Pemberton, New Jersey campsites sit amid the distinctive sandy soil of the Pine Barrens where temperatures fluctuate significantly between seasons, reaching highs above 85°F in summer and dropping below 25°F in winter. The area's camping season peaks from April through October when the region's acidic, cedar-stained streams run clearer and warmer. Campsites near Pemberton typically require advance booking for weekends, with many locations operating limited schedules during winter months.
What to do
Kayaking the Wading River: Access the water directly from multiple sites at Wading Pines Camping Resort, where you can tube from Hawkins Bridge downstream to the campground. "You can tube down the river from one end of camp to the other," notes one camper who appreciated the waterway access.
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park maintains dedicated archery lanes with hay bale targets for campers to practice their skills. "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels," suggests a regular visitor who finds the park has "everything the outdoorsman could ask for."
Hiking the Batona Trail: The 50+ mile trail system connects multiple campsites and runs directly through Batona Campground in Wharton State Forest. "The Batona trail runs through the campground," mentions a reviewer who found this access point convenient for longer hikes.
Wildlife observation: Butterfly Camping Resort borders wildlife habitats with hiking trails for nature observation. A visitor mentioned that beyond traditional activities, they "enjoyed nature" with easily accessible trails from their campsite.
What campers like
Secluded camping areas: Goshen Pond Campground receives high marks for its remote waterfront sites. "Our site was right next to the Mullica River, and had excellent views if you walked just a couple steps from the tent," reports one visitor who particularly valued being able to "put our kayaks in right next to the site."
Spacious sites with privacy: Brendan Byrne State Forest offers well-spaced campsites with natural screening. "Sites are spaced out enough to offer privacy. Good trees for hammocking! Plenty of room for a few tents at each site," notes a camper who appreciated the layout.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain better-than-expected bathrooms and showers. A visitor to Butterfly Camping Resort found "some of the cleanest bath houses I've seen at a campground," with facilities that were "newer and clean."
Fishing opportunities: Turkey Swamp Park provides shoreline fishing access with bait available on-site. "There is a pretty lake with good fishing and they sell bait at the Ranger office," reports a satisfied angler who found the setup convenient.
What you should know
Road conditions vary: Several campgrounds feature unpaved roads that become challenging after rain. At Turkey Swamp Park, "all roads are dirt, which was a bit surprising. They were well-maintained and in dry weather, not a problem, but probably not if it was rainy."
Fire regulations: Campfire rules differ between locations, with some enforcing specific hours. At Brendan Byrne State Forest, "fires can only go from 6pm till 7am which was odd but wasn't a deal breaker."
Insect preparedness: The Pine Barrens region has significant tick populations in warmer months. A camper at Turkey Swamp Park warned, "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2. That was so crazy because we were just sitting by our camper."
Campsite surfaces: Many sites feature sandy soil that becomes problematic with gear and inside tents. A Butterfly Camping Resort guest noted, "The site was sandy. The whole place is sandy. This is messy, especially after a bit of rain, and makes it a constant challenge to keep the sand out of the RV."
Tips for camping with families
Activity-centered campgrounds: Timberland Lake Campground offers structured events for children, especially during holiday weekends. "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," reports a parent who visited with toddlers.
Best swimming options: Pools provide cleaner swimming than lakes for younger children. A reviewer mentioned Butterfly Camping Resort's "pool was large and the water crystal clear," making it preferable to the sometimes tannic-stained lake water common in the region.
Playground accessibility: Consider campsite proximity to play areas for convenience. At Turkey Swamp Park, one visitor noted the "centralized playground for the kids with bathrooms and showers next door," creating an ideal setup for families with young children.
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds border historical sites that create learning experiences. A camper at Atsion Family Camp mentioned that "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."
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Atsion Family Camp provides larger pull-through sites that accommodate bigger rigs with room for additional vehicles. "Our site was a level pull-thru with 50-amp electric, water, sewer, and cable. It was roomy, shady, and easy to pull in and out. We had plenty of room to fit our car too," reports one RVer.
Electric hookup availability: Limited electric sites make advance booking crucial for RVers. At Brendan Byrne State Forest, campers need to specify electric requirements as a reviewer noted, "if using an RV in a tent site you are not allowed to add another tent to the site."
Access road navigation: Narrow forest roads challenge larger rigs in some locations. A camper at Butterfly Camping Resort worried, "I am a little concerned about moving to the site they want me to move to in the Spring the corners around the campground seem tight with trees."
Water supply preparation: The water quality varies between campgrounds. At Brendan Byrne State Forest, "the closest water spigot wasn't working. Not a big problem as there are plenty of others," noted a visitor, suggesting RVers should arrive with tanks already filled.
