Brendan Byrne State Forest offers equestrian camping within New Jersey's Pine Barrens region. Located 5 miles from main roads, the forest features sand-based trails suited for horseback riding throughout its 37,000 acres. Campsites remain open year-round with varying seasonal conditions that affect trail access and camping comfort.
What to do
Explore extensive trail networks: The forest contains numerous hiking and multi-use paths for horseback riding exploration. At Blackbird State Forest Campground, campers report "plenty of hiking trails in the state forest, complete with mushrooms, and deer-hunting-stands." The trail system connects directly to camping areas, allowing convenient access.
Overnight equestrian trips: Horse campgrounds near Newfield, New Jersey provide accommodations for riders and horses. Brendan Byrne State Forest features "plenty of good hiking trails, most the sites have pretty decent privacy from the other ones," according to visitor Dan M. The flat, sandy terrain makes for accessible riding conditions.
Wildlife observation: The Pine Barrens ecosystem hosts unique plants and animals. The forest setting provides opportunities for nature photography and bird watching. As one visitor noted, "The smells, the sounds, the wildlife. Love it." Morning and evening hours typically offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
What campers like
Seclusion from urban environments: Campers appreciate the remote setting. One visitor shared that Brendan Byrne State Forest "is far away from traffic noise. You can't hear any cars or any other noise from civilization at all. It's at least 10 miles away from anything more than a single house in the woods."
Clean facilities: Despite the remote location, campground amenities remain well-maintained. A camper at Lums Pond State Park Campground noted, "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease."
Spacious campsites: Sites provide adequate room for camping setups. At Blackbird State Forest, a visitor mentioned, "Each site has lots of room, very much enjoyed our stay and will return!" Another camper described, "Each site has a fire pit, a grill, and two tables with a decent amount of space for tents."
What you should know
Fire regulations: Campfire policies include specific time restrictions. According to Dorian P., "Only weird rule I saw was that fires can only go from 6pm till 7am which was odd but wasn't a deal breaker." Rangers regularly patrol to ensure compliance with fire safety rules.
Water access: Water availability varies by location. Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area provides drinking water at designated locations. At Brendan Byrne, a camper noted there are "Lots of potable water hydrants around the campground so not far of a walk to fill any water needs you may have."
Pest protection: Insect activity increases during warmer months. One visitor at Brendan Byrne warned, "Ticks were very active on this visit be sure to remember your bug spray and tuck your pants in your socks!" Protective clothing and repellent are essential during summer camping trips.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some nearby campgrounds offer recreational facilities for children. At Lums Pond, a visitor shared, "Our daughter really enjoyed the playground (which was excellent, by my standards)." The playgrounds provide entertainment options between trail activities.
Site selection: Research campsite locations relative to facilities. At Blackbird State Forest, a camper advised, "There are a couple portapotties in the camping area, which are a few feet from one campsite, or a few blocks from another." Sites closer to restrooms benefit families with young children.
Weekend timing: Popular horse campgrounds near Newfield fill quickly during peak periods. One regular visitor noted, "Book early because it fills up fast!" Reservations should be secured weeks in advance for summer weekends and holidays.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric connections are limited at equestrian campgrounds. Jesse G. mentioned an important restriction: "If using an RV in a tent site you are not allowed to add another tent to the site. There is a two tent limit per site despite the site allowing up to 6 people." Understanding these limitations prevents unexpected adjustments upon arrival.
Leveling conditions: Site terrain varies throughout the region. A visitor at Lums Pond State Park shared, "The site was fairly level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back. That was a bonus." Bringing leveling blocks remains advisable for most camping areas.
Access roads: Forest service roads lead to most equestrian camping areas. The secluded nature means longer drives from main highways. One camper described, "You have to drive a good amount of distance to get into the campground and that is something I really enjoyed! Made me feel super secluded and disconnected from the outside!"
