Tent camping near Atlantic City, New Jersey offers access to the distinctive ecosystem of the Pine Barrens, where campers can find shade beneath pitch pines that thrive in the region's acidic soil. Summer temperatures in the area typically range from 75-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide more moderate conditions in the 50-70°F range. The region's sandy soil creates unique camping conditions with minimal surface rocks compared to other East Coast camping destinations.
What to do
Kayak the Wading River: The dark waters of the Wading River offer excellent paddling opportunities for tent campers at Hawkins Bridge — Wharton State Forest. "Did a two day Canoe tour down the wading river and used the outfitter Micks Canoe... Wading river has a nice flow. It's a dark black river from the tannins. Not much fishing, mostly easy with some trick currents for inexperienced paddlers," reports one visitor.
Hike the Batona Trail: The 50+ mile trail system connects multiple campgrounds and offers varying difficulty levels. "The Batona Campground is in the northern area of the Wharton State Forest and is a bit removed from most trails and other campgrounds in the park... the Batona trail runs through the campground," notes a camper at Batona — Wharton State Forest.
Visit historic Batsto Village: Located within Wharton State Forest, this preserved iron-making town from the 1800s sits just a short drive from most campgrounds. "It's also a 5 minute drive from Atsion lake, a great place for kayaking and swimming," mentions a camper at Goshen Pond — Wharton State Forest.
What campers like
Seclusion during weekdays: Tent camping areas typically see fewer visitors mid-week. "During the off season and during the week, it's very peaceful and awesome place to be. During the weekend it's very populated and tends to be pretty noisy," notes a reviewer at Bodine Field — Wharton State Forest.
Sandy terrain for comfortable tent setups: The Pine Barrens feature uniquely soft ground. "Very sandy area," reports one camper, while another adds that sites at Bodine Field are in "a very open basically sandy field with a handful of trees in the middle."
Direct water access: Many sites allow for immediate river access for paddling. At Goshen Pond, "Our site was right next to the Mullica River, and had excellent views if you walked just a couple steps from the tent. We were able to put our kayaks in right next to the site which was very convenient."
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most Pine Barrens campgrounds offer minimal amenities. "Very rustic and secluded, no showers/running water. Outhouses all around the campground," notes a camper about Bodine Field. Another adds: "Potable water is available along with a couple Porta potties. Creek access, if you wanted to go kayaking."
Seasonal variations: The official camping season runs April through October, but spring and fall offer advantages. "This campground was mostly empty while we were there in August. 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 visitor to Goshen Pond.
Insects: Ticks and chiggers are common in warmer months. "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 Mullica River — Wharton State Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Choose drive-in sites for easier access: Families with young children may prefer sites with vehicle access. "We stayed at the Mullica River camp ground it is a hike or boat in only camp ground has a pump to get water and 2 outhouses (hold your breath) start hike kayak trip at 206 hike 6 miles in camp then hike kayak out 5 miles to batsto."
Visit during shoulder seasons: Early spring and fall offer more comfortable temperatures and fewer insects. "We set in for an overnight stay in early April 2022... Once we arrived at the site we quickly realized we were some of the only brave souls that chose to be outdoors in early April," shares a visitor to Hawkins Bridge.
Prepare for minimal bathroom facilities: Most sites feature only basic restrooms. "The composting outhouse toilets are not great," notes one camper at Bodine Field, while another mentions "the water is seasonal" at Batona Campground, suggesting families bring additional water supplies.
Tips from RVers
Access limitations: Many Pine Barrens roads can be challenging for larger vehicles. "The road into the campground is about 1 mile of loose sand. It can be accessed by a standard vehicle. Sites are suitable for tents or small campers. The unpaved road into the site is narrow and tree lined. A larger RV would not fit," notes a visitor to Batona Campground.
RV size restrictions: Most sites accommodate only smaller campers and vans. "The camp road was kinda hard to get around direction wise you couldn't tell what was a road and what was a campsite," reports one Batona Campground visitor, highlighting navigation challenges for RVers.
Consider tent options instead: Given the sandy terrain and narrow access roads, many RVers opt for tent camping instead. "Thankfully no RVs here. Very much enjoyed the stay," notes a tent camper who appreciated the vehicle-free atmosphere at Batona Campground.
