Brendan Byrne State Forest offers primitive equestrian camping across 37,000 acres of woodland in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Sites in this forest maintain a natural setting with minimal development, requiring visitors to bring water and pack out trash. The forest has over 25 miles of multi-use trails that wind through pine and oak forests, with some trails connecting to the wider Batona Trail system that runs through adjacent natural areas.
What to do
Kayaking on forest ponds: Turkey Swamp Park provides water recreation options on its lake with rental equipment. "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., who appreciated the variety of water activities.
Archery practice: Several parks offer dedicated archery ranges for target practice. "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels," suggests Patrick M. about Turkey Swamp Park, who enjoys the specialized outdoor activities available.
Winter activities: The region offers year-round camping with seasonal recreation options. "It has everything the outdoorsman could ask for... Ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods," adds Patrick about Turkey Swamp Park's winter offerings.
Forest hiking: Blackbird State Forest provides extensive trail systems for day hiking. "There are plenty of hiking trails in the state forest, complete with mushrooms, and deer-hunting-stands," reports D R., highlighting the natural features you'll encounter.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the space between campsites. "Sites are big and all were redone in the last few years with concrete pads, 30 amp service and full sewer. There are some equestrian and tent sites as well," Ellen B. mentions about Lums Pond State Park.
Clean facilities: Maintained bathhouses are consistently mentioned in positive reviews. "The bathrooms were clean and the staff was friendly. They do patrol the sites with a police presence in the evening," notes Jesse G. about Brendan Byrne State Forest.
Spacious wooded campsites: Many parks offer large sites with natural surroundings. "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest," describes Katheryn N. of Turkey Swamp Park, emphasizing the natural camping experience.
What you should know
Tick awareness: Ticks are prevalent in wooded areas near Berlin. "Ticks were very active on this visit be sure to remember your bug spray and tuck your pants in your socks!" warns Megan S. of Brendan Byrne State Forest. Proper clothing and regular checks are essential.
Campfire restrictions: Some parks limit when fires can be built. "Only weird rule I saw was that fires can only go from 6pm till 7am which was odd but wasn't a deal breaker," notes Dorian P. about Brendan Byrne State Forest.
Limited amenities at primitive sites: Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area offers more rustic accommodations. "There are two primitive youth group camping areas. There are specific rules that need to be followed and the guidelines are on the website," explains Gen F., highlighting the specialized nature of this camping option.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "Our daughter really enjoyed the playground (which was excellent, by my standards). She fought us about leaving the playground, and really would have been content if that was all we did," shares Mark about Lums Pond State Park.
Winter cabin options: Seasonal camping in cabins provides comfortable family accommodations. "Getting a cabin in the winter and going for a snowy hike is wondrful there," recommends Patrick M. about Allaire State Park, noting the year-round accessibility.
Activities for children: Many parks offer programs suitable for younger visitors. "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! The campground was super clean too. It was perfect!" reports JAEWOOK P. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: RV campers should note that utility connections may be positioned awkwardly. "The site offered electric and water but they were on 2 different sides. This made it difficult to set up. Had to park the camper crooked to use both," cautions Amanda H. from Lums Pond State Park.
Leveling requirements: Many campgrounds have relatively level sites but may need minor adjustments. "The site was fairly level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back. That was a bonus," notes Mark about his experience at Lums Pond State Park.
Hose length planning: Water connections may be distant from RV pads. "Bring a LONG water hose," advises Shawn about Turkey Swamp Park, indicating that standard equipment might not suffice at all sites.
