M
Michael M.
Scout
ScoutTurkey Swamp Park
Water/power at the campsite, and and centrally located dump station. Lots of trees and nice separation of sites
Tent Camping near Collingswood, NJ
1 campground with availability this weekend
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Tent campgrounds near Collingswood, New Jersey include several options within 25-30 miles of the city, ranging from walk-in primitive tent campsites in Wharton State Forest to group tent camping areas across the border in Pennsylvania. Wharton State Forest offers multiple tent-specific campgrounds, including Goshen Pond and Mullica River, both operating seasonally from April through October. Ridley Creek State Park and Fort Washington State Park, both in nearby Pennsylvania, provide group camping areas suitable for tent campers, though individual tent sites are limited.
Most primitive tent sites in the region require walk-in access with minimal amenities. Goshen Pond in Wharton State Forest features secluded tent sites that campers must reach on foot, with no electric hookups or shower facilities. Mullica River campground offers a more remote experience accessible by boat, hiking trail, or walking paths. Vault toilets are typically available at established campgrounds, but drinking water access varies significantly between locations. A camper noted that "sites were private and secluded" at Goshen Pond, highlighting the appeal for those seeking a more isolated tent camping experience away from developed areas.
The pine forests of Wharton State Forest provide natural shade for tent campsites during summer months. Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for exploring extensive trail networks, including the Batona Trail which connects multiple camping areas. According to one visitor, campers should "check often for chiggers and ticks" when tent camping in Wharton State Forest, especially during warmer months. Fort Washington State Park offers tent sites with historical significance, located along Washington's Revolutionary War route to Valley Forge. While close to Philadelphia, these tent-only sites maintain a natural setting with sufficient tree cover. Fire regulations vary seasonally across all locations, with most campgrounds permitting fires in designated rings when conditions allow.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Collingswood (25)
1. Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park
"Terrific space for exploring"
"well marked trails great for hiking. pet friendly! we love walking here with our dog. there are even a few great spots to get a small creek swim in! It also has a greag picnic area with grills."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $57 / night
2. Fort Washington State Park Campground
"I’m following up on my review from over a year ago with new photos, updated weathered campers’ tales and a quick snapshot of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS: HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Rustic group camping nestled in nearly"
"The give you firewood—-if you bring your own, leave with any left over."
2 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $28 - $72 / night
3. Alverthorpe Private Park
"year ago with some refreshed insight, additional photos and, well, because once wasn’t enough, here’s a quick reel of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS: HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Hidden slice of suburban woodland tucked"
Check Availabilityfrom $1 - $100 / night
4. Tinicum Island
5. Goshen Pond — Wharton State Forest
"I like campgrounds which have you park off and walk in to your site. There is more foot traffic, but you don't hear as many cars coming and going and driving past your site all the time."
"The boyfriend and I stayed for a weekend at one of the primitive tent sites. Our site was private and secluded. We had a great time."
6. Batona — Wharton State Forest
"Bears frequent this campground so be bear aware and practice proper food storage. "
"The Batona Campground is in the northern area of the Wharton State Forest and is a bit removed from most trails and other campgrounds in the park."
7. Washington Crossing State Park - TEMP CLOSED FOR 2024
"The Pennsylvania side is all about historic buildings, museums and picnic spots, while the New Jersey side (Washington Crossing State Park) offers organized group tent camping."
"The areas for that seemed well groomed, bathrooms were acceptable, and there was plenty of space. Some nice trees not too close allowed for good shade, without feeling like in a forest."
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $100 / night
8. Evansburg State Park Campground
"Lots of tree cover running along a small running creek"
"You need a license to fish, and if you plan on catching Trout you need the Trout endorsement on the fishing licence, currently$9.90.The restroom facilities we're clean."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $43 / night
9. Mullica River — Wharton State Forest
"This campground is hike-in or boat-in only, no car access. We camped here for one night on an overnight loop in Wharton State Forest. Wild blueberries abound during summer months!"
"Enjoyed a site away from the crowds. Quiet. Peaceful. Place is huge with many campsites to choose from. Checking in is slow so come early."
10. Lower Forge Camp
"Looking for a place to escape without having to drive out of your way to get to? Lower forge is the place."
