Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area provides equestrian camping opportunities about 40 miles from Deptford, New Jersey. The area sits at an elevation of approximately 300 feet above sea level in the Piedmont region, with mixed hardwood forests and gently rolling terrain. Camping areas remain relatively quiet during weekdays in late summer with temperatures typically ranging from 60-85°F.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: The 5,600-acre Fair Hill area connects to extensive bridle paths with varied terrain including wooded sections and open fields.
Kayaking on Hopewell Lake: French Creek State Park offers water recreation options. "We spent Saturday afternoon fishing but not catching anything at Scott's Run. It's a beautiful location and it was still a fun way to spend the day with the kids away from the site," notes Ellen C.
Hiking on marked trails: Brendan Byrne State Forest offers extensive trail networks through pine forest terrain. "There are probably hundreds of miles of trails through the woods and bogs to explore. Can't tell you how much I love it. Could spend a whole vacation just with these trails and never leave this state park," shares Benjamin K.
Playground facilities: Multiple parks offer playground access for families. "The children really enjoyed the playground (which was excellent, by my standards)," reports one visitor about park facilities near Deptford.
What campers like
Spacious, level sites: Lums Pond State Park earns praise for its well-designed campsites. "The sites are large and well spaced. Many are in full sun. The bathroom facilities and laundry are clean and modern. There are separate, individual shower rooms," notes Adam and Suzanne B.
Privacy between sites: Many campsites in the region offer separation from neighbors. "The campsites are not right on top of one another. There is a lot of shade and the campground is laid out well," reports a camper at French Creek State Park.
Clean facilities: Restroom cleanliness varies by campground but tends to be adequate. "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," writes Mark about facilities at Lums Pond.
Natural surroundings: The pine forests create a distinctive camping environment. "It's in the great NJ pine barrens. This place is fantastic! The smells, the sounds, the wildlife," explains a camper at Brendan Byrne State Forest.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially for weekends. "Book early because it fills up fast!" advises Ellen B.
Limited hookups at some sites: Hibernia County Park and other facilities have primitive options. "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV. If you are coming in an RV, you should come with a full water tank," cautions Jennifer S.
Pet restrictions: Policies vary by campground, with some prohibiting pets entirely. Fair Hill does not allow pets in camping areas, unlike many other regional facilities.
Seasonal considerations: Some campgrounds operate with limited schedules. "This campground is only open on the weekends, in season," notes a visitor about Hibernia County Park.
Fire regulations: Campfire rules can be specific. "Only weird rule I saw was that fires can only go from 6pm till 7am which was odd but wasn't a deal breaker," reports Dorian P.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Blackbird State Forest offers family-friendly amenities. "My family had a great time here. The camp sites are spaced out a good amount so each site has good privacy. There are multiple port a potties here but some sites are a bit far from them," reports a camper.
Fishing opportunities: Several lakes cater to young anglers. "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," notes Anna about Hibernia County Park.
Bathroom considerations: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. "Tent campers keep your shoes handy, it's a hike. Meanwhile Mr and Mrs 12 slideout supernova with 5 bathrooms and a washer/dryer get the closest spot to a quick potty/shower break," advises al K. about Lums Pond.
Hiking difficulty levels: Trail systems offer options for different abilities. "It was a long, but easy hike," reports one camper about trail conditions suitable for families.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: French Creek State Park accommodates larger vehicles in certain areas. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," notes Jen R.
Leveling requirements: Terrain affects setup difficulty. "The site was fairly level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back. That was a bonus," shares Mark about their camping experience.
Hookup availability: Electric, water and sewer connections vary between campgrounds. "Sites are full hook up with about 5 tent sites. All are pretty much level. Close to shopping if needed," explains Sandy E.
Dump station access: Some campgrounds lack this facility. "There is NO DUMP STATION. There are a few nearby campgrounds that will let you dump for a fee, otherwise, you'll have to look for a truck stop on the way home," warns Jennifer S.
