Primitive campsites near Clayton, New Jersey offer accessible camping options within a 30-mile radius of town. The southern New Jersey region features flat terrain with sandy soil and pine forests, creating a unique woodland camping environment. Temperatures range from 30-90°F depending on season, with summer being the most popular time for glamping in Clayton, New Jersey due to extended daylight hours and warmer nights.
What to do
River floating: 2+ hour adventures: At Wading Pines Camping Resort, campers can enjoy tubing on the Wading River directly from the campground. "Have someone drop you off at Hawkins Bridge and float down to the campground. A little over 2 hour ride," shares Stacy D., who appreciated this natural water activity.
Historical exploration: Batsto Village: Old Cedar Campground provides a convenient base for day trips to historical sites. "Batsto is a 15 minute drive. Hikes start either there or you can access from Atsion as well," notes Steve, highlighting the area's historical attractions that date back to Revolutionary times.
Lake activities: swimming and boating: Atsion Family Camp offers access to Atsion Lake with swimming and boating options. "While camping at Atsion family campground, you have free access to the recreation center (the beach and some trails)," explains Alexa L., who regularly books waterfront site #8 for "an amazing view of the lake."
Wildlife viewing: Pine Barrens ecology: The region's pine forests create unique habitats for viewing local wildlife. "We enjoyed how private it was! We were surrounded by other campers but had our own space in the woods," shares Olga G., highlighting the natural setting that attracts campers to this ecosystem.
What campers like
Proximity to Philadelphia: day trip options: Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA serves as a convenient base for Philadelphia tourism. "We stayed here for 3 nights while visiting family In Philadelphia. It is a 20 minute ride into Philly and Uber was quick and responsive," explains a reviewer who appreciated the easy urban access.
Waterfront camping: lake views: Tent campers seeking waterfront sites have several options around Clayton. "I had a waterfront site, although you can't really see the water from the site itself. Two paths led down to the lake, about 20 feet," notes Steve about Atsion Recreation Area, appreciating the lakeside location despite limited views from the actual campsite.
Spacious sites: room for multiple setups: Parvin State Park Campground offers campsites with ample room. "Site was level and easy in and out. Large site off the main road to other sites. Nice hiking trails. Staff very nice," says Frank J., who stayed in a travel trailer at Site #8.
Clean facilities: regularly maintained: Lums Pond State Park maintains exceptionally clean facilities. "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," explains Mark, highlighting the importance of well-maintained restrooms for family camping trips.
What you should know
Water quality varies by campground: Several campgrounds have issues with water quality. At Mays Landing Resort, Frank J. noted: "Bathrooms were clean but most of the faucets on the sinks were broken. The water has a very high iron content. I couldn't even use it for tooth brushing."
Seasonal closures: check availability: Many campgrounds near Clayton close during winter months. "This does close for winter and reopens in April but call park for exact closure dates because they do change," advises a Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA reviewer planning off-season stays.
Site selection matters: Research specific site numbers before booking. At Atsion Family Campground, Brianna P. recommends: "Campsite G014 was awesome! It was a great location, closest site to the water with beautiful views. Super convenient if you're a Kayaker, you can launch right off that spot."
Cell service limitations: Mobile connectivity is unreliable in many wooded areas. Anne H. observed at Belleplain State Forest: "Virtually NO cell service with AT&T, TMobile or Verizon. AT&T was the better of the 3. Our Winegard/Gateway give us no internet which we normally get."
Tips for camping with families
Kids activities: scheduled programming: Jellystone Park South Jersey offers organized recreation for children. "The most unique aspect we found was the cow pasture. It was a lot of fun watching the cows eating and interacting," shares Matt S. about one unexpected entertainment source that children enjoyed at a nearby campground.
Playground proximity: consider site location: When glamping with children near Clayton, New Jersey, playground access can be important. Craig W. notes: "My grandchildren loved visiting us, pool was clean - they had a few items that they could borrow - fishing was great - playground was adequate. Mini golf was fun for all."
Fishing opportunities: catch-and-release: Old Cedar Campground offers fishing options suitable for children. "Nice pool, good fishing, staff is great," says Arnold M., who considers this campground his "home base" for family outings that combine water activities with fishing.
Swimming options: pool versus lake: Family-friendly swimming varies by location. "The pool and splash pad were great but you needed to be at least 42 inches to go on the slide or bounce house," notes Nicole S., highlighting height restrictions parents should consider when planning water activities with small children.
Tips from RVers
Dump station challenges: Several campgrounds have limited dump facilities. Anne H. warns about Belleplain State Forest: "The worst was the dump station. It is just a little hole on the side of the road and the ONLY dump station for the 3 campgrounds! It was very unlevel and not easy to fully dump our tanks."
Site levelness concerns: Many RV sites require significant leveling. At Lums Pond State Park Campground, Mark appreciated that "The site was fairly level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back. That was a bonus," as level sites are relatively rare in the region.
Hookup placement issues: Check hookup configurations before arrival. Old Cedar Campground has unusual water connections: "The water hookups are shared every other site. I was lucky my 75' hose barely reached the distance needed. Be sure to bring extra hoses," advises Matt S., helping other RVers prepare appropriately.
Access road conditions: Interior roads at many campgrounds pose challenges for larger rigs. Cynthia observed at Parvin State Park: "Very narrow roads to sites, so not big rig friendly there but most sites are quite large. No gravel or pads on sites, just bare ground."
