​spiders galore as well (which is tolerable… Roaches however are not) Every time I went in the bathroom there were 7 – 10 of a different variety than what we ran into at night at our site. They were out day and night and didn’t seem to be as big. Also a different color… One was hangin out in the toilet paper.
I pulled 5 ticks off of me the first night and 3 more off of my tent the next day. I also found 2 on my sleeping bag, just waiting for me to return.
I read a review on trip adviser that other people found bedbugs in the yurts. I wouldn’t doubt it and I have funny looking three in a row bite marks that are a tell tale sign of a bed bug and not mosquitoes. Haven’t seen any bed bugs and hope like hell I didn’t run into them too. So far, luckily, I haven’t found any stow aways. Still looking and roaches better not have taken over my car.
We had a small amount of rain at night. When I went to lift my ground cover there were 20 – 30 brown beetles I couldn’t make out that went scurrying. No biggie in itself, but I lost my mind after my experience and I almost just left all my gear there it was so bad. I didn’t spend the time to look closely. I just wanted to get out of there.
I am traumatized from this whole overall experience.
Do yourself a big favor and stay as far away from Belleplain State park as possible.

Best kept secret, almost hate to write a review. the place was almost empty. We stayed in a yurt and that made ‘camping” alot easier and more comfortable than being in a tent.
Walking trails and a lake top the experience!

If you are coming here strictly as a pet friendly park then this is the place to be. If you don’t want to be around a lot of dogs, I wouldn’t recommend coming. Coming here was a nice way to spend the day just relaxing. There is a lot of space and various trails to get away from the crowd and feel secluded. The beach is tiny so don’t come thinking you will see anything special. I stumbled upon this place after learning there are so few pet friendly parks in the area to enjoy on a sunny day.

I’ve been here twice over the last few years now. I’ve been very satisfied both times. If you want to go «camping» without really camping this place is great place where you can kick back and enjoy the outdoors. This park is a fantastic place to relax, especially in the summer time. Young children will especially enjoy the park since there are multiple playgrounds, swimming areas, trails, and canoe and biking areas. Perfect for under 12.
First, the cost. Its so affordable!!! $ 25/​car for a campsite. The campsite comes with a picnic table and a firepit.
Second, the park doesn’t draw a huge crowd… which means nice and quiet.
Third, running water, toilets, and hot showers.
Fourth, if you don’t want to chop firewood, you can buy some from the ranger station. This year it was $ 7/​bag. A bag is good enough for cooking 2 – 3 meals depending on how you burn it.
The terrain is mostly flat. Campsites are perfectly sleepable without tents. They have water spigots close by to every campsite. Toilets are only a little farther away.
If you RSVP, you can get a lakeside campsite. We got a campsite on the other side which turned out to be really nice and secluded.
They have canoe rentals, and a concession stand near the swimming area.
Lots of fallen wood to chop up if you like campfires.
If you need to buy something, civilization is about 30 minutes away.