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Wharton State Forest dominates the camping landscape around Atco, New Jersey, with multiple campgrounds including Atsion Family Camp and Goshen Pond offering diverse accommodations. The Pine Barrens region provides a mix of established campgrounds and more primitive sites within a short drive of Philadelphia and Atlantic City. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate tent camping, while several like Atsion Family Camp and Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA also offer RV sites, cabins, and even glamping options. Brendan Byrne State Forest, located about 20 miles northeast of Atco, provides additional camping opportunities with both tent and RV sites.
Camping in the Atco area follows seasonal patterns, with many campgrounds operating from April through October, though some like Atsion Family Camp remain open year-round. "Atsion Family Campground offers spacious sites with a pic-nick table and fire ring grill. Some sites have lake-side water access, so bring your canoes and kayaks and reserve these sites early as they are popular," noted one visitor. The sandy terrain throughout the Pine Barrens creates level camping conditions but can become messy after rain. Cell service varies across the region, with most campgrounds reporting limited but manageable coverage. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend stays during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds require pet registration, and some like Mullica River in Wharton State Forest prohibit pets entirely.
The Pine Barrens camping experience combines forest immersion with water recreation opportunities. Campers consistently praise the lakeside sites at Atsion, where swimming and paddling access enhance the experience. A visitor described Wharton State Forest as "a great getaway from the everyday rat race" and "one of the few places in New Jersey you have to backpack into." The region's extensive trail system, including the Batona Trail, provides hiking and biking opportunities directly from many campgrounds. While some sites offer privacy with trees and vegetation creating natural barriers, others are more open and communal. Proximity to historic sites like Batsto Village adds cultural interest to camping trips, with the preserved iron and glass community from the 1700s-1900s located just 15 minutes from some campgrounds. Most campgrounds provide basic amenities including drinking water and toilets, though hookups and shower facilities vary significantly.
"Atsion Family Campground Off US 206 and about 1/2 a mile up Atsion Road in New Jersey’s Wharton State Forest, you’ll find the Atsion Family Campground."
"It was a great location, closest site to the water with beautiful views. Super convenient if you're a Kayaker, you can launch right off that spot. Its a huge site, away from other sites."
"The park was easy to find and located a short distance from the highway. We were met at the entry gate with a personalized folder containing lots of helpful information for our stay."
"We love the lake side campsites."
"It's only a one minute walk from the parking area to the site. Our site was right next to the Mullica River, and had excellent views if you walked just a couple steps from the tent."
"Great sites, great trails, lots of hiking and off road trails for dirt bike/atv/ trucks. Pretty good boating/ fishing. Just gotta check often for chiggers and ticks."
"I grew up near the pine barrens and would camp here many times with friends. If you want off the beaten path and not close to anyone... this is IT! You might even see the Jersey Devil :)"
"Best part about the campground is that it's right on the 50 mile Batona Trail so it's a great stop-over assuming you've made reservations. No first-come first-serve."
"We did Chinatown and walked part of the Schuylkill River trail which we accessed by parking near Fairmount Park."
"In addition to the peaceful vibe, the people are friendly, the little office store has everything you forgot to pack, and if you look around the campground edges or follow the walking trail into the woods"
"Campsite decent size, but some don't have clear boundaries to neighbors, and sometimes not optimally configured (e.g., the site next door's fire pit was placed on the edge of its site/right next to my"
"First off, I will start by saying you have to drive a good amount of distance to get into the campground and that is something I really enjoyed!"
from $3 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Enjoyed a site away from the crowds. Quiet. Peaceful. Place is huge with many campsites to choose from. Checking in is slow so come early."
"Walked from Batson to atsion 10 mile hike, campground was 5 miles in. The campground is open, it was closed because of covid in 2020"
"Quiet Getaway Weekend
We went to Old Cedar Campground in Monroeville, New Jersey, for a quiet getaway weekend. This is a small and basic campground, not a resort. No fancy amenities."
"Not close off the highway, but wooden sites. Seems as though people spend their summers there. Pool was beautiful and looked new. Mini golf was decrepit and looked abandoned. Store was nice."
from $31 - $50 / night
Check Availability"The campground is very close to home, and a lot of people around our area (central jersey) go there yearly or have seasonal sites there, but for us, it was our first time at the campground."
"Very nice wading river next to the camp grounds. You can tube down the river from one end of camp to the other."
"The pool and surrounding amenities are nice and clean including lake, snack bar, and ice cream
WOULD WE COME BACK?Absolutely, this is a nice place for a few days of downtime."
ScoutWe needed a pit stop….as a pit stop it serves its purpose…..would not stay here more than a night. Lots of seasonal run down campers. Tarps over campers. Bathrooms are neglected. Agree with previous reviewer that they have given into the seasonal camper.