Check Availabilityfrom $5 / night
Drive Time
- 13 min from Philadelphia, PA
- 36 min from Trenton, NJ
- 38 min from Vineland, NJ
- 50 min from Atlantic City, NJ
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Collingswood, NJ
32 Photos of 25 Collingswood Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Goshen Pond — Wharton State ForestA
Blueberry Morning
Mullica River — Wharton State ForestR
Lower Forge Camp
Batona — Wharton State ForestM
Evansburg State Park Campground
Hawkins Bridge — Wharton State Forest
Bodine Field — Wharton State Forest
Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park
Tip Tam Camping Resort
Blackbird State Forest Campground
Rolling Hills RetreatsA
Tent Camping Reviews near Collingswood, NJ
726 Reviews of 25 Collingswood Campgrounds
Stuart K.
LegendWashington Crossing State Park - TEMP CLOSED FOR 2024
Revolutionary History near Delaware River
Nestled along the picturesque Delaware River in beautiful Bucks County, Washington Crossing Historic Park is one of those destinations where American history practically jumps out from behind every tree. This sprawling, beautifully preserved historic park commemorates George Washington's daring Christmas night crossing of the Delaware in 1776, with charming colonial buildings, expansive green spaces, shaded walking paths and lovely riverfront scenery. Divided into Upper and Lower sections, the park offers plenty to explore, from historic homesteads and interpretive exhibits to scenic picnic areas and the impressive Bowman's Hill Tower. Unfortunately, while the park delivers a wonderful outdoor experience, traditional overnight camping isn't part of the equation unless your a Boy Scout or accompanying one of their troops.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spectacular Revolutionary War history at the very site of Washington's legendary Delaware River crossing; (2) Beautifully maintained grounds featuring mature trees, open lawns and scenic riverfront views; (3) Fascinating colonial-era buildings, historic demonstrations and educational exhibits that bring America's founding history to life; (4) Wonderful recreational opportunities, including walking, cycling, fishing, kayaking and picnicking; and (5) Convenient proximity to charming New Hope, the Delaware Canal towpath and Bowman's Hill Tower, offering plenty of opportunities to extend your adventure.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) No conventional public tent or RV camping, with overnight group camping restricted to organized Scout groups by prior arrangement; (2) No dedicated RV campsites, electrical hookups, water connections or dump station; (3) Park grounds generally close at sunset, limiting opportunities to linger into the evening; (4) Some historic buildings and attractions require admission fees or operate on limited schedules; and (5) Periodic restoration projects and special events can restrict access to certain areas, while the historic Washington Crossing Bridge's three-ton weight limit makes it unsuitable for larger RVs.
Happy Camping!
Andrea B.
TravelerColonial Meadows Family Campground
Great park
Many long term seasonal sites. Good community. Large shower house good and clean . Pool. Game room. Off leash dog park. Wooded/shady sites or no shade sunny sites. Lots of area to walk or play. Large field, basketball couture, frisky golf, play area and laundry room. We were here all summer (June-october). Lots to do in the area. Good food nearby. Ocean city 10 minutes away.
- bbob J.
GuideAtsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest
Pine Barrens New Jersey
This campground is part of the Wharton State Forest and has several campgrounds in the area. Great wooded sites right on a lake. Pretty good separation between sites with good tree separation between sites. Some road noise not overly affecting site.
- DDiane M.Scout
Brendan Byrne State Forest
Just ok
Restrooms are filthy with mold and mildew.
Water puddled on the restroom floor.really gross.
Cabin was mostly clean. The windows were full of dirt and bugs on the tracks.mattresses were terrible.The fireplace was nice. Kitchen was clean.
Can t wait to move on to a cleaner park.
Thomas B.
RangerTohickon Family Campground
Simple, peaceful FHU
We stayed just a couple nights here on our way north. The camp host was helpful before our stay and during check-in. Our site was pretty isolated from the others, so it was very quiet (no complaints here). There is a decent mix of sunny sites by the river and shady sites under the trees. The weather was perfect mid September. There wasn't anything spectacular for me, but it was a good experience and it was a nice taste of fall PA scenery. Beware that the roads are tight for a big rig. Side note, it did seem like most campers lived there.
- Adeline M.Guide
Brendan Byrne State Forest
Beautiful campground, loud campers
Beautiful campground but made the mistake of going on a holiday weekend, the campgrounds next to us were screaming and blasting music all day and throughout the night so we ended up leaving early. A beautiful campground when there aren’t noisy capers ruining it.
Kelvin R.ScoutTohickon Valley County Park
First time camping
As far as experience it was good. The main issue was the campsite where we were was uneven and caused many of the sleeping arrangements that we had to be not level. This seems to be a specific issue to the group campsite number two as when we went inwards it seemed like everything else was much better.
