123 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Pine Barrens region surrounding Berlin, New Jersey features diverse camping options within a 30-minute drive, from rustic tent sites to full-service RV resorts. Wharton State Forest, spanning over 122,000 acres, offers several campgrounds including Atsion Family Camp with 50 sites and Goshen Pond with walk-in tent camping. Private campgrounds like Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA and Hospitality Creek Campground provide more amenities including full hookups, swimming pools, and organized activities. Jellystone Park South Jersey and Old Cedar Campground cater to families seeking resort-style facilities, while primitive camping opportunities exist for those seeking solitude in the pine forests.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability in the area, with many private campgrounds operating from April through October. Wharton State Forest's Batona and Mullica River campgrounds maintain a strict seasonal schedule from April 1 to October 31, while Atsion Family Camp and Brendan Byrne State Forest remain open year-round. The sandy soil common throughout the region can create challenges after rainfall, as noted by one camper: "Our site was sandy dirt which created a bit of a mess, especially after the rain. It is the Jersey shore, after all." Cell service varies considerably, with most state forest campgrounds offering limited connectivity. Campers report that Verizon typically provides the most reliable coverage in the area.
Waterfront sites receive consistently high ratings from visitors, particularly at Atsion Family Camp where lakeside sites are highly sought after. "Some sites have lake-side water access, so bring your canoes and kayaks and reserve these sites (4, 8, 10, 12, 20 and 22) early as they are popular," notes one reviewer. The region's proximity to Philadelphia makes it popular for weekend getaways, with the Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA situated just "20 minutes from Philly with quick and responsive Uber service." Many campgrounds feature swimming pools, fishing ponds, and organized activities during summer months. The extensive trail systems throughout Wharton State Forest provide hiking and off-road opportunities, with the Batona Trail connecting several camping areas and offering backpacking options for more adventurous visitors.
"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."
"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"
"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."
"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"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"
"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."
"There are grocery stores close by like Walmart about 20 minutes away. The beach is nice and clean. We rented canoes near the beach."
"Outside, to the back of the cabin, was a small deck with picnic table, a grill, and a fire ring. Beyond that you will find a path to the lake with beautiful swans."
from $20 - $65 / night
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TravelerMany long term seasonal sites. Good community. Large shower house good and clean . Pool. Game room. Off leash dog park. Wooded/shady sites or no shade sunny sites. Lots of area to walk or play. Large field, basketball couture, frisky golf, play area and laundry room. We were here all summer (June-october). Lots to do in the area. Good food nearby. Ocean city 10 minutes away.
ScoutThis is one of the largest, if not the largest, campgrounds in Southern New Jersey. While on the pricier side, everything is top-notch. The roads are all paved, and not gravel (I hate trying to sleep and listening to the sound of stones grating together). The sites are more spacious than most campgrounds, so it doesn't seem so crowded. The bathrooms are all modern and spotless. There are numerous bathrooms which means most sites have one nearby. They do charge a quarter for showers to encourage water conservation and donate the money to conservation causes. The pool is large, as is the lake. Both are well-maintained. The camp store is enormous and is really nice and well-stocked with everything one might need from food to pool and beach stuff to camping supplies and equipment. There is a nice cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. The camp store has a lending library of books and DVDs. There are numerous activities that appear to be well-run, The grounds are shaded with many trees for a great wooded campground feel. The campground is so large that it has an internal shuttle with stations scattered about to help people go between the various important sites such as at the pool, the lake and the store. I found other campers, particularly the seasonals, to be more friendly than other campgrounds at the shore. This requires constant tree care including removing dead trees and branches which they do regularly. The staff is friendly and well-trained. I was in a tent, and when a rare October nor'easter came through, I was offered the opportunity to use a cabin free-of-charge. Fortunately my tent and equipment made it through days of rain and high winds just fine . On my first stay in May, I had to run my dog back to Baltimore towards the end of my trip where he was sadly diagnosed with incurable metastatic cancer. When I returned, I was late and unable to check out by 11, but they allowed me to take as much time as needed to clear the site, as nobody was staying there the next day, which was deeply appreciated - I was an emotional wreck. Oh, and I found the complimentary Wi-Fi to be a great service, and sufficiently fast to allow me to stream ultra-high-definition movies at my site - Most campgrounds charge extra for less-than-good service - a lot more. I find that a big bonus. Overall, I LOVE this campground and highly recommend it.
GuideThis campground is part of the Wharton State Forest and has several campgrounds in the area. Great wooded sites right on a lake. Pretty good separation between sites with good tree separation between sites. Some road noise not overly affecting site.
