Timber Lake Beach
Medford, New Jersey · on Timber Lake
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Timber Lake Beach
Timber Lake Beach is a private, members-only swimming beach on Timber Lake (also called Lower Birchwood Lake), a dammed lake within the Birchwood Lakes Colony Club, a residential lake community in Medford, NJ established in 1954. For club members it serves as the neighborhood swimming hole and the community's lake to swim in. The lake itself dates to an 1880s dam built to impound cranberry bogs, later rebuilt and repaired after 1930s failures and 2004 storm damage.
Timber Lake sits in the New Jersey Pinelands in Medford Township, Burlington County, as the lower of two lakes (Birchwood Lake above, Timber Lake below, separated by Birchwood Lake Dam) managed by the Birchwood Lakes Colony Club. Water flows from Timber Lake, over Timber Lake Dam, into Oakwood Lake in the neighboring Oakwood Lakes community, then to Haynes Creek.
Swimming at Timber Lake Beach
Swimming takes place at a guarded, handicap-accessible community beach with a dock; the club's own rules warn the water near the dock is shallow (no diving permitted) and note swimming is at the swimmer's own risk despite lifeguard supervision. No detail was found on water clarity, bottom composition, or depth away from the dock.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Timber Lake Beach is a community beach reached directly within the private Birchwood Lakes Colony Club property; no trail or hike is involved in reaching the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Guarded beach staffed by American Red Cross-trained/certified lifeguards; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult; diving off the dock is prohibited because the water there is shallow; swim diapers required for infants. No information found on depth or bottom conditions away from the dock, and the club's own rules note swimming is at the swimmer's own risk despite lifeguard supervision.
On the water
Restrictions: Club beach rules state no boats of any kind are allowed in the designated swimming area, and fishing is prohibited both off the dock and within the swim zone.
Timber Lake is entirely within the private, members-only Birchwood Lakes Colony Club; no information was found describing boating rules for the lake outside the roped swim area, and there is no public boat launch since the lake and shoreline are private.
Backstory
Timber Lake's dam originated in the 1880s to impound cranberry bogs. It failed repeatedly in the 1930s and was rebuilt in 1954-55 (design by B. Harold Wills, construction by Hill Construction Co.). In July 2004, Burlington County storms overtopped and partially breached the dam (though it held structurally, unlike the upstream Birchwood Lake Dam), exposing a sanitary sewer main and gas line; NJDEP required the lake be drawn down until repairs were made. McCormick Taylor Inc. conducted hydrology/hydraulic studies in 2004, and Tri-State Dredging Inc. completed rehabilitation with steel sheeting in April 2007.
Timber Lake Beach: FAQ
Is Timber Lake Beach kid friendly?
Guarded beach staffed by American Red Cross-trained/certified lifeguards; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult; diving off the dock is prohibited because the water there is shallow; swim diapers required for infants. No information found on depth or bottom conditions away from the dock, and the club's own rules note swimming is at the swimmer's own risk despite lifeguard supervision.
Do I need to hike to reach Timber Lake Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
What are the rules at Timber Lake Beach?
Access is restricted to Birchwood Lakes Colony Club members and their accompanied guests (member/guest tags required); no boats allowed in the swim area, no glass containers, no diving off the dock (shallow water), children under 16 must be supervised, swimmers with recent gastrointestinal illness are barred for 7 days, beach closes during electrical storms, and rule violations can result in removal from the beach and common areas.
What water body is Timber Lake Beach on?
Timber Lake Beach is on Timber Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
More swimming holes near Medford
Atsion Recreation Area
Shamong, New Jerseylake
⛺🛶
Bianchini Beach & Park
Browns Mills, New Jerseylake
🛶
★ Top verifiedBlue Hole
Monroe, New Jerseypond
🥾 3 mi hike
The Cove at Lake Lenape
Mays Landing, New Jerseylake
🛶
★ Top verifiedLake Barnegat Beach
Forked River, New Jerseylake
🛶🏄
Maxson Avenue Beach
Point Pleasant, New Jerseyriver