Best Tent Camping near Egg Harbor City, NJ
Wharton State Forest offers multiple tent camping options near Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, with several established primitive sites scattered throughout the Pine Barrens ecosystem. Batona Campground provides tent sites directly accessible from the 50-mile Batona Trail, while Goshen Pond and Mullica River campgrounds offer more secluded tent camping experiences. Bodine Field and Hawkins Bridge campgrounds provide additional tent camping locations within the forest, each with slightly different terrain and access points. These established campgrounds typically operate from April 1 to October 31, with most requiring advance reservations.
Most tent sites in Wharton State Forest feature sandy, even ground typical of the Pine Barrens, making for comfortable sleeping surfaces without the need for extensive site preparation. The campgrounds generally provide basic amenities including fire rings at individual sites, though picnic tables are limited. Access varies significantly between locations, with some sites requiring walk-in or boat-in access only. According to one visitor, "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." Potable water is available at some campgrounds through hand pumps, while others have no drinking water. Most locations offer vault toilets or outhouses rather than modern restroom facilities.
The tent camping experience in this region is characterized by the unique Pine Barrens ecosystem, with nutrient-poor sandy soil supporting primarily pine trees. A camper wrote that "the ground is soft and comfortable to sleep on (NOT rocky at all, like almost weird how few rocks there are)." Walk-in tent sites at Goshen Pond provide additional privacy compared to drive-in options, though site boundaries throughout the forest are generally well-marked. During peak season, particularly summer weekends, campgrounds can become crowded and noisy. Many campers report wildlife sightings, including bears, so proper food storage is essential. Several backcountry tent sites like Lower Forge require a multi-mile hike to access, making them ideal for backpackers seeking a more remote experience away from developed areas.