Glamping opportunities near Allenwood, New Jersey offer accommodations within the scenic Pine Barrens region characterized by sandy soil and pine forests. The area experiences mild spring and fall temperatures with warm summers reaching into the 80s and occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Central Jersey glamping sites generally remain open from April through November, with some locations providing year-round options for cabin and yurt rentals.
What to do
Kayaking on peaceful waterways: At Turkey Swamp Park, visitors can enjoy multiple water activities. According to Dan W., "Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from. Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking. The list goes on."
Winter activities: Seasonal recreation continues through colder months. Patrick M. notes: "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels. Ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods."
Historical exploration: Allaire State Park offers significant historic sites beyond camping. According to Beau B., "Working village and antique train are available most of the year. There are also lots of festivals throughout the summer months."
Biking trails: The area provides excellent cycling opportunities with varying difficulty levels. Dan X. shared: "A really nice bike ride to Ocean Grove and other beach towns. There are outlets in the bathroom and someone put a fullass drip coffee machine in one of the sinks."
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Wading Pines Camping Resort offers secluded camping spots. Layne reports, "They have 300 camp sites spaced out nicely. All the hook ups you need. Many activities. Live music in the summer. Very nice wading river next to the camp grounds."
River tubing: Water activities remain a top draw in summer months. "You can tube down the river from one end of camp to the other," adds Layne from Wading Pines.
Uncrowded beaches: Sea Pirate Campground provides access to less crowded shorelines. Stephanie H. shared: "We also went to Long Beach Island and were happy with how clean and quiet the beach was."
Year-round accessibility: Several parks maintain open dates throughout winter. Lisa S. notes about Allaire State Park: "We found this campground one night when we were in NJ. It ended up snowing that night. The bathrooms were clean and warm."
What you should know
Bug preparation: Insect activity varies by location and season. About Turkey Swamp Park, Laura Y. warns: "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2. That was so crazy because we were just sitting by our camper."
Water pressure considerations: Utilities can fluctuate during peak times. A visitor to Brendan Byrne State Forest noted: "Spacious campsite, although the closest water spigot wasn't working. Not a big problem as there are plenty of others."
Noise levels: Some campgrounds experience traffic sounds. Dwight D. observed at Allaire State Park: "Close to the parkway, constant road noise. Okay bathrooms, flush toilets, sinks, showers, electric outlet."
Seasonal variations: Fall visits offer different experiences. Patrick M. shares about Allaire: "This may be my favorite spot. I have stayed in all the spots they offer, yurt, cabin and the pull up sites. It is well maintained with numerous trails to hike."
Tips for camping with families
Halloween events: Fall brings special activities at multiple campgrounds. Jessica D. shares about Timberland Lake Campground: "We LOVE camping here in the fall!! They do their own haunted walk through that is just awesome! Everyone decorates. They have a dj every Saturday!"
Age-appropriate playgrounds: Recreational facilities cater to different age groups. Lee D. notes about Turkey Swamp Park: "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office."
Surprising bug-free zones: Some areas report fewer insect issues than expected. Jaewook P. shared: "We went camping with our 2- and 3-year-old kids. We were worried about bugs, but we didn't even use mosquito repellent and didn't get a single bite!"
Bathroom accessibility: Facilities vary widely between parks. Dan M. reports about Brendan Byrne State Forest: "Lots of potable water hydrants around the campground so not far of a walk to fill any water needs you may have. Showers and bathrooms are ok, kept pretty clean."
Tips from RVers
Site surface considerations: Atsion Family Camp offers varying terrain types. Steve commented: "Size-wise, very spacious and open - which is good in some ways but I had to account for shade as well as a place to rig a ridgeline for my tarp."
Hookup availability: Services differ between campgrounds. Dan W. notes about Turkey Swamp Park: "Campsites are roomy with electric and water hookups. They don't have primitive campsites so your stuck paying the higher rate even though you don't need the hookups."
Water hose requirements: Some sites need specific equipment. Shawn from Turkey Swamp Park advises: "Nice, remote, private. Some sites unlevel. Bring a LONG water hose. Nice lake. Showers and washers and dryers."
Site spacing concerns: Aaron E. reported about Timberland Lake: "Stayed here from June 24th-27th on site 38. It was a really nice size, and the kids could fish right off the dock on the back."
