M
Michael M.
Scout
ScoutTurkey Swamp Park
Water/power at the campsite, and and centrally located dump station. Lots of trees and nice separation of sites
Tent Camping near Elwood, NJ
1 campground with availability next weekend
Search destinations
Add dates
Wharton State Forest offers several tent campgrounds near Elwood, New Jersey, with options ranging from primitive backcountry sites to more accessible walk-in tent areas. The forest contains notable tent camping locations including Batona Campground, Goshen Pond, Mullica River, and Lower Forge Camp, all situated within the unique Pine Barrens ecosystem characterized by sandy soil, pine forests, and tannin-darkened waterways. Most tent sites require reservations through the state forest system, with the camping season typically running from April 1 to October 31.
The ground at tent sites throughout Wharton State Forest is notably soft and sandy, making for comfortable sleeping surfaces with few rocks. Most tent campgrounds feature basic amenities including fire rings with grates, though picnic tables are not standard at all locations. Water access varies significantly between campgrounds - Batona and Hawkins Bridge offer hand pumps for drinking water, while more remote sites like Lower Forge require hikers to filter water from streams. One camper noted that "the ground is soft and comfortable to sleep on (NOT rocky at all, like almost weird how few rocks there are)," which is characteristic of the Pine Barrens ecosystem.
Access methods vary considerably among the tent campgrounds. Goshen Pond and Batona offer walk-in tent sites where vehicles park nearby and campers carry gear a short distance to their sites. More remote options like Mullica River and Lower Forge are accessible only by hiking, boating, or a combination of both, with trails ranging from 5-8 miles. These hike-in tent sites provide greater seclusion but require more planning. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, campers should be aware of potential crowds on weekends, particularly at more accessible campgrounds. Several reviews mention the presence of ticks and chiggers, so appropriate precautions are recommended. The proximity to water features is a highlight for many tent campers, with several sites offering direct access to rivers and ponds for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing opportunities.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Elwood (18)
1. Batona — Wharton State Forest
"Bears frequent this campground so be bear aware and practice proper food storage. "
"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."
2. Bodine Field — Wharton State Forest
"You’re right next to the wading river/creek with that amazing cedar water. As well as a quick drive Harrisville Pond which mine as well be a lake."
"Bodine Field is one of several camping locations within Wharton State Forest. I am writing this review over a year after our stay so forgive me if the details are lacking."
3. Goshen Pond — Wharton State Forest
"I like campgrounds which have you park off and walk in to your site. There is more foot traffic, but you don't hear as many cars coming and going and driving past your site all the time."
"The boyfriend and I stayed for a weekend at one of the primitive tent sites. Our site was private and secluded. We had a great time."
4. Mullica River — Wharton State Forest
"This campground is hike-in or boat-in only, no car access. We camped here for one night on an overnight loop in Wharton State Forest. Wild blueberries abound during summer months!"
"Enjoyed a site away from the crowds. Quiet. Peaceful. Place is huge with many campsites to choose from. Checking in is slow so come early."
5. Abbot Sawmill
"Close to the main roads but feels remote."
6. Buttonwood Hill — Wharton State Forest
"Great location for Questival, would visit again. Easy access and felt very safe and secluded."
7. Lower Forge Camp
"Looking for a place to escape without having to drive out of your way to get to? Lower forge is the place."
Check Availabilityfrom $5 / night
8. Hawkins Bridge — Wharton State Forest
"Wharton State Forest has a few campsites available for primitive camping (my preferred choice). This is a review for HAWKINS BRIDGE."
"This is a primitive campsite near the river. There is water but just compost toilets that are bit few for the size campground."
9. Red Wing Lakes
"Swimming lake catch and release lake sells wood has bath houses, electric, water and sewer hookups. They always have something going on. And a skeet range http://www.redwinglakes.com/lakes.html"
10. Sleepy Hollow Family Campground
Drive Time
- 19 min from Atlantic City, NJ
- 25 min from Vineland, NJ
- 39 min from Philadelphia, PA
- 1 hr from Trenton, NJ
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Elwood, NJ
22 Photos of 18 Elwood Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Elwood, NJ
493 Reviews of 18 Elwood Campgrounds
Andrea B.
TravelerColonial Meadows Family Campground
Great park
Many long term seasonal sites. Good community. Large shower house good and clean . Pool. Game room. Off leash dog park. Wooded/shady sites or no shade sunny sites. Lots of area to walk or play. Large field, basketball couture, frisky golf, play area and laundry room. We were here all summer (June-october). Lots to do in the area. Good food nearby. Ocean city 10 minutes away.
