Camping in Clayton, New Jersey occurs within the Pine Barrens region characterized by sandy soil, pine forests, and seasonal temperature variations from below freezing in winter to above 90°F in summer. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, with several offering year-round options. The area sits at low elevation ranging from 30-100 feet above sea level with numerous small lakes and creeks throughout the region.
What to do
Lake activities: swimming and boating: At Hospitality Creek Campground, campers enjoy both swimming pools and lake access. "The pools are nice and have on-duty lifeguards all day. We rode our bikes around, enjoyed time on the lake in a rented paddleboat," notes Matt S.
Fishing opportunities: multiple options: Goshen Pond in Wharton State Forest offers direct access to fishing waters. A visitor explains, "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."
Hiking: various trail options: Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA offers woodland trails accessible from the campground. As one visitor describes: "If you look around the campground edges or follow the walking trail into the woods, you will find wonderful native plants like blueberry, viburnum, clethra, and meadow beauty."
What campers like
Privacy options: wooded sites: Atsion Family Camp provides secluded camping experiences. "While we were surrounded by other campers, we enjoyed how private it was!" reports Olga G. The campground maintains natural vegetation between sites to enhance seclusion.
Wildlife viewing: natural setting: Parvin State Park Campground offers opportunities to observe local wildlife. One camper noted unusual encounters: "Somebody found a snake in there trailer so watch out for those." The park's woodland setting attracts various native species.
Convenient amenities: delivery options: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Clayton offer enhanced services. At Hospitality Creek, a visitor appreciated that "They'll deliver firewood, ice, and food from the camp store to your site—that's classy."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: summer heat: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F in July and August. KC's Camp Fitness remains "A safe haven located just outside of the city" according to Ashley F., making it a good base camp during extreme weather.
Water quality varies: check before use: Some campgrounds have mineral-heavy water. At Parvin State Park, a camper reported, "The water has a very high iron content. I couldn't even use it for tooth brushing. Most of the showers were out of order."
Reservation requirements: book early for weekends: Most pet-friendly campgrounds in the Clayton area require advance reservations, especially for summer weekends and holiday periods. Sites with shade or lake views book up 2-3 months in advance during peak season.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: scheduled events: Jellystone Park South Jersey (formerly Hospitality Creek) offers organized activities for children. Craig W. shares, "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. There was also activities for the younger kids - making slime."
Swimming options: multiple choices: Many campgrounds offer both pool and natural swimming areas. At Old Cedar Campground, Bob W. found "Pool was beautiful and looked new. Mini golf was decrepit and looked abandoned. Store was nice. Very nice welcome. Lots of kids."
Playground accessibility: check locations: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near Clayton feature playground equipment, but locations vary within each facility. Consider requesting sites near play areas when traveling with younger children to minimize walking distances.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: request shade: At Old Cedar Campground, Matt S. notes, "This row of sites lacked the trees for shade and privacy found at most other sites around the campground." When making reservations, specifically request shaded sites if visiting during summer months.
Hookup considerations: water connections: Water hookups at some campgrounds require special attention. One RVer at Old Cedar Campground advised, "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."
Road conditions: narrow access: Many campgrounds have tight access roads. At Parvin State Park, a camper reported, "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." RVs longer than 32 feet should call ahead to verify accessibility.
Legend
