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.
What to do
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!"
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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."