- J
John Y.ScoutOcean View Resort Campground
One of the best campgrounds I have ever stayed in
This is one of the largest, if not the largest, campgrounds in Southern New Jersey. While on the pricier side, everything is top-notch. The roads are all paved, and not gravel (I hate trying to sleep and listening to the sound of stones grating together). The sites are more spacious than most campgrounds, so it doesn't seem so crowded. The bathrooms are all modern and spotless. There are numerous bathrooms which means most sites have one nearby. They do charge a quarter for showers to encourage water conservation and donate the money to conservation causes. The pool is large, as is the lake. Both are well-maintained. The camp store is enormous and is really nice and well-stocked with everything one might need from food to pool and beach stuff to camping supplies and equipment. There is a nice cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. The camp store has a lending library of books and DVDs. There are numerous activities that appear to be well-run, The grounds are shaded with many trees for a great wooded campground feel. The campground is so large that it has an internal shuttle with stations scattered about to help people go between the various important sites such as at the pool, the lake and the store. I found other campers, particularly the seasonals, to be more friendly than other campgrounds at the shore. This requires constant tree care including removing dead trees and branches which they do regularly. The staff is friendly and well-trained. I was in a tent, and when a rare October nor'easter came through, I was offered the opportunity to use a cabin free-of-charge. Fortunately my tent and equipment made it through days of rain and high winds just fine . On my first stay in May, I had to run my dog back to Baltimore towards the end of my trip where he was sadly diagnosed with incurable metastatic cancer. When I returned, I was late and unable to check out by 11, but they allowed me to take as much time as needed to clear the site, as nobody was staying there the next day, which was deeply appreciated - I was an emotional wreck. Oh, and I found the complimentary Wi-Fi to be a great service, and sufficiently fast to allow me to stream ultra-high-definition movies at my site - Most campgrounds charge extra for less-than-good service - a lot more. I find that a big bonus. Overall, I LOVE this campground and highly recommend it.
- bbob J.
GuideAtsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest
Pine Barrens New Jersey
This campground is part of the Wharton State Forest and has several campgrounds in the area. Great wooded sites right on a lake. Pretty good separation between sites with good tree separation between sites. Some road noise not overly affecting site.
- DDiane M.Scout
Brendan Byrne State Forest
Just ok
Restrooms are filthy with mold and mildew.
Water puddled on the restroom floor.really gross.
Cabin was mostly clean. The windows were full of dirt and bugs on the tracks.mattresses were terrible.The fireplace was nice. Kitchen was clean.
Can t wait to move on to a cleaner park.
- AAmanda N.Scout
The Depot Travel Park
Enjoyed my stay
I’ve stayed here multiple times over the past 15 years and I have enjoyed each trip.
Depot Travel Park is a well-maintained family-owned campground. It is also reasonably priced, especially given the location that is within a bicycle ride to the beach, the ocean, and lots of shops and restaurants in Cape May. It is the only campground on the Cape May side of the canal.
Please note that this is not a resort campground and it doesn’t have a pool. There is so much to do in Cape May that is doesn’t need to be a resort.
Since it’s not a resort campground, there are not many golf carts, so most people use their bicycles or cars to get around. That also makes the campground pretty quiet, even during the peak of summer.
The campground sells firewood and propane, but there is no camp store. Again, it doesn’t really need one, since there is a farmers market at the end of the driveway, and a CVS and an ACME supermarket within bicycle riding distance.
If your site doesn’t have a sewer hookup, the dump station is a little awkward to access, but they have a daily honey wagon for a reasonable fee, which is great. If you notify the office the day before you need it and they are usually there in the morning.
They close for the season n October, but they reopen briefly during the Cape May Christmas Parade weekend in December. That’s one thing that I’d like to do soon.
I really like this campground and I am always recommending it to friends.
Adeline M.GuideBrendan Byrne State Forest
Beautiful campground, loud campers
Beautiful campground but made the mistake of going on a holiday weekend, the campgrounds next to us were screaming and blasting music all day and throughout the night so we ended up leaving early. A beautiful campground when there aren’t noisy capers ruining it.
- CCarlos E.Scout
Turkey Swamp Park
Really nice campground
Stayed three nights in a tent and enjoyed it very much. Sites have electrical hookups, shared water connections, large picnic table, and fire ring with adjustable grate. Electrical and water are at the outer edge of each site so you might want an extension cord and/or hose. Bathrooms are clean; showers have separate stalls but they’re clustered together (not the most private). There are hiking and biking trails, a lake, and archery park. Staff are friendly. Office is open through 9pm, and firewood, ice, and bait for fishing are available. Site C3 is in an okay spot; it’s close to the bathroom and laundry room, but also right next to the playground. We were able to visit the beach; easy 25 minute drive to Asbury Park.
Nadine R.GuideAtsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest
Not my vibe
I personally did not like this campsite. First of all, our site tag was leftover from SEPTEMBER. Did no one look at any of these sites and leave someone else’s registration posted there for almost a year? Wild. Our campsite had trash leftover from previous campers. The whole campground was loud - from other campers to just the sounds from the nearby road. If you are looking for peace it is NOT here. If you’re looking to have loud music time all night with no repercussions as your kids ride around yelling and carrying on past midnight then you’ll have a blast. The pros of this campsite was supposed to be the access to Lake Atsion but we were turned away at the gate at 12:30 as they stated they were at capacity. Checking into our campsite they specifically asked if we would be utilizing the recreation area so we would have a pass for entry, but that’s seemingly not in their logistical headcount. I would not visit here again.
