Camden-area campsites sit between 10 and 400 feet elevation in the coastal plain of New Jersey, with sandy soil and pine forest ecosystems dominating the landscape. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with high humidity from June through September, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder 65-75°F days. Several campgrounds feature access to both urban attractions and natural settings within a 40-minute drive radius.
What to do
Hiking near water bodies: The Atsion Family Camp in Wharton State Forest offers trails alongside lakes and through pine forests. "There are little trails around the campsite too," notes one visitor. For serious hikers, "There are probably hundreds of miles of trails through the woods and bogs to explore."
Fishing opportunities: Many campsites provide fishing access with various catch possibilities. At Old Cedar Campground, "fishing was great," according to one camper, while another visitor mentioned that at Wharton State Forest "we launched our kayaks right at the site" for fishing access directly from their campsite.
Water recreation: Several campgrounds feature swimming and boating options. One visitor at Old Cedar Campground noted the "pool was clean" while campers at Parvin State Park mentioned that "the entire lure of this park was the lake," though some areas require additional fees for beach access.
Historic site visits: Washington Crossing State Park offers historical experiences including Revolutionary War connections. One visitor recommends, "Every year, they re-enact Washington's troops crossing the Delaware!" Another notes it's "significant historically and it is enjoyable for the entire family."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campers value well-maintained bathrooms and showers. A visitor at French Creek State Park Campground noted, "Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers. Nice area to wash dishes." Another camper at Lums Pond State Park described the bath house as "absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable."
Privacy between sites: Site spacing varies between campgrounds. At Brendan Byrne State Forest, "sites are spaced out enough to offer privacy" with "good trees for hammocking," while a visitor at Wharton State Forest appreciated that "sites were very big. Some sites were right on the water."
Organized activities: Several campgrounds offer planned events. At Adventure Bound Campground (formerly Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park), "they had a breakfast, games and crafts" during Father's Day weekend. Another visitor mentioned, "Dj in the rally field was fun and the train rides were up and running."
Good access points: Location convenience matters to many campers. Lums Pond State Park Campground offers "easy access from I-95" while Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA is praised as "just over the Delaware River from Philly" making it an ideal base for city exploration.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Check opening dates before planning your trip. At Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA, a visitor mentioned it "does close for winter and reopens in April but call park for exact closure dates because they do change." Most glamping operations in the Camden area run from April through October.
Campsite surfaces: Ground conditions vary between locations. At Parvin State Park Campground, "no gravel or pads on sites, just bare ground," while Old Cedar Campground features sandy areas that "gets very dusty and messy."
Water quality issues: Some campers report water concerns. At Parvin State Park, "the water has a very high iron content. I couldn't even use it for tooth brushing" and "most of the showers were out of order."
Fire regulations: Rules vary by location. One camper at Wharton State Forest noted the "weird rule" that "fires can only go from 6pm till 7am," while others mentioned firewood purchase requirements at certain parks.
Cell service: Coverage varies by location. A visitor at Parvin State Park reported "Verizon cell service was between 1 and 2 bars," while French Creek State Park campers noted "good cell service."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds cater specifically to families. Adventure Bound Campground offers "large splash park" facilities where "splash pad is very fun so is the large blow up slide and pool area." A visitor mentioned, "The pool and splash pad were great but you needed to be at least 42 inches to go on the slide or bounce house."
Playground access: Brendan Byrne State Forest features "a playground situated conveniently between the loops of the campground." One camper highlighted the "zip line" as the most popular feature, noting "All kids and adults agreed it was the most fun!"
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer learning experiences. Washington Crossing State Park provides historical education through "farms and animals to see, hikes along the Delaware river, Bowman's tower with a great view of the surrounding area and much more."
Organized activities: Many campgrounds schedule family events. At Adventure Bound Campground, "they text you so you don't forget" about scheduled activities, and there are "activities throughout the day" designed for various age groups.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Check the placement of utilities when booking. A camper at Old Cedar Campground noted that at some sites "water hookups are shared every other site" and "I was lucky my 75' hose barely reached the distance needed. Be sure to bring extra hoses."
Site leveling: Pad conditions vary across campgrounds. At French Creek State Park, "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze," while at Parvin State Park, a visitor reported that "Site was level and easy in and out."
Road conditions: Interior campground roads present challenges for larger rigs. At Old Cedar Campground, "the dirt/sand roads were horrible," while at Parvin State Park, "very narrow roads to sites, so not big rig friendly there but most sites are quite large."
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts site conditions. One camper at Parvin State Park noted, "it poured and hailed for 1 hr and it still made a swamp" despite having a gravel site.
