You’ve probably driven past it on the Garden State Parkway while heading to Cape May or Atlantic City. Most people do. They see the signs for Exit 74 and just keep rolling, thinking it’s just another sleepy patch of trees in Ocean County. But Forked River New Jersey is a weird, beautiful, and occasionally frustrating pocket of the Jersey Shore that defies the "Snooki" stereotypes people love to dump on this state.
It isn't a "resort" town. Not really.
If you're looking for a boardwalk with neon lights and overpriced fried Oreos, you're in the wrong place. Go to Seaside or Point Pleasant for that. Forked River—technically a section of Lacey Township—is where people actually live. It’s defined by the water, the pines, and a giant nuclear cooling tower that looms over the horizon like a silent sentinel.
The Reality of Living in Forked River
People around here don't call it "Fork-ed" River. It’s "Fork'd." Two syllables. If you say it with three, everyone immediately knows you’re from North Jersey or New York.
Geography dictates everything here. You have the Route 9 corridor, which is a gauntlet of traffic lights, strip malls, and some of the best hidden-gem diners in the state. Then you have the waterfront. The town is etched with lagoons. Thousands of them. It seems like every third house has a boat docked in the backyard.
Life revolves around Barnegat Bay.
In the summer, the population doesn't just grow; it breathes differently. The local marinas, like Silver Cloud or South Winds, become the true town centers. It’s a boat culture. If you don't own a boat, you definitely know someone who does, and your weekends are spent anchored at Tices Shoal. Tices is basically a massive floating tailgate party just off Island Beach State Park. It's loud, it's salty, and it is quintessential Lacey Township.
That Giant Tower in the Room
You can't write about Forked River New Jersey without talking about Oyster Creek.
For decades, the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station was the heartbeat of the local economy. It was the oldest operating nuclear power plant in the United States until it was decommissioned in 2018. Even though it’s no longer splitting atoms, the massive cooling tower remains the most recognizable landmark for miles.
It’s a polarizing piece of history.
Some locals see it as a symbol of good-paying jobs and low property taxes that are now a thing of the past. Others are just glad the environmental risk has been throttled down. Holtec International is currently handling the decommissioning process, which is a slow, decades-long affair. It's a strange vibe, honestly. You'll be eating a pork roll sandwich at a local deli while looking at a decommissioned nuclear site. It’s very New Jersey.
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Where to Actually Eat (Beyond the Chains)
If you stick to the chain restaurants on Route 9, you’re failing.
Lacey Diner is a local institution. It’s small, cramped, and the service is exactly as blunt as you’d expect from an Ocean County diner, but the breakfast is legendary. Then there’s the Captain’s Inn. It’s been around since the late 1940s. It has that old-school maritime feel with dark wood and a massive outdoor "Tiki Bar" that gets absolutely packed when the sun stays out past 7:00 PM.
For something a bit more modern, Backward Flag Brewing Co. is a must-visit. It’s veteran-owned and tucked away in an industrial park—the classic "if you know, you know" spot. Their beers aren't just good; they have a mission. They don't do the flashy, over-the-top marketing you see in Philly or Brooklyn. It’s just solid beer for people who work for a living.
The Pine Barrens Connection
While everyone focuses on the bay, the "other" side of Forked River is the Pine Barrens.
Lacey Township stretches deep into the woods. If you head west on Lacey Road, the salt air disappears and the smell of pine needles takes over. This is the edge of the Jersey Devil territory. Popcorn Park Animal Refuge is located right here, and it’s one of the most unique spots in the state. It’s a sanctuary for abandoned, injured, or elderly wildlife and exotic animals.
You’ll see tigers, bears, and monkeys that were rescued from horrific situations. It isn't a zoo. It’s a halfway house for animals that have nowhere else to go. Walking through Popcorn Park is a humbling experience that reminds you that this part of the state isn't just suburban sprawl; it’s a gateway to the wilderness.
The Housing Market and the "New" Forked River
Over the last few years, things have changed.
Forked River used to be the affordable alternative to the beach towns. But the secret is out. Remote work allowed people from North Jersey to realize they could live by the bay for two-thirds the price of a house in Bergen County. Prices have spiked. The modest ranch houses are being renovated, and the lagoon-front properties are fetching numbers that would have seemed insane in 2015.
There is a tension here.
Long-time residents—the ones whose families have been here for generations—worry about the "Benny" influence. For the uninitiated, a "Benny" is a tourist from North Jersey or New York (Bayonne, Elizabeth, Newark, New York). In Forked River, the line between "local" and "transplant" is thinning, but the blue-collar, salt-of-the-earth identity is still fighting to stay relevant.
Why the Water Matters
The Forked River itself is a literal fork in the waterway. There’s the North Branch, Middle Branch, and South Branch.
If you’re a fisherman, this is your Mecca. The crabbing in the late summer is incredible. You see kids with chicken necks tied to strings on every public dock. It’s a cheap, timeless way to spend an afternoon. The bay provides fluke, striped bass, and blues.
However, the environment is fragile.
The Barnegat Bay has struggled with nitrogen runoff for years. Organizations like Save Barnegat Bay are constantly fighting to educate people about fertilizer use. Because if the bay dies, the soul of Forked River New Jersey goes with it. The water isn't just scenery here; it’s the economy, the recreation, and the reason people put up with the Parkway traffic.
Navigating the Seasons
Winter in Forked River is quiet. Ghost-town quiet.
Many of the waterfront homes are secondary residences, so the "dark window" syndrome hits hard in January. The wind off the bay is brutal. It’s a damp, bone-chilling cold that cuts through the heaviest Carhartt jacket. But there’s a peace to it. You get the marshes to yourself. You can walk the trails at Double Trouble State Park (just a short drive away) and not see another soul.
Spring is the awakening.
That’s when the shrink-wrap comes off the boats. The sound of power sanders and the smell of bottom paint fill the air. If you want to understand the rhythm of this town, visit a marina in April. It’s a frenetic, hopeful energy.
Practical Advice for Visiting
Don't just stay on Route 9.
Turn toward the water. Drive down to the end of Beach Boulevard. Look at the way the houses are built—stilted and resilient. If you’re coming to visit, check out Hebrew Park or Gille Park for the kids. Gille is massive and serves as the hub for local sports.
- Traffic is real. Friday afternoons in the summer are a nightmare on Lacey Road. Plan accordingly.
- Support local. The small tackle shops and bait stands are the backbone of the community.
- Respect the Pine Barrens. If you go hiking, wear tick protection. The ticks in Ocean County don't play around.
- Learn the history. Stop by the Old Schoolhouse Museum on Route 9. It’s run by the Lacey Historical Society and gives you a glimpse of what this place was before the nuclear plant and the Parkway changed everything.
Forked River isn't trying to be fancy. It’s a place where you can still find a decent hoagie, a quiet spot to fish, and a neighbor who will help you fix your trailer without asking for anything in return. It’s rugged, it’s watery, and it’s stubbornly Jersey.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
If you’re planning a trip to Forked River, start by checking the tides if you plan to be near the water. Head over to the Lacey Township municipal website to see if there are any seasonal events at Gille Park. Finally, make a reservation at one of the waterfront spots like the Captain's Inn or The Waterfront at Forked River well in advance during the summer months, as they fill up with boaters faster than you'd think.