LegendWe spent a weekend at Avalon Campground to tour the trailers at the Vintage Trailer Rally. We toured about 15 RVs which was a lot of fun. The owners all took time to share details about their renovations and how they use the trailer.
For me, this is a 4-star campground because of lack of wifi and cable tv. We normally bring our own wifi, but are waiting on a replacement unit to arrive this week. That’s why I was hoping they’d have wifi, or at least cable tv as a backup.
THINGS I LIKED:
— Nice campground— nothing fancy, but everything worked and it was pretty clean and well-maintained
— Friendly staff including an escort to the site(which was a good size with working utilities)
— Lots of nearby beach towns
— Easy access from Exit 17 off Garden State Parkway
— They have a concrete pickleball court which we enjoyed
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
— WiFi cost extra fee and didn’t work well at all
— Cable TV reception wasn’t good
WOULD WE COME BACK?
Absolutely, this is a great spot! They’re adding a swimming pool which is under construction now, so that should be a good addition
LegendOverall, this is a nice, small (about 65 sites) state park with plenty of recreational opportunities inside the park. There is nice separation between sites so you don’t feel like you are on top of your neighbor. Tall trees are scattered about which provide shade at some sites but overall, the park is pretty open. Roads getting to the park are easy to navigate with any size RV. Within the park, roads are paved and free of potholes and there are no low hanging branches. Since the roads are one-way they are not very wide so backing in big-rigs can be a little tight and you might have to run over the grass.
All RV sites are full hook-up and there is a separate area for tents and there is one canvas yurt for rent. The tent sites are nice in that they are tucked along the wood line slightly away from RVs with more privacy and shade. The only downside is that they are pretty far away from the centrally located bathroom and showers. The bathroom has separate rooms for showers which is nice and private. They were tended to daily and very clean. Also, located in the center of the campground is a playground, camp store and laundry. The dumpsters and recycle bins are located in a separate area on the way out of the campground and were frequently full and overflowing. Campsites are paved and some have wide enough that the patio is paved but others have a narrow pad for the RV and gravel patio. We discovered that most sites are level but a few are not (like 22 and 24). The campground is very clean and camp hosts were diligent about picking up trash and cleaning out fire pits every day.
Across the pond (north of the campground) is where most of the amenities are located such as concessions, ball fields, horseshoe pits, disk golf, and more. For those wanting to fish there is a pier in the campground and a self-serve vending machine with bait in it. There are additional fishing piers located in other parts of the park and there are boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards for rent. We stopped in at the Nature Center but it was a bust– just a few taxidermy specimens and not much information. One of the most popular areas of the park is Go Ape which is a ropes/zip line course through the canopy (which does require admission fee). There are nice trails that leave right from the campground– some 17 miles in all. There is a boat launch about a quarter mile from the campground entrance which is suitable for trailerable boats and paddle craft but there are no docks so you can’t leave your boat tied up there. There is an off-leash dog area but it is located far from the campground so it’s best to drive.
ScoutBathrooms are clean and staff is nice
ScoutNice site. Neighbor not to close. Bring extra water hose. The connection is not very close.
GuideThis campground has everything. Conveniently located, short drive to Dover, Wilmington, Annapolis and Baltimore. The sites were very large and spacious. Sites can accommodate any type of trailer or vehicle. Plenty of site hookups, areas for tents. There is a camp store, several washer and dryers. The best private, individual shower booths and even a pond to go fishing in.
ScoutThe area was well maintained, lots for the kids to do, and everyone that worked there was so nice. Close to beaches and food. We’ll be back!
TravelerThis is the most quietest campground. Perfect when you need to go somewhere to think. The people here are very nice. The wildlife is amazing
ScoutOkay so I haven't actually been here yet I am looking for somewhere to put my rv long term. I guess I was just wondering why the other person made this place sound so horrible. Is it because of the people who can only afford to survive long term at this campsite or was this another time that stigma took over instead of knowledge or is the place a real dangerous dump. I guess I need to check this place out for myself.
Campers visiting Atco, New Jersey find themselves in the heart of New Jersey's Pine Barrens, characterized by sandy soil, dense pine forests, and tannic-stained waterways. The area's generally flat terrain makes for accessible camping, though the sandy composition can create challenges after rainfall. Most established campgrounds operate from April through October, with limited winter camping options in the region's variable climate that ranges from hot, humid summers to mild winters.
Trail exploration: The Batona Trail runs directly through several campgrounds and offers miles of hiking through distinctive Pine Barrens ecosystem. At Batona — Wharton State Forest, "trailheads begin directly from campsites. Trails vary in length but all are flat and easily accessible," notes a visitor.
