Brendan Byrne State Forest offers equestrian camping in the Pine Barrens region near Egg Harbor City, New Jersey. The forest sits on sandy, acidic soil characteristic of the unique Pine Barrens ecosystem with elevations ranging between 80-100 feet above sea level. Campers should be prepared for seasonal temperature swings typical of the Mid-Atlantic region, with summer highs frequently reaching 90°F and high humidity levels that can affect both riders and horses.
What to do
Explore extensive trail networks: Hikers at Brendan Byrne State Forest can access multiple interconnected sand trails through the Pine Barrens. "Lots of good hiking trails, most the sites have pretty decent privacy from the other ones," notes camper Dan M. The relatively flat terrain makes these trails accessible for novice hikers.
Visit Pakim Pond for fishing: Located within the forest, this small pond offers fishing opportunities and natural scenery. One visitor notes, "Great place for a weekend getaway. Very well maintained campsites and facilities," sharing their experience at Brendan Byrne State Forest.
Enjoy water activities: Turkey Swamp Park provides multiple water-based recreation options. "Turkey Swamp is a great spot, a lot of different things to do. Fishing, Tent Camp, Van Camping, Open Field, BBQ, Kayaking, Canoeing. The list goes on," explains Tylen L. The park maintains boat rentals during summer months.
Try archery: Turkey Swamp Park maintains an archery range for visitors. Dan W. reports, "Plenty to do over a 2 night stay. Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking. Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the maintenance of Allaire State Park facilities. "Clean bathrooms. Sites are a little too close together. Noisy with highway traffic. Well maintained though," reports Justin S., highlighting both positives and limitations.
Campsite spacing: Many appreciate the generous site sizing at Turkey Swamp Park. Katheryn N. explains, "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest. There are tent and RV sites and you are allowed to have a tent on the site with an RV at no extra charge."
Forest isolation: The remote setting of Brendan Byrne State Forest creates a true wilderness feel. "It's far away from traffic noise. You can't here any cars or any other noise from civilization at all. It's at least 10 miles away from anything more than a single house in the woods. 5 miles away from the main road," explains Benjamin K.
Winter camping opportunities: Several parks offer year-round access. "We found this campground one night when we were in NJ. It ended up snowing that night. The bathrooms were clean and warm. There is a lot to do in the area," shares Lisa S. about her experience at Allaire State Park.
What you should know
Tick awareness: Multiple campers mention tick exposure as a concern in these forests. At Turkey Swamp Park, one camper warns: "I was so excited when we got here. The sites are spacious and it's really beautiful. But by the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2."
Campfire restrictions: Brendan Byrne State Forest enforces specific fire regulations. "Only weird rule I saw was that fires can only go from 6pm till 7am which was odd but wasn't a deal breaker," notes Dorian P. This timing restriction affects evening activities planning.
Site boundary clarity: Some campers mention confusion regarding site limits. Jesse G. explains: "The rules of the campsites are ambiguous on the website and when we first arrived were unaware that if using an RV in a tent site you are not allowed to add another tent to the site. There is a two tent limit per site despite the site allowing up to 6 people."
Seasonal considerations: Turkey Swamp Park operates seasonally, typically from April 1 to November 15, while Brendan Byrne State Forest and other area campgrounds remain open year-round, allowing for winter camping experiences.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Turkey Swamp Park features multiple play areas for children. "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office," notes Lee D., making this location suitable for families with young children.
Bug management: Parents should prepare for insects, especially with children. JAEWOOK P. shares a positive experience: "We went camping with our 2- and 3-year-old kids. We were worried about bugs, but we didn't even use mosquito repellent and didn't get a single bite! The campground was super clean too."
Bathroom proximity: When camping with small children, bathroom access becomes important. At Turkey Swamp Park, one camper mentions, "Centralized playground for the kids with bathrooms and showers next door," highlighting the convenient layout.
Supply access: Having forgotten items available nearby helps with family camping. Dorian P. notes about Brendan Byrne State Forest: "There is a good amount of trails and a wawa down the street if you forgot anything for your trip," referencing the convenience store about 5 minutes from the entrance.
Tips from RVers
Water connection requirements: RV sites at Turkey Swamp Park require specific equipment. "Nice, remote, private. Some sites unlevel. Bring a LONG water hose," advises Shawn, highlighting a practical need many might overlook.
Hookup availability: For RVers seeking horse campgrounds near Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, hookup options vary by location. "Campsites are roomy with electric and water hookups. They don't have primitive campsites so your stuck paying the higher rate even though you don't need the hookups," explains Dan W. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Road surface considerations: Access roads in some campgrounds may present challenges. "As soon as you turn off the main road to the park, all roads are dirt, which was a bit surprising. They were well-maintained and in dry weather, not a problem, but probably not if it was rainy," notes Lee D. describing Turkey Swamp Park.
Site leveling needs: Several equestrian camping areas and RV sites near Egg Harbor City have leveling challenges. "Sites in Loops B-E all have pull-thru driveways. Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy," reports Lee D., providing useful information for larger vehicles.
