Camping sites near Cherry Hill Mall, New Jersey provide convenient outdoor escapes within 25 miles of Philadelphia's urban center. The region's terrain features sandy soil and pine forest ecosystems in the New Jersey Pine Barrens with elevations generally below 200 feet. Summer temperatures average 85°F during peak camping season, while spring and fall bring milder conditions with nighttime temperatures that can drop significantly even when days are warm.
What to do
Kayaking on local waterways: Goshen Pond Campground in Wharton State Forest offers excellent kayaking opportunities with waterfront campsites that provide direct water access. "Our site was right next to the Mullica River, and had excellent views if you walked just a couple steps from the tent. We were able to put our kayaks in right next to the site which was very convenient," notes one camper.
Birdwatching at observation decks: Fort Washington State Park Campground features designated observation areas for viewing seasonal bird migrations. "From this very spot you can view the beautiful raptors that migrate here on a seasonal basis in both the Spring and Autumn, wherein you can view their splendor from the wonderfully built Observation Deck," shares a visitor. The park is particularly known for hawk watching in fall.
Trail exploration through pine forests: Batona Campground in Wharton State Forest offers direct trail access from campsites. "Best part of this campground is trailheads begin directly from campsites. Trails vary in length but all are flat and easily accessible," explains one reviewer. The Batona Trail passes directly through the campground, providing immediate hiking opportunities.
Swimming at Atsion Lake: From Wharton State Forest camping areas, visitors can access swimming facilities at Atsion Recreation Area. "While camping at atsion family campground, you have free access to the recreation center (the beach and some trails)," notes a camper. The beach area has seasonal lifeguards and designated swimming zones.
What campers like
Secluded pine forest settings: Batona Campground offers a truly immersive forest experience. "It is so easy to get lost in these woods and I LOVE IT! I grew up near the pine barrens and would camp here many times with friends. If you want off the beaten path and not close to anyone... this is IT!" shares an enthusiastic camper.
Lakeside camping spots: Hospitality Creek Campground provides premium waterfront sites with direct lake access. "We spent an extended weekend at Hospitality Creek. Our site(#57— Lakefront Premium Waterfront) had full hookups and everything worked fine. The site was a good size, covered in heavy mulch, and is level. The photos of the lake were taken from our site to show this really is waterfront," notes a satisfied visitor.
Urban glamping options: For those wanting proximity to Philadelphia while still camping, Philly Love Boats at Pier 5 Marina offers unique accommodations. "I am definitely going to give this a shot this looks very peaceful," remarks a potential visitor. This option provides electricity, running water, and boat living just minutes from downtown.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Brendan Byrne State Forest campground receives praise for its upkeep. "The bathrooms and showers here were in really good condition, well cleaned and stocked, and was pleasant to use! The campsites are a little bit close to each and didnt offer much privacy but they were right in top of each other," explains a camper who appreciated the maintained facilities.
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions apply: Some campgrounds have different operational schedules. "This is a very nice KOA, just over the Delaware River from Philly... Note- this does close for winter and reopens in April but call park for exact closure dates because they do change," advises a camper at Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA.
Tick and insect awareness: Several campers note the need for proper insect protection in the Pine Barrens region. "Great sites, great trails, lots of hiking and off road trails for dirt bike/atv/ trucks. Pretty good boating/ fishing. Just gotta check often for chiggers and ticks," warns a visitor to Goshen Pond Campground.
Cell service variability: Connectivity can be spotty in more remote areas. "Cell service is 'iffy' at best, depending on how hard the woods are trying to keep you offline," notes a camper at Fort Washington State Park Campground. Most KOA properties maintain stronger signals.
Campsite amenities vary widely: Facilities range from primitive to full-service. "The campsite runs along a local road that doesn't get much traffic, but you'll definitely hear cars going by at 50 mph... Across the street from the entrance is a home that sells sundries and firewood," explains a visitor to Atsion Recreation Area about the surrounding environment.
Tips for camping with families
Pool and recreation access: Hospitality Creek Campground offers multiple swimming options. "This Campground has 2 pool and swimming lake. Waterfront sites ate my favorite as you can bring your own kayaks... in season tons of hourly activities for the kids," explains a regular visitor who appreciates the family-friendly atmosphere.
Planned children's activities: Old Cedar Campground schedules regular entertainment for younger campers. "The wonderful part was having them visit us - for $8 per day the grandchildren were able to play miniature golf, swim in the pool (they had pool toys to borrow) fish (and yes they caught bass), every Saturday they had an organized activity for the kids," shares a grandparent who camped there.
Proximity to emergency supplies: Most campgrounds are within reasonable driving distance of stores. "In the event you forgot anything, there's a walmart and other stores only 15-20 mins away," notes a camper at Atsion Recreation Area, highlighting the convenience factor for families needing last-minute items.
Fire restrictions to note: Some campgrounds have specific rules about fires. "Only weird rule I saw was that fires can only go from 6pm till 7am which was odd but wasn't a deal breaker," mentions a visitor to Brendan Byrne State Forest, information particularly relevant for families planning evening campfires.
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA accommodates larger vehicles but has specific layout characteristics. "The park is clean, quiet, full of families. The staff are friendly and welcoming. It's easy to navigate to the park from the interstate, and big rigs fit easily," advises an RV owner who stayed there.
Hookup availability: Old Cedar Campground provides practical advice about site utilities. "The water hookups are shared every other site(at least in the Fence Loop). I was lucky my 75' hose barely reached the distance needed. Be sure to bring extra hoses," warns an RVer who visited the campground.
Shower facilities for longer stays: Clarksboro KOA offers amenities appreciated by RV campers. "The showers were clean with some nice hot water but very small and difficult to change in. The entire park itself is fairly small as well. The staff is excellent, very friendly and helpful," mentions a Class C RV owner during their first trip with a new vehicle.
Access road considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging approach roads. "The road into the campground is about 1 mile of loose sand. It can be accessed by a standard vehicle... Sites are suitable for tents or small campers. The unpaved road into the site is narrow and tree lined. A larger RV would not fit," notes a visitor to Batona Campground who provides important access information.