ScoutRestrooms are filthy with mold and mildew.
Water puddled on the restroom floor.really gross.
Cabin was mostly clean. The windows were full of dirt and bugs on the tracks.mattresses were terrible.The fireplace was nice. Kitchen was clean.
Can t wait to move on to a cleaner park.
RangerWe stayed just a couple nights here on our way north. The camp host was helpful before our stay and during check-in. Our site was pretty isolated from the others, so it was very quiet (no complaints here). There is a decent mix of sunny sites by the river and shady sites under the trees. The weather was perfect mid September. There wasn't anything spectacular for me, but it was a good experience and it was a nice taste of fall PA scenery. Beware that the roads are tight for a big rig. Side note, it did seem like most campers lived there.
ScoutMy check in was for 8-6-2026, and bc I’m a new driver and wanted to beat traffic I got there early (7am) so I sit there waiting till check in time. When suddenly the park police show up. He’s accusing me of camping over night there. I told him simply I wasn’t and where I was night prior (would never sleep somewhere without permission). So we go to the store to kill time before we check in. Come back for Check in and the whole staff in just the office alone were so arrogant and cold to my mom and I, leaving rude comments to us and not only where they like that but the staff outside the office was acting like that alongside the rangers and park police. They would watch us the whole visit in the distance parking there cars a little ways watching everything we did,even driving by slowly a bunch of times in just an hour alone. My mom and I couldn’t do anything with out them showing up 2 mins later. Example we were walking our dog enjoying our time(trying to) and all of a sudden one of the office ladies pulls up right in front of us speeding, parks their car, gets out and walks a distance from us standing there and taking pictures of us…. For walking our dog who’s on a leash and didn’t even do anything. The whole trip we felt uncomfortable and unwanted and to find out they police when we were going on walks where coming up to campers near us bribing them with free firewood to get any information on use (told to us by other camper). I paid a lot of money to be harassed and followed the whole time. We never did anything we abide by every rule and keep to ourselves everywhere we go. They even made my mother cry…
GuideBeautiful campground but made the mistake of going on a holiday weekend, the campgrounds next to us were screaming and blasting music all day and throughout the night so we ended up leaving early. A beautiful campground when there aren’t noisy capers ruining it.
ScoutAs far as experience it was good. The main issue was the campsite where we were was uneven and caused many of the sleeping arrangements that we had to be not level. This seems to be a specific issue to the group campsite number two as when we went inwards it seemed like everything else was much better.
ScoutFirst time at this campground really like it a lot will be returning. The bathrooms are always clean. The grounds are always kept up. Just a really nice place to stay. Most of the sites have some kind of shade.
Dispersed camping near Berlin, New Jersey presents diverse options throughout the Pine Barrens region. The area's characteristic sandy soil and pine forest ecology creates a unique camping environment with natural drainage challenges during wet weather. Campers can expect typical summer temperatures ranging from 75-90°F, while spring and fall offer milder conditions ideal for hiking the region's extensive trail systems.
Water recreation at Atsion Lake: The lake at Atsion Family Camp offers swimming, kayaking, and fishing opportunities. One camper noted, "LOVE!!!! I always get site #8 and it has an amazing view of the lake. While camping at atsion family campground, you have free access to the recreation center (the beach and some trails)."
Hiking the Batona Trail: This 50-mile trail system connects multiple Batona — Wharton State Forest campsites. "Best part of this campground is trailheads begin directly from campsites. Trails vary in length but all are flat and easily accessible," mentions a reviewer who appreciated the convenience.
Tubing at Wading River: The gentle current makes for relaxing float trips. A visitor to Wading Pines Camping Resort shared, "We did have a great time tubing on the river. Have someone drop you off at Hawkins Bridge and float down to the campground. A little over 2 hour ride."
Historical exploration: Visit the preserved buildings and ruins in the area. As one camper explained, "In the area there are historic buildings and ruins you get to by 'off roading' on all dirt roads. Great places to kayak and Pineland Adventures right down the street has wonderful trips!"
Secluded walk-in sites: The walk-in tent sites at Goshen Pond — Wharton State Forest provide a more primitive experience. "Really liked this campground. 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," reports one satisfied visitor.
Stargazing opportunities: The Pine Barrens offer excellent night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. "Our tent has a full view of the sky and at night it was like a planetarium as we admired the sky from our cots," wrote a camper who stayed at Bodine campground in Wharton State Forest.
