Pet-friendly campgrounds near Dorothy, New Jersey offer diverse camping experiences in the Pine Barrens region. Located at approximately 60 feet above sea level, this area experiences mild spring and fall seasons with hot, humid summers where temperatures regularly exceed 90°F. Summer nights remain warm, with evening temperatures rarely dropping below 70°F during peak camping months.
What to do
Kayak excursions: At Winding River Campground, campers have direct river access with transportation services. "Awesome place to camp to hit the river. Staff is good. Sites are nice. Always a plus when you can bring your golfcart," notes Arnold M.
Nature trails: The forested areas surrounding Belleplain State Forest offer hiking options ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. "We have walked through the site areas and they seem to be a nice size but not offering too much privacy. We are usually there in the off season so not sure how crazy it gets in the warmer months with the lake being there," shares Maggie H.
Swimming lakes: Many campgrounds feature swimming areas perfect for cooling off. "Lake Nummy" at Belleplain State Forest provides natural swimming opportunities. "Very nice campground tucked away in southern NJ. Clean facilities. Plenty of space for our tent. lake for swimming and you can rent boats. nice hiking trails and playground," mentions April E.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Spacious Skies Country Oaks offers well-maintained campsites with concrete patios. "Our site(#15) was a pull-thru with 50-amp electric, water, sewer, and cable. The hook-ups were all well-maintained and worked fine. The site included a concrete patio, picnic table, and fire ring," reports Matt S.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses and amenities are well-maintained at most campgrounds in the area. At Parvin State Park, "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," notes Frank J., highlighting both positives and challenges.
Activities for kids: Family-oriented entertainment is common at area campgrounds. "Nice campground, pool is very nice only thing i wished they had was a fishing lake but theres lakes in the area. Place is clean and staff is nice," shares Arnold M. about Spacious Skies Country Oaks.
What you should know
Site conditions: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain and specific site challenges. At Mays Landing Resort, "Site are very unleveled so the staff switched us to a pull thru space that was a tad bit more level but still very unleveled. The campground gave more of a Mobil home park feel and the park itself was a bit dated," reports Daniel C.
Insect preparation: The Pine Barrens area is known for mosquitoes, particularly in summer months. "Bring bug spray!!" advises Trisha P. about Parvin State Park, which features "lake with water sports, hiking trails that are dog friendly, plenty of campsites."
Water quality issues: Some campgrounds have water with high mineral content. At Parvin State Park, "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," notes Frank J.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Hospitality Creek Campground provides multiple water recreation facilities. "This Campground has 2 pool and swimming lake. waterfront sites ate my favorite as you can bring your own kayaks. a nice 2 mile trail brings you around the Campground. in season tons of hourly activities for the kids," shares Denise P.
Playground amenities: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. "Great swimming pool. Lots of activities planned for kids over weekends. Hay ride etc," mentions Chris W. about Spacious Skies Country Oaks.
Off-season visits: Consider camping during shoulder seasons for fewer crowds. "We are usually there in the off season so not sure how crazy it gets in the warmer months with the lake being there," notes Maggie H. about Belleplain State Forest.
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Larger rigs require careful planning in this region. 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. No hook ups but there are potable water faucets and a dump station. 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," advises Cynthia.
Full hookup availability: Not all campgrounds offer complete services. "The sites are spacious with full hookups that easily accommodate larger RVs, making it an ideal spot for both short and extended stays," explains Cristina R. about Spacious Skies Country Oaks.
Navigation challenges: Several campgrounds have narrow access roads. "The roads and turns were tight for our 36' motorhome, but manageable," reports Matt S. about Hospitality Creek Campground.
Legend
