Camping near Manahawkin, New Jersey offers diverse options from primitive forest campsites to full-service RV resorts within the sandy Pine Barrens ecosystem. The region receives approximately 46 inches of rainfall annually, creating a unique coastal-woodland environment that can become sandy and muddy during wet periods. Elevations remain relatively flat throughout the area, making navigation easier for novice hikers but requiring attention to drainage during rainy seasons.
What to do
River adventures: kayaking and tubing along the Wading River provides a refreshing summer activity near several campgrounds. At Wading Pines Camping Resort, campers appreciate the river access: "You can tube down the river from one end of camp to the other," notes Layne, while another camper recommends "Have someone drop you off at Hawkins Bridge and float down to the campground. A little over 2 hour ride."
Wildlife watching in the pinelands: The Pine Barrens ecosystem supports unique wildlife viewing opportunities. Bass River State Forest offers sightings during trail walks. "We walked and explored, kayaked, and sang by the fire," shares Matthew H., while another visitor mentioned, "We saw deer every time we walked on it" when describing the nature trails at Baker's Acres.
Lake activities and fishing: Multiple campgrounds feature lake access with fishing opportunities. At Chestnut Lake, visitors report "good fishing" and "beautiful pool" amenities. Jeff J. describes Bass River State Forest as having "bathrooms and showers 24/7. The camp ground area is very large and signed extremely well making finding your campsite easy."
What campers like
Large, private campsites: Many campgrounds in the Wharton and Bass River areas provide spacious camping areas. Brendan Byrne State Forest receives praise for site size: "The sites are a great size and many are set back enough that you have privacy," reports Maggie H. Another camper describes it as having "sites are large and well laid out. Bathhouse / showers were okay, but clean and in good repair."
Sandy terrain benefits: The region's sandy soil creates comfortable tent camping surfaces. A Bass River visitor noted, "The ground is always very soft and sandy, which makes for comfortable sleeping. It's noticeably NOT rocky. It also means that there's always plenty of kindling available for collecting."
Clean facilities: Sea Pirate Campground maintains well-kept amenities according to reviews: "Bathrooms were very clean and well maintained. They had several activities and sent text reminders of what was going on," writes Gennifer K. Another visitor adds, "The heated swimming pool was large and the water crystal clear."
What you should know
Insect preparedness essential: Ticks and mosquitoes can be problematic, especially at certain campgrounds. At Godfrey Bridge, a camper warned, "We were getting these ticks just setting up and sitting at the campsites," while another stated "Beautiful campground but unfortunately it is unusable due to tick infestation." Multiple reviewers mention bringing repellent.
Water pressure fluctuations: Several campgrounds experience variable water pressure. At Sea Pirate Campground, one camper reported, "extremely low water pressure, often below 20 PSI. It was so low at times, that we couldn't take showers or flush the toilet."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate April through October, with varying seasonal challenges. A camper at Bass River noted, "There were a lot of ticks when we stayed in May so keep that in mind." Atlantic Shore Pines Campground reviews indicate October camping can be quieter: "Came the weekend before the real Halloween, and the grounds were pretty deserted."
Tips for camping with families
Activity-centered campground selection: Families appreciate campgrounds with structured programs. Baker's Acres Campground offers regular activities: "We enjoyed the scavenger hunt and Saturday night entertainment. There were very few golf carts and all the cars drove cautiously. We felt our daughter was safe to ride her bike," reports Becca U.
Proximity to attractions: Consider drive times to beaches and local attractions. One visitor mentioned, "We borrowed beach tags from the camp store for a fee and headed to the Brant Beach section of LBI," while another noted Baker's Acres is "Close to LBI and a short drive to Smithville, I highly recommend!"
Bathhouse locations: When camping with children, check bathroom proximity. A Baker's Acres camper mentioned, "Our campsite was a good 7 minute walk from the nearest bathroom which was a bit far so a small bathhouse near the nature trail would have been appreciated." Many state forest campgrounds have more limited facilities.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness and access: Several campgrounds have challenging site access for larger rigs. At Baker's Acres, one RVer noted, "Backing my rig into the site, and exiting, was a bit challenging due to the angle and size of the service road but we managed well enough." Atlantic Shore Pines Campground received praise: "The site we had was a level pull-thru with 50-amp electric, water, sewer, and cable. It was easy to pull in and can accommodate larger rigs."
Surface considerations: The sandy terrain affects RV setup and cleanliness. "Sites are level and somewhat sandy (You're in the Pine Barrens, it should be expected)," explains one Baker's Acres reviewer, while another at Atlantic Shore notes, "Sites are packed sand so be prepared with a good broom because it tracks everywhere."
Hookup quality verification: Check specific sites for reliable utilities. "The hook-ups were all well-maintained and worked fine," reports one Sea Pirate camper, while another mentions issues: "My site was not very level and took a few tries to get levelled, but everything else made up for it."
