Bass River State Forest offers camping in the heart of New Jersey's Pine Barrens, with spacious sites set in sandy soil characteristic of the region. The forest's campground stays open year-round, letting campers experience the area's distinct seasonal changes. Several campgrounds near Beachwood feature sandy terrain that becomes especially challenging after rainfall, requiring proper gear and preparation.
What to do
Kayaking and boating on site: Turkey Swamp Park provides kayaking and other non-motorized boating activities on their 17-acre lake. "There is a lake with a boat dock and a small boardwalk. Kayaking/Canoeing, fishing, and swimming. In the summer, canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental," notes Lee D.
Archery opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer specialized activities beyond standard camping. "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels," suggests Patrick M. about Turkey Swamp Park, which features dedicated archery facilities for visitors wanting to practice their skills.
Winter activities: Camping near Beachwood isn't limited to warm weather. "Ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods," mentions Patrick M. about Turkey Swamp Park, highlighting year-round recreational options not commonly associated with camping.
Trail exploration: The best places to camp near Beachwood include properties with extensive trail systems. "There's a nice lake to kayak or paddle boat on. Each site has a fire pit, picnic table and garbage can," explains Jean T., noting the combination of water activities and basic site amenities that create a complete outdoor experience.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Butterfly Camping Resort features natural barriers between campsites. "The sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy," mentions Lee D. about the campground layout, while another camper notes, "Site was roomy, shady, and easy to pull in and out."
Family-friendly amenities: Campers repeatedly mention the range of activities available. "The park consists of permanent trailers, many tents for places to camp. There is lake in the middle and spots available along the water with their own dock," explains Robyn W. about Timberland Lake Campground.
Clean facilities: Brendan Byrne State Forest receives consistent praise for maintenance. "Very well maintained campsites and facilities," reports Marcus N., while Dan M. adds, "Showers and bathrooms are ok, kept pretty clean. Lots of good hiking trails, most the sites have pretty decent privacy from the other ones."
Pine Barrens environment: The unique ecosystem around Beachwood creates distinctive camping conditions. "It's in the great NJ pine barrens. This place is fantastic! The smells, the sounds, the wildlife. Love it," shares Benjamin K., highlighting sensory aspects of camping in this specific region.
What you should know
Site conditions vary significantly: Bass River State Forest campsites have particular characteristics. "Nice and clean campground, sandy sites. nice trails. great location," reports Stacey R. The sandy soil found throughout campgrounds near Beachwood can create challenges after rain.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate with limited schedules. "Ticks were very active on this visit be sure to remember your bug spray and tuck your pants in your socks!" warns Megan S. about spring camping at Brendan Byrne State Forest, highlighting an important seasonal safety consideration.
Bathroom facility quality: Bathroom conditions receive mixed reviews across campgrounds. "The bathrooms and showers here were in really good condition, well cleaned and stocked, and was pleasant to use!" says Dorian P. about Brendan Byrne State Forest, while at Bass River, another camper notes, "When entering the bathrooms, there was toilet paper all over, cobb webs and bugs flying all over."
Traffic noise varies: Some campgrounds near Beachwood experience highway noise. "Noisy with highway traffic. Well maintained though," reports Justin S. about Allaire State Park, providing a balanced assessment of the site conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-specific amenities: Baker's Acres Campground offers family-friendly facilities. "The staff was friendly, our site was large, clean, and the most level site we have ever camped on! We loved the nature trail. We saw deer every time we walked on it. My husband and daughter enjoyed the pool," shares Becca U.
Check tick activity: Insects can impact family camping experiences. "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!" reports Jaewook P. about Turkey Swamp Park, though experiences vary by season and location.
Consider off-peak visits: Quieter periods provide different experiences. "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. Getting a cabin in the winter and going for a snowy hike is wonderful there," explains Patrick M. about Allaire State Park.
Site selection matters: Families should research specific sites before booking. "We were worried about moving to the site they want me to move to in the Spring the corners around the campground seem tight with trees," notes Preston G. about navigating larger rigs at Butterfly Camping Resort.
Tips from RVers
Bring extra water hose: Water hookup placement varies at Pine Cone Resort. "Nicely wooded with water and electric. Be sure to bring extra hose because the water spigot is a distance from the electric," advises Jean T., providing practical advice about campsite setup requirements.
Consider road conditions: Many campgrounds feature unpaved roads. "They were well-maintained and in dry weather, not a problem, but probably not if it was rainy," observes Lee D. about Turkey Swamp Park's dirt roads, which can become challenging for larger vehicles after rainfall.
Site leveling may be necessary: Surface quality varies between campgrounds. "Sites are level and well maintained," reports Jean T. about Turkey Swamp Park, while others note challenges with uneven terrain at other properties, requiring leveling blocks for RVs.
Dump station availability: Most campgrounds provide sanitary dump stations, though not all sites offer full hookups. "The campground sells firewood, they leave it outside the park office so you can pick it up whenever," notes one camper about after-hours service availability, important for late-arriving RVers.
