Located in the heart of the New Jersey Pine Barrens region, camping near Freehold offers access to one of the East Coast's largest protected natural areas with over 1.1 million acres of forest and wetlands. The area maintains a moderate climate with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and spring/fall temperatures ranging from 50-70°F. Campsites typically operate from April through November, with limited year-round options available.
What to do
Kayaking at Wharton State Forest: Launch directly from waterfront campsites at Atsion Family Campground for easy river access. "We tent camped at Atsion in 2015: had flush toilets and was close to the checkin station/store as well as the beach on the lake. Some sites were right on the water and the sites were very big," notes Dina S., who also mentioned launching kayaks directly from their site at the Bodine area.
Mountain biking at Allaire State Park: Access several miles of trails ranging from easy paved paths to technical single track. "Lots to do in the area! Mountain Biking from easy, paved trails to several miles of single track with everything in between. Working village and antique train are available most of the year," writes Beau B.
Winter activities at Turkey Swamp Park: Enjoy ice skating on the lake or archery at the dedicated range during colder months. "We go every year. It has everything the outdoorsman could ask for. Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels. Ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods," shares Patrick M.
River tubing at Wading Pines: Float down the Wading River for a relaxing 2+ hour adventure. "We did have a great time tubing on the river. Have someone drop you off at Hawkins Bridge and float down to the campground. A little over 2 hour ride," suggests Stacy D.
What campers like
Private, wooded campsites: Many campgrounds offer secluded sites with natural spacing. "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest. Sites are level and well maintained," explains Katheryn N. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Year-round camping options: Several parks remain open throughout winter for off-season adventures. "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 Allaire State Park.
Lake and beach access: Many campgrounds include water recreation opportunities. "Each site has a fire pit, picnic table and garbage can. There's a nice lake to kayak or paddle boat on," notes Jean T., highlighting the recreation options at Turkey Swamp Park.
Primitive boat-in sites: For a more remote experience, some parks offer boat-accessible campsites. "Hike in or boat across the reservoir, that's the only way to access these primitive sites. Beautiful sites right on the lake, or up higher if wanted," explains Michelle D. about Round Valley State Park.
What you should know
Tick awareness: The Pine Barrens region has a significant tick population, especially in warmer