Wildlife viewing: The diverse ecosystem supports various bird species and mammals. "If you look around the campground edges or follow the walking trail into the woods, you will find wonderful native plants like blueberry, viburnum, clethra, and meadow beauty," noted a camper at Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA.
Seasonal wild blueberries: Summer visitors can forage for wild blueberries throughout the region. A camper mentioned, "Wild blueberries abound during summer months!" when describing their overnight loop in Wharton State Forest.
Insect awareness: Ticks and chiggers are prevalent in the Pine Barrens. A visitor to Goshen Pond warned, "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."
Sandy roads: The access roads to many campsites in the pine barrens can be challenging. "The road into the campground is about 1 mile of loose sand. It can be accessed by a standard vehicle," advised a Batona camper, while another noted, "Roads into the place are single car only, with a good amount of spots to pull off if you find yourself head to head with another vehicle."
Limited cell service: Most remote campsites have poor connectivity. A visitor to Brendan Byrne State Forest commented, "I really enjoyed the site. While camping at atsion family campground, you have free access to the recreation center (the beach and some trails). In the area there are historic buildings and ruins you get to by 'off roading' on all dirt roads."
Water filtering needed: The natural water in the area has a distinct color but is safe to filter. "Batsto River provides plenty of water for filtering--don't be weirded out by the brown color caused by tannins," advised a backpacker.
Reserve lakefront sites early: Waterfront campsites at Hospitality Creek Campground book quickly during summer months. A regular visitor mentioned, "We have camped here for the past 7 years. This Campground has 2 pool and swimming lake. Waterfront sites are my favorite as you can bring your own kayaks."
Look for organized children's activities: Some campgrounds offer structured programs. As noted by a visitor to Old Cedar Campground, "Every Saturday they had an organized activity for the kids…. EVERYONE was extremely friendly. I will definitely return - best kept secret!!"
Check bathroom facilities: Restroom quality varies widely between campgrounds. A camper at Brendan Byrne State Forest reported, "Bathrooms and showers are ok, kept pretty clean. Lots of good hiking trails, most the sites have pretty decent privacy from the other ones."
Pack extra water containers: Water spigots may not be conveniently located. One camper noted, "Spacious campsite, although the closest water spigot wasn't working. Not a big problem as there are plenty of others."
Bring extra hoses: Some campgrounds have shared water hookups that require longer connections. A visitor to Jellystone Park South Jersey reported, "The water hookups are shared every other site. I was lucky my 75' hose barely reached the distance needed. Be sure to bring extra hoses."
Check road conditions: Many campground access roads are narrow with tight turns. One RVer noted, "The roads and turns were tight for our 36' motorhome, but manageable."
Reserve premium sites if available: Some campgrounds offer enhanced RV sites. A visitor mentioned, "We stayed in Site 122, a Red Carpet Pull-Thru RV site, at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp Resort South Jersey for Father's Day weekend. Our site included a nice concrete pad big enough to park our 45' motorhome+ toad."
Consider seasonal traffic: Weekend congestion can make navigation difficult. An RVer advised, "Check in was easy but the roads are narrow and we had a hard time getting on to site 145. The campground is PACKED! Very busy with kids and golf carts."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds in Berlin with cabins?
For cabin accommodations near Berlin, Atsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest offers rental cabins as part of their facilities. Located off US 206 and about half a mile up Atsion Road, this campground is managed by the Department of Environmental Protection and provides both camping sites and cabin options. Another option with comfortable accommodations is Spacious Skies Country Oaks in Dorothy, which features well-maintained facilities and is known for its peaceful atmosphere even during winter months.
What do Berlin campgrounds look like?
Campgrounds near Berlin offer diverse settings and amenities. Ocean View Resort Campground features numerous activities within the property and is close to local attractions, though some areas can be buggy depending on the season. Butterfly Camping Resort provides large playgrounds, plenty of family activities, spacious sites with natural separation between neighbors, clean bathrooms, and a fishing lake. Many campgrounds in the region balance wooded privacy with access to recreation, offering everything from basic tent sites to full-service RV hookups.
Where can I find campgrounds near Berlin?
Several quality campgrounds are located within driving distance of Berlin. Belleplain State Forest offers a quiet camping experience with smooth check-in processes and is just a short drive to Cape May and Ocean City beaches. Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA is another option with full hookups, located about 20 minutes from Philadelphia with convenient Uber access for city visits. Note that this KOA closes for winter and reopens in April, so check exact dates before planning.
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