Situated within the Inner Coastal Plain of New Jersey, the region around Bordentown sits at approximately 40 feet above sea level with sandy pine forests and wetlands dominating the terrain. The camping season typically runs April through November, with average summer temperatures reaching 85°F during peak months. The area's proximity to the Delaware River creates distinctive ecological zones that support diverse wildlife habitats even within developed camping areas.
What to Do
Water activities on natural lakes: Turkey Swamp Park offers multiple water recreation options with boat rentals available during summer months. According to camper Dan W., "Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from. Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking. Plenty to do over a 2 night stay."
Historical excursions: Washington Crossing State Park preserves Revolutionary War history with interpretive trails and seasonal reenactments. David S. notes, "Every year, they re-enact Washington's troops crossing the Delaware! It was VERY cold the year I went. To warm up, there is a small visitor's center where they have a reproduction of the famous painting commemorating the moment."
Pine Barrens exploration: Brendan Byrne State Forest offers extensive hiking through classic New Jersey Pine Barrens terrain. A visitor shares, "Lots of good hiking trails, most the sites have pretty decent privacy from the other ones," and another adds, "There are probably hundreds of miles of trails through the woods and bogs to explore."
Tubing adventures: Seasonal river tubing provides refreshing recreation during hot summer days. At Wading Pines, one camper advises, "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."
What Campers Like
Private, wooded sites: Campers consistently praise sites with natural separation at Turkey Swamp Park. According to Katheryn N., "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest. There is pretty lake with good fishing and they sell bait at the Ranger office."
Proximity to major attractions: Many appreciate camping locations with easy access to regional destinations. One camper at Timberland Lake noted, "This campground is conveniently located near six flags (5min), Sesame Place (40 min) and Philadelphia (60 min)."
Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathrooms and showers make a significant difference in the camping experience. At Brendan Byrne State Forest, a visitor observed, "The bathrooms and showers here were in really good condition, well cleaned and stocked, and was pleasant to use!"
Family-oriented activities: Scheduled events create memorable experiences for children. A camper at Wading Pines Camping Resort shared, "We loved this campground. Friendly staff. Plenty for the kids to do. The river is right there to go tubing or kayaking. Playground is cool."
What You Should Know
Reservation requirements: Most glamping close to Bordentown, New Jersey requires advance booking, especially during summer weekends. At Round Valley Recreation Area, one visitor advises, "Reservations are required, permits are non-negotiable and the max stay tops out at 14 nights."
Seasonal rules and timing: Fire restrictions vary by location and season. A camper at Brendan Byrne noted, "Only weird rule I saw was that fires can only go from 6pm till 7am which was odd but wasn't a deal breaker."
Bug considerations: Atsion Family Camp in Wharton State Forest requires tick precautions during warm months. One reviewer at Turkey Swamp warned, "My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2. That was so crazy because we were just sitting by our camper."
Noise levels vary: Some campgrounds are quieter than others. At Wading Pines, a camper observed, "This place is great for families with children. But if you're looking for a quiet kid-free-get-away, I wouldn't recommend," while another noted, "Never stayed at Wading Pines, but have camped in the state park next to it and their live music (a terrible cover band) blasts every weekend until midnight into the park."
Tips for Camping with Families
Lake activities for children: Round Valley Recreation Area offers swimming and water recreation suitable for families. According to one visitor, "Beautiful campsite right by the lake. Really nice spot to camp very peaceful and quit. Gorgeous sunset, Beautiful views."
Seasonal Halloween events: Fall camping includes special activities at several parks. One camper shared about Timberland Lake, "We went to timberland lake last fall. it happened to be the Halloween weekend which was full of excellent activities from pumpkin painting to piñatas and tricker treating."
Playgrounds and designated areas: Several campgrounds feature dedicated children's facilities. A Turkey Swamp Park visitor noted, "Centralized playground for the kids with bathrooms and showers next door. Staff was awesome! Attentive and outgoing."
Sand management strategies: At some campgrounds, sand can be problematic for tent and RV camping. According to Robyn W., "Sand… so hard even with rugs to pull out of trailer," recommending heavy-duty outdoor mats for comfort.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Tohickon Valley County Park offers limited facilities for larger rigs. Maureen F. notes, "No electrical and no pets allowed in camp sites. But plenty of trees and huge fire rings in each spot. An RV would have a tough time but for car camping it's great."
Site access challenges: Navigation difficulties affect some RV campers. Beth R. from Adventure Bound Camping observed, "Tight site & hard to get in/out for big rigs" despite offering full hookups.
Water hose requirements: Some sites require longer-than-standard water connections. One camper advises, "Bring a LONG water hose. Nice lake. Showers and washers and dryers."
Seasonal camper considerations: Many parks have a mix of transient and seasonal sites. According to Stacy D. at Wading Pines, "We had seasonals in front and behind us who weren't very friendly and one woman looked annoyed we were there. Our neighboring transient campers were very nice."
