The Delaware River valley surrounding Deptford, New Jersey sits at an average elevation of 35-40 feet above sea level with a humid subtropical climate. The area features a mix of coastal plain woodlands and wetlands, creating diverse habitats for camping. Seasonal temperature fluctuations are significant, with summer highs regularly reaching 85-90°F and winter overnight lows dropping below freezing, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
What to do
River activities: kayaking and tubing: At Wading Pines Camping Resort, the Wading River provides natural recreation. According to Layne, "You can tube down the river from one end of camp to the other." For a longer adventure, campers recommend being dropped at Hawkins Bridge for a "little over 2 hour ride" floating back to camp.
Fishing: multiple species and locations: Brendan Byrne State Forest offers excellent fishing opportunities in a quiet forest setting. The French Creek State Park lakes contain "northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish." Ice fishing is permitted when conditions allow and park staff monitor ice thickness for safety.
Hiking: varied terrain and distances: Lums Pond State Park features a 7-mile hiking trail and an 8-mile multi-purpose trail that circles the pond. One visitor noted the trails are "well marked, and the day we took a hike, we ended up on the equestrian trail that runs all the way around the pond. It was a long, but easy hike."
Go Ape zipline course: For adventure seekers, Lums Pond offers the Go Ape treetop adventure course. This aerial obstacle course includes ziplines overlooking the pond. As Leah H. mentions when listing activities, "Bike trails, Going Ape, kayaking and peaceful."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At French Creek State Park Campground, campers appreciate the natural separation between sites. One reviewer noted, "The campsites are not right on top of one another. There is a lot of shade and the campground is laid out well." Another mentioned "there is a lot of shade and brush in between most sites you can't even really see your neighbors."
Well-designed bathrooms: Campers consistently praise Lums Pond's modern facilities. Mark shared, "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease." The campground features individual shower rooms and clean laundry facilities.
Large, level sites: Old Cedar Campground offers spacious camping spots. Matt S. described his experience: "The all-grass site just fit our 37' motor home. This was our first stay at this campground—and we're glad we went. The most unique aspect we found was the cow pasture. It was a lot of fun watching the cows eating and interacting."
Seasonal activities: Scheduled activities keep campers entertained throughout the camping season. Nicole S. experienced this firsthand at Jellystone Park South Jersey: "We stayed fathers day weekend and they had a breakfast, games and crafts geared towards it. The pool and splash park were great but you needed to be at least 42 inches to go on the slide or bounce house."
What you should know
Water quality varies: Some campgrounds have water issues to be aware of. Frank J. noted at Parvin State Park Campground: "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. The toilets were clean but had the orange staining from the iron in the water."
Campground noise levels: Atmosphere varies widely between locations. Regarding Wading Pines, Jim F. observed, "their live music (a terrible cover band) blasts every weekend until midnight into the park." Meanwhile, Jorah at Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA had a different experience: "I arrived on a Tuesday a few days after they closed the pool, and by Wednesday I had the whole row of tent sites to myself."
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak season. Ellen B. advises about Lums Pond: "Book early because it fills up fast!" Sites often open for reservation 6-12 months in advance, with holiday weekends booking particularly quickly.
Wildlife precautions: Tick awareness is essential when camping in this region. Megan S. cautioned while at Brendan Byrne State Forest: "Ticks were very active on this visit be sure to remember your bug spray and tuck your pants in your socks!"
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: pools and playgrounds: Jellystone Park South Jersey excels at family entertainment. Nicholas V. shared, "Water area is great, splash pad is very fun so is the large blow up slide and pool area." The campground offers organized weekend activities specifically designed for children.
Site selection for playground access: When choosing a site at French Creek, consider proximity to play areas. One camper explained, "Site is great for people with families as there was a playground within 50 feet so it is a bit louder and busier." This convenience allows parents to supervise from their campsite.
Age-appropriate activities: Different campgrounds cater to various age groups. At Old Cedar Campground, Craig W. noted, "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."
Family-size bathroom facilities: Brendan Byrne State Forest provides well-maintained bathroom facilities important for families. A visitor observed, "1 bathroom a short walk from the sites," while another mentioned "Good bathrooms/showers," making family stays more comfortable.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Site design varies between campgrounds. At Atsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest, an RVer shared insight on setup challenges: "The XL is perfect for getting down to the corner of your bagged meals, scraping the sides of your bowl without the worry of scratching due to the rubber edges which also helps to conform to any hand."
Full hookup availability: Some parks offer complete services while others are more basic. Matt S. found Lums Pond State Park Campground ideal: "Beautiful park setting with fantastic site— spacious, level, good-working hookups, and paved." The campground provides full hookup sites with 50-amp service.
Site surfaces and levelness: Surface types matter for RVs. At French Creek State Park, "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze." Cynthia at Parvin State Park noted different conditions: "No gravel or pads on sites, just bare ground. No hook ups but there are potable water faucets and a dump station."
Maneuverability and size limits: Navigating campground roads requires careful planning. Cynthia warned, "Very narrow roads to sites, so not big rig friendly there but most sites are quite large. My rig is 31 ft class C and it was fine for me but a larger rig may have a tough time maneuvering the narrow roads."