Water activities: The region's numerous lakes and rivers provide excellent paddling opportunities. At Hospitality Creek Campground, waterfront sites accommodate personal watercraft. "It was a lot of fun watching the cows eating and interacting. I intentionally reserved the site we had to be close," mentions a camper who enjoyed the unique setting by the water.
Historical exploration: Several campgrounds provide convenient access to preserved colonial-era sites. "Down at the Atsion office a mile away they can sell you firewood as well. Picalilli Inn isn't far, they have great wings. Batsto is a 15 minute drive," explains a camper describing local attractions near campsites in Wharton State Forest.
Fishing: Multiple ponds and lakes throughout the region offer fishing opportunities for various species. At Old Cedar Campground, visitors mention the fishing is "great" and children "caught bass" in the on-site fishing areas.
Privacy levels: Many campsites near Atco provide well-spaced accommodations. At Brendan Byrne State Forest, "Nice and quiet, sites are spaced out enough to offer privacy. Good trees for hammocking! Plenty of room for a few tents at each site," explains one reviewer.
Water access: Direct access to lakes and rivers ranks high among camper preferences. "We stayed at Atsion in 2015: had flush toilets and was close to the checkin station/store as well as the beach on the lake. Some sites were right on the water and the sites were very big," shares a visitor who enjoyed waterside camping at Wharton State Forest.
Natural setting: The distinctive Pine Barrens ecosystem creates a unique backdrop for camping experiences. "I like campgrounds which have you park off and walk in to your site. There is more foot traffic, but you don't hear as many cars coming and going and driving past your site all the time. Sites are nicely in the trees," describes a visitor to Goshen Pond — Wharton State Forest.
Distance from urban areas: Many campers appreciate feeling removed from civilization. "It's far away from traffic noise. You can't hear any cars or any other noise from civilization at all. It's at least 10 miles away from anything more than a single house in the woods. 5 miles away from the main road," notes a camper at Brendan Byrne State Forest.
Bugs and ticks: Multiple campgrounds report significant tick and insect issues. "Great sites, great trails, lots of hiking and off road trails for dirt bike/atv/trucks. Pretty good boating/fishing. Just gotta check often for chiggers and ticks," warns a camper at Goshen Pond Campground.
Limited services: Many primitive sites require preparation for minimal amenities. "Vault toilets, but has potable water available and you're right off the water," describes one camper at Goshen Pond, while another mentions at Mullica River — Wharton State Forest that there are "2 outhouses (hold your breath)."
Sandy roads: The region's terrain creates distinctive driving conditions. "The road into the campground is about 1 mile of loose sand. It can be accessed by a standard vehicle," notes a camper at Batona Campground.
Variable site sizes: Campsite dimensions differ widely even within the same campground. "Our site was very quiet, but a lot of the sites are close together without any barriers, so if the campground got crowded it wouldn't be very private," reports a Goshen Pond visitor.
Recreation facilities: Family-friendly campgrounds often feature dedicated play areas and organized activities. At Old Cedar Campground, "My grandchildren loved visiting us, pool was clean - they had a few items that they could borrow - fishing was great - playground was adequate. Mini golf was fun for all. There was also activities for the younger kids - making slime."
Weekend planning: Family-oriented sites tend to fill quickly during peak times. "In season tons of hourly activities for the kids. 1 thing i dont like is the excessively high prices. i think all sites should be for 2 adults and 2-3 kids. this Campground you must pay for even having one kid," mentions a visitor to Hospitality Creek Campground.
Swimming options: Lake swimming provides relief during summer months. "The pools are nice and have on-duty lifeguards all day. We rode our bikes around, enjoyed time on the lake in a rented paddleboat," explains a visitor describing family activities at Hospitality Creek.
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local fauna. "The most unique aspect we found was the cow pasture. It was a lot of fun watching the cows eating and interacting," shares a camper who stayed at Old Cedar Campground.
Site accessibility: Navigating to campsites requires advance planning. At Jellystone Park South Jersey, a visitor notes their site "included a nice concrete pad big enough to park our 45' motorhome+ toad" and was "roomy with plenty of mature shade trees."
Water connections: RVers should prepare for variable hookup configurations. "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," warns a visitor to Old Cedar Campground.
Wi-Fi reliability: Internet access varies greatly between campgrounds. One camper at Hospitality Creek reports, "The days of campgrounds not having to provide decent wifi are over (in my opinion). Lots of communications from the new owners of this campground describe the upgrades being planned."
Reservation requirements: Most full-service RV sites require advance booking. "This was part two of our shakedown cruise for our new RV. We stayed just for one night, but wish we could have stayed longer. We were met at the entry gate with a personalized folder containing lots of helpful information for our stay," shares an RVer who stayed at Hospitality Creek.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Atco, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Atco, NJ is Atsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest with a 4.3-star rating from 24 reviews.
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