Camping sites near Elmer, New Jersey feature predominantly sandy soil with flat terrain typical of southern New Jersey's Pine Barrens region. Most campgrounds operate between April and October, with Lums Pond State Park in nearby Delaware offering year-round access. Water is a central feature at many campgrounds, with several offering lake access or constructed water attractions for recreation during humid summer months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Hospitality Creek Campground, waterfront sites provide direct lake access. "Staff was great. Plenty of things to do for the kids. We love the lake side campsites," notes one camper. The campground features Cranes Lake where guests can fish from shore or rent paddleboats.
Hiking trails: Lums Pond State Park Campground offers a 7-mile hiking trail and 8-mile multi-purpose trail around the pond. A visitor mentions, "We took a hike, we ended up on the equestrian trail that runs all the way around the pond. It was a long, but easy hike." The flat terrain makes these trails accessible for most skill levels.
Mini-golf and activities: Several campgrounds offer structured activities beyond swimming. At Old Cedar Campground, "Mini golf was fun for all. There was also activities for the younger kids - making slime," reports one guest. Weekly organized activities often run throughout summer months, particularly on weekends.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness varies significantly between campgrounds. At Parvin State Park Campground, recent updates have improved conditions. "Bathrooms were clean but most of the faucets on the sinks were broken. The water has a very high iron content. I couldn't even use it for tooth brushing," notes one camper from late 2024, highlighting the orange staining from high iron content in water.
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the room to spread out. "This campground was so well maintained. There was so much to do there a pool, lake, horseshoes, cornhole, playground, big pillow and even more," reports a visitor to Hospitality Creek Campground. Site sizes vary considerably between campgrounds, with some offering large wooded sites and others more open layouts.
Nature experiences: At Wharton State Forest Atsion Recreation Area, campers can experience more natural settings. "Our site was right on Wading River and we launched our kayaks right at the site! Our tent has a full view of the sky and at night it was like a planetarium as we admired the sky from our cots," writes one visitor to the Bodine campground area, highlighting the stargazing opportunities in this less developed setting.
What you should know
Water quality issues: Several campgrounds in the region have water with high mineral content. At Parvin State Park, one camper noted, "The water has a very high iron content. I couldn't even use it for tooth brushing." Consider bringing drinking water for consumption and cooking.
Seasonal population: Most campgrounds feature a mix of transient and seasonal campers. At Adventure Bound Campground (formerly Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park), a visitor observed, "The campground has def changed in the last 10 yrs. Cabin rentals are everywhere and have replaced a lot of transient camper sites and it seems like many more seasonals than before."
Sandy soil challenges: The region's sandy soil affects campsite conditions. "The entire campground is sand and gets very dusty and messy. This was the dirtiest campground we've stayed at, meaning the trailer and truck needed a full bath once we got home," reports a camper at Adventure Bound, highlighting how the sandy conditions can track into tents, vehicles and RVs.
Tips for camping with families
Water attractions: Most family-oriented campgrounds feature water attractions beyond natural lakes. At Adventure Bound Campground, "Water area is great, splash pad is very fun so is the large blow up slide and pool area," notes a visitor, making it suitable for families with children of various ages.
Halloween events: For fall camping, several campgrounds host special Halloween activities. A camper at Adventure Bound mentioned, "I booked another trip for Halloween," highlighting the popularity of themed weekends that typically run from late September through October with decorating contests and trick-or-treating.
Activities scheduling: Family campgrounds often run structured activities, particularly on weekends. At Hospitality Creek, a visitor appreciated how "They offer so many activities during the day and text you so you don't forget." Activity schedules are typically available at check-in or through campground apps during peak season.
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: At some campgrounds, utility hookups may require creative parking. A visitor to Old Cedar Campground noted, "The water hookups are shared every other site (at least in the Fence Loop). I was lucky my 75' hose barely reached the distance needed. Be sure to bring extra hoses."
Site selection: Many RV campers recommend requesting specific sites based on rig size and shade preferences. At Lums Pond State Park, a visitor observed, "Very few trees, not much shade at all! The site offered electric and water but they were on 2 different sides. This made it difficult to set up. Had to park the camper crooked to use both."
Winter options: Most campgrounds in the immediate Elmer area close for winter, but Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA remains open year-round, providing an option for cold-weather camping. "It was cold so we asked to be put close to bathrooms so we could leave camper winterized. They accommodated us nicely," reports a winter camper.
