Costs, Parking & Accommodations...

Pre-registration-admission for the South Jersey Star Party is $20 per person, with youngsters 16 and under admitted for free. This fee includes all camping privileges Friday and Saturday night on the observing field. Registration at the door will be $35 per person, with a Saturday night-only option of $25 at the door. That cost also includes your camping fee.

   All registration fees cover your camping stay on the field. Vehicles are permitted, and include cars, small trailers, pop-ups and vans. Large "Class A" motorhomes are restricted to the campgrounds and/or parking lot nearby. Open fires are prohibited on the observing field, although you may use grills or stoves for cooking. You may also take advantage of the campgrounds at Belleplain State Forest; any fees are in addition to your pre-registration fee of $20 per person, or the "at the door" cost of $35 per person. These sites have parking, a picnic table and fire rings, but no utility hookups. Restroom and shower facilities are nearby. The cost would be approximately $15 per night (maximum of six persons), payable upon check-in at the Ranger Station. Check with Belleplain State Forest for details. Please note that this cost would be separate from your registration-admission fee to the Star Party. The north shore campground is about 1/4 mile from the entrance to the Star Party observing field. You should contact Belleplain State Forest Ranger Station at (609)-861-2404 for more details and reservations if you are planning to stay in the campground. Belleplain also has a limited number of "lean-to" cabins available, but you should reserve these as soon as possible.

   All Star Party attendees are requested to read and follow the "Rules of the Road" for the event.    There is plenty of parking adjacent to the observing/camping field, and you can drive on to the field to unload your camping and observing gear, then park your vehicle in the nearby lot, provided that you do so prior to nightfall. Use of these lots is encouraged to minimize the number of vehicles on the field. No driving is permitted on the observing field after dark.

   Another option is to stay in a motel or Bed & Breakfast in the area. If you do plan on staying at a motel or B&B, we encourage you to make your reservations in advance. The September 26-28 weekend is near the peak of the fall shorebird migration, and Cape May County is filled with nature enthusiasts (consider a visit to the Cape May Bird Observatory!) Or, if you live nearby, you may want to stay at home and commute to the Star Party.

   About an 8-10 minute drive from Belleplain State Forest is the historic Henry Ludlam Inn, a fashionable bed& breakfast located at 1336 Route 47, Dennisville (609-861-5847). Expect to pay approximately $120/night. Further down the cape is the Whispering Woods Motel, 535 Route 47 in Green Creek. This venue is situated on over 4 acres of beautful woodland surroundings and includes a nature walk; prices start at about $45 per night, though it is about a 20-minute drive from Belleplain State Forest. You can contact the Whispering Woods Motel at 609-886-5301.