Mary S.ScoutLums Pond State Park Campground
Lums Pond campground
First time at this campground really like it a lot will be returning. The bathrooms are always clean. The grounds are always kept up. Just a really nice place to stay. Most of the sites have some kind of shade.
Guide to Collingswood
Tent camping near Collingswood, New Jersey provides year-round options with varying seasonal conditions. Winter camping (December-February) presents average temperatures between 25-40°F, while summer months can reach 85-95°F with high humidity. The sandy soil composition in Wharton State Forest campgrounds allows for quick drainage after rain, though this can make tent stake placement challenging during dry periods.
What to do
Trail hiking: Ridley Creek State Park offers well-marked paths suitable for all skill levels. According to Andrea R., "Easy hike. We found a lot of really unique sites around the park. Will keep going back." The park features over 12 miles of hiking trails with varying terrain.
Kayaking: Tinicum Island provides boat-in primitive camping with direct river access. Bobby S. notes, "A great place to stay if you have a watercraft." The island location requires paddling approximately 1.5 miles from the nearest launch point, creating a secluded experience.
Bird watching: Fort Washington State Park features a dedicated hawk watching platform. Stuart K. explains the park "offers over 3.5 miles of trails leading to Hawk Watch observation decks, which birders will marvel at." Fall migration season (September-November) offers the best viewing opportunities with morning hours providing optimal sightings.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Goshen Pond — Wharton State Forest offers secluded tent locations. Anna D. observed, "Our site was very quiet, but a lot of the sites are close together without any barriers, so if the campground got crowded it wouldn't be very private." Weekday camping typically ensures more isolation.
Quick water access: Batona — Wharton State Forest connects directly to creek areas. One camper mentioned, "The back of the campground backs up to a beautiful creek/swamp, and the Batona trail runs through the campground." The site locations near water vary from 20-100 feet depending on site selection.
Historical significance: Washington Crossing State Park offers camping with Revolutionary War context. Wayne S. noted, "The camp ground is secluded and right on the Delaware River. Very enjoyable." The camping area sits within 500 yards of where Washington crossed in 1776.
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most primitive tent sites lack modern amenities. At Alverthorpe Private Park, Les R. found, "Restricted to only residents. Looks nice, if you can actually stay here." Always check residency requirements when booking.
Seasonal restrictions: Most tent camping areas operate April through October only. A visitor to Mullica River campground stated, "The campground is open, it was closed because of covid in 2020." Always verify current operational status before planning trips.
Wildlife awareness: Lower Forge Camp requires preparation for local fauna. James R. calls it "great for beginners who you're trying to break into backpacking." Check for ticks frequently, especially in warmer months when they're most active.
Tips for camping with families
Easy access sites: Evansburg State Park offers family-friendly camping options. Gary O. mentions, "Lots of tree cover running along a small running creek." However, note that "having to haul gear by foot to the campsite" can be challenging with young children.
Educational opportunities: Washington Crossing State Park provides historical learning experiences. Doreen C. shares, "It is significant historically and it is enjoyable for the entire family." The visitor center offers kid-friendly exhibits about the Revolutionary War.
Beginner-friendly campgrounds: Ridley Creek State Park works well for first-time campers. David K. confirms, "This place is great for first time campers... they have a tone of trails to hike on." Their group camping area accommodates families of various sizes.
Tips from RVers
Access limitations: Most tent-focused campgrounds near Collingswood restrict larger vehicles. At Batona Campground, meghan G. noted, "The unpaved road into the site is narrow and tree lined. A larger RV would not fit." Check vehicle restrictions before booking.
Site surface conditions: Sandy soil at Wharton State Forest impacts RV parking. Regarding Batona, one camper warned, "The camp road was kinda hard to get around direction wise you couldn't tell what was a road and what was a campsite." Arrive during daylight hours for easier navigation.
Alternative options: For RVers seeking hookups, Evansburg State Park provides better amenities. Andrew C. mentions many visitors "spent countless hours hiking and fishing in Evansburg" as day visitors rather than overnight campers, which works well for those parking RVs at developed campgrounds and exploring natural areas separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Collingswood, NJ?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Collingswood, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Collingswood, NJ is Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 10 reviews.
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tent camping near
Collingswood, NJ?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Collingswood, NJ?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 tent camping locations near Collingswood, NJ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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