Near Brigantine, New Jersey, campers find a mix of pine forest and coastal camping options within the Pine Barrens region. Most campgrounds sit at elevations less than 50 feet above sea level on predominantly sandy terrain. The Atlantic coastal area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching 85-90°F and mild winters, making April through October the prime camping season.
What to do
Lake activities at Bass River State Forest: The 67-acre lake provides boating opportunities with canoe and kayak rentals available on-site. "We walked and explored, kayaked, and sang by the fire. The camp sites have plenty of room for the kids to run around and set up there own areas. Great area for tent camping," says Matthew H. at Bass River State Forest.
Hiking trails: Many campgrounds offer nature trails through the Pine Barrens. "The newest addition of extra pet friendly sites have made it even better because we can bring the pup. The sites are a great size and many are set back enough that you have privacy. Many great memories of canoeing and fishing on the lake," writes Maggie H. about Bass River's trail system.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds feature fishing lakes or ponds. At Holly Acres RV Park, "Good fishing at the lake. They also allow golfcarts," notes Arnold M. about the Holly Acres RV Park fishing amenities.
Beach excursions: Most campgrounds are within 15-40 minutes of beaches at Long Beach Island and Atlantic City. "The trip into LBI was an easy one. We borrowed beach tags from the camp store for a fee and headed to the Brant Beach section of LBI," reports Becca U. from Baker's Acres Campground.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the privacy of tree-lined sites. "Clean, private wooded sites. Clean bathhouse, friendly staff. The pool was clean," says Sharon S. about Baker's Acres Campground. Another camper, Joel N., adds "Quaint and rustic, heavily wooded. Makes you feel like your camping, not just lined up next to a bunch of campers."
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness ranks high among camper priorities. "The bathhouses near our site were cleaned 2x daily and the best part is, they're private! (Shower, sink, toilet in a 10 room bathhouse)," notes Karen S. about Baker's Acres.
Swimming pools: Several campgrounds offer pools as alternatives to beach swimming. At Sea Pirate Campground, Matt S. notes, "One major upgrade since our last visit is an entirely new swimming pool. It's beautifully done and an obviously significant investment to this area of the campground. Based on how crowded it was each day, it was probably money well-spent."
Family-friendly atmospheres: Campgrounds near Brigantine cater to families with children. "Very nice camp sites. Pool looked amazing but it rained the entire weekend. Very friendly staff. Bath houses were extremely clean. Camp Store had a lot of supplies if needed," reports Mark A. about Whippoorwill Campground.
What you should know
Sandy terrain challenges: The Pine Barrens region features sandy soil which affects campsite conditions. "My frustration came with the noise level and the site I booked. Sites 14, 16, 59, and 57 (I think) all share a common area. It lacked privacy and our inconsiderate neighbors partied alllllll niggghhtttt llooonngggg as well as many other people in the South campground," writes Amanda M. about Bass River State Forest.
Seasonal campers and weekenders: Many campgrounds balance a mix of seasonal residents and weekend campers. "There are several people working on assignment for a nearby decommissioned nuclear power plant who live at this campground. Shady Pines caters to long-term and year-round guests as well as manufactured homes/trailers that are permanent," notes Matt S. about Shady Pines.
Insects and bugs: The coastal proximity and wooded areas create significant insect activity. "The campground is clean and well maintained. It's very close to civilization but you get the camping experience. There were a lot of ticks when we stayed in May so keep that in mind," warns Gennifer K. about Bass River.
Water pressure variation: Some campers report issues with utilities, particularly during peak usage times. "We had a problem with our site: extremely low water pressure, often below 20 PSI. It was so low at times, that we couldn't take showers or flush the toilet," reports Matt S. about Sea Pirate Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Activity schedules: Check campground event calendars before booking. "The campground looked like it would have been a lot of fun if it wasn't for the bugs," notes Happy Camper L. from Sea Pirate Campground. Another camper adds, "Halloween fun was really good. Many kids grade school and elementary level enjoyed the dance."
Pool access: For hot summer days, pools offer welcome relief. "My daughter loved it and we will certainly return next season!" shares Michael M. about Whippoorwill Campground, adding "We had a great time taking advantage of all the amenities available."
Beach proximity considerations: Factor in travel time to beaches when booking. "Close to LBI and a short drive to Smithville, I highly recommend Baker's Acres!" recommends Karen S., while another camper notes "This is a great campground with a nice pool and good proximity to LBI."
Kid-friendly transportation: Some campgrounds allow golf carts, which families appreciate for getting around. "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. They allow golfcarts which is a plus in my book," shares Arnold M. about Wading Pines.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds have uneven sites requiring significant leveling equipment. "The much bigger problem was that it sloped so much it was impossible to level. I didn't have enough blocks to prop up the leveling jacks enough to level the RV," reports Matt S. about Shady Pines Campground.
Road conditions: Interior roads at some campgrounds present navigation challenges. "Some people might complain about the condition of the roads. We didn't mind them - it kept people from driving too fast," notes Becca U. about Baker's Acres.
Site dimensions: RVers should confirm site dimensions match their rig requirements. "Backing my rig into the site, and exiting, was a bit challenging due to the angle and size of the service road but we managed well enough and really enjoyed the area," reports Jim G. about Baker's Acres Campground.
Utility reliability: Water pressure and electrical capacity vary by campground. "The site had not been checked since its last guests left because there was refuse(used bandages, a used propane canister, etc.) that should have been cleaned prior to check-in by new guests. The water, 50-amp electric, and sewer hookups worked fine," adds Matt S. about Shady Pines.
