Camping near Beach Haven, New Jersey offers sandy sites characteristic of the Pine Barrens alongside access to coastal attractions. Campsites typically open from April through October, with Bass River State Forest providing year-round options. The region features a mix of established campgrounds within 20-40 minutes of Long Beach Island, balancing wooded settings with proximity to shore activities.
What to do
Tubing on the Wading River: At Wading Pines Camping Resort, visitors can float from one end of camp to the other. "You can tube down the river from one end of camp to the other," notes one camper, while another recommends, "Have someone drop you off at Hawkins Bridge and float down to the campground. A little over 2 hour ride."
Fishing in freshwater settings: Bass River State Forest offers multiple fishing opportunities in its lake. A longtime visitor mentions, "Great area for tent camping. We walked and explored, kayaked, and sang by the fire." Another notes, "We have been camping at Bass River since I was a baby... Many great memories of canoeing and fishing on the lake."
Hiking wooded trails: Explore the Pine Barrens ecosystem through multiple trail systems. At Bodine Field Campground, you're positioned near several hiking paths. "Right next to the wading river/creek with that amazing cedar water. As well as a quick drive Harrisville Pond which mine as well be a lake. Good fishing for pickerel as well as a decent trail that goes around the entire pond," shares one visitor.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural setting and separation between sites. At Baker's Acres Campground, a camper described it as "Quaint and rustic, heavily wooded. Makes you feel like your camping, not just lined up next to a bunch of campers." Another noted, "Our site was decently sized, level, and nicely bordered with trees that gives you a sense of privacy."
Clean facilities: Consistently maintained bathhouses and common areas receive positive mentions. "Clean, private wooded sites. Clean bathhouse, friendly staff. The pool was clean," mentions one Baker's Acres visitor. Another camper at Atlantic Shore Pines Campground stated, "The site we had was a pull through and very spacious. The whole place was quiet and clean."
Seasonal activities: Campgrounds organize special events throughout the camping season. A Baker's Acres camper shared, "We enjoyed the scavenger hunt and Saturday night entertainment," while another mentioned, "Check the activities schedule, there is always something fun to do!"
What you should know
Sandy terrain affects site conditions: The Pine Barrens soil creates unique camping conditions. "Sites are level and somewhat sandy (You're in the Pine Barrens, it should be expected)," notes a Baker's Acres camper. Another visitor to Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake advised, "Stay away from the front middle spots, they flood when it rains."
Insect preparation essential: The region's waterways contribute to significant insect activity. "The bugs were just unbearable day & night. You couldn't even sit outside by the fire. Even walking the dog was a challenge," reported one Sea Pirate Campground visitor. At Bass River, a camper warned, "There were a lot of ticks when we stayed in May so keep that in mind."
Water issues: Some campgrounds experience variable water quality or pressure. A visitor to Sea Pirate Campground noted, "Extremely low water pressure, often below 20 PSI. It was so low at times, that we couldn't take showers or flush the toilet."
Tips for camping with families
Scheduled activities: Sea Pirate Campground offers programming specifically for children. "We rented a golf cart and did some of the activities like painting and playing bingo," shares one visitor. Another mentioned, "Halloween fun was really good. Many kids grade school and elementary level enjoyed the dance."
Swimming options: Pools provide family-friendly alternatives to ocean swimming. "The heated swimming pool was large and the water crystal clear," notes a Sea Pirate visitor. At Wading Pines, a camper shared, "My two teen kids loved the pool and the basketball court."
Wildlife viewing: Bass River State Forest offers nature observation opportunities. "We saw deer every time we walked on it," mentioned one camper about the nature trail. Another noted, "The camp sites have plenty of room for the kids to run around and set up there own areas."
Tips from RVers
Site navigation: Some campgrounds present challenges 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." Another mentioned, "Sites are a bit small for larger rigs but we managed."
Hookup reliability: Full service connections vary by campground. At Atlantic Shore Pines, a camper reported, "The site was big enough for our motor home and toad. Full hook-ups with 50-amp service."
Seasonal differences: Busy periods significantly affect the camping experience. A camper at Bodine Field observed, "During the off season is in 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."