Guide to Elwood
Tent campsites near Elwood, New Jersey are nestled within the unique Pine Barrens region where the elevation rarely exceeds 200 feet above sea level. This relatively flat terrain features acidic soil with a pH between 3.8 and 5, creating ideal conditions for the region's characteristic pine and oak vegetation. During summer months, temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder temperatures around 50-70°F.
What to do
Kayaking on the Wading River: Visitors to Hawkins Bridge — Wharton State Forest can access the Wading River directly from the campground. As one camper noted, "Did a two day Canoe tour down the wading river and used the outfitter Micks Canoe... Wading river has a nice flow. It's a dark black river from the tannins." The river is well-maintained and suitable for paddlers of varying experience levels.
Hiking the Batona Trail: The 50-mile Batona Trail passes through several camping areas, making it convenient for overnight treks. A camper at Batona — Wharton State Forest observed, "Best part of this campground is trailheads begin directly from campsites. Trails vary in length but all are flat and easily accessible." The trail connects multiple camping areas, allowing for various hiking distances.
Fishing at Harrisville Pond: Located a short drive from Bodine Field — Wharton State Forest, this pond offers good fishing opportunities. A camper reports, "As well as a quick drive Harrisville Pond which mine as well be a lake. Good fishing for pickerel as well as a decent trail that goes around the entire pond." The pond trail is approximately 1.5 miles and suitable for all skill levels.
What campers like
Secluded campsites: Many campers appreciate the privacy available at certain campsites. At Goshen Pond — Wharton State Forest, one visitor shared, "The boyfriend and I stayed for a weekend at one of the primitive tent sites. Our site was private and secluded. We had a great time." These sites offer a true wilderness experience while still being accessible.
Sandy soil for comfortable sleeping: The Pine Barrens' sandy terrain makes for unusually comfortable tent camping. A reviewer at Hawkins Bridge noted the area has a "ground is soft and comfortable to sleep on (NOT rocky at all, like almost weird how few rocks there are)." This natural feature eliminates the need for extra sleeping pads at many tent campsites near Elwood.
Natural water features: The tannin-darkened waters are a distinctive feature of the region. A camper at Bodine Field mentioned being "right next to the wading river/creek with that amazing cedar water." These naturally tea-colored waters are safe for filtering and add to the unique character of camping in this area.
What you should know
Limited amenities at primitive sites: Most tent camping in this region offers basic facilities. A camper at Lower Forge Camp shared their experience: "We were wholly unprepared to joke about it 8 miles to a campground, despite that and the thunderstorm, had an amazing time." Facilities typically include fire rings and pit toilets, but little else.
Seasonal considerations: Water availability varies throughout the year. A visitor to Batona Campground noted, "A water pump provides fresh water but is not available in the winter." Most campgrounds operate from April 1 to October 31, with limited or no services outside this period.
Wildlife awareness: The Pine Barrens has active wildlife, including bears. As one camper warned about Batona Campground, "Bears frequent this campground so be bear aware and practice proper food storage." Ticks and chiggers are also common during warm months, requiring regular checks and appropriate precautions.
Tips for camping with families
Choose accessible campgrounds: For families with young children, select campgrounds with shorter walking distances. At Goshen Pond, a camper noted, "It's only a one minute walk from the parking area to the site," making it manageable for families carrying children's gear.
Plan for limited bathroom facilities: Most campgrounds have only basic sanitation. A reviewer at Buttonwood Hill — Wharton State Forest mentioned they "felt very safe and secluded" but families should prepare for primitive toilet facilities—typically pit toilets without running water.
Weekend crowd management: Weekdays offer a more peaceful experience for families. A Bodine Field camper advised, "During the off season is in and during the week, it's very peaceful and awesome place to be. During the weekend it's very populated and tends to be pretty noisy." Plan mid-week trips when possible, especially during summer months.
Tips from RVers
Access limitations: Large RVs face significant challenges on the sandy roads. At Batona Campground, a camper warned, "The road into the campground is about 1 mile of loose sand. It can be accessed by a standard vehicle. Site are suitable for tents or small campers. The unpaved road into the site is narrow and tree lined. A larger RV would not fit."
Limited hookup options: Most camping areas near Elwood lack RV amenities. Even at the more developed campgrounds, hookups are minimal or nonexistent, making this area better suited for self-contained small RVs or camper vans that can manage without power, water, or sewer connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Elwood, NJ?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Elwood, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Elwood, NJ is Batona — Wharton State Forest with a 4.3-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Elwood, NJ?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Elwood, NJ?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 tent camping locations near Elwood, NJ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring