Best Tent Camping near Evesham, NJ
Wharton State Forest offers the most extensive tent camping options within a short drive of Evesham, New Jersey, with multiple primitive tent-specific campgrounds scattered throughout its pine barrens ecosystem. Notable locations include Goshen Pond Campground, which features walk-in tent sites set among pine trees, and Batona Campground, which provides access to the 50-mile Batona Trail. Several backcountry tent camping areas, including Lower Forge Camp and Mullica River Campground, require hiking several miles to reach, creating a more secluded tent camping experience.
Most tent sites in the Wharton State Forest area feature soft, sandy soil characteristic of the New Jersey Pine Barrens, making for comfortable tent setup but occasionally challenging vehicle access on unpaved roads. Campgrounds typically provide basic amenities suited for tent campers, including fire rings and outhouses or vault toilets. Potable water is available at some locations via hand pumps, though several sites like Goshen Pond have limited or no drinking water access. Reservations are required for most established tent sites, with the camping season generally running from April 1 to October 31. Campers should be aware of ticks, which are prevalent throughout the region.
Walk-in tent sites offer greater privacy than drive-in locations, particularly at Goshen Pond where the parking area is separate from the camping area. The nutrient-poor sandy soil of the Pine Barrens creates a unique ecosystem dominated by pine trees with little undergrowth, providing partial shade for tent campers while still allowing for relatively open sites. Backcountry tent sites at Lower Forge and Mullica River campgrounds are accessible only by hiking several miles or paddling in, creating a true wilderness experience within a relatively short distance from urban areas. According to one visitor, "Really liked this campground. 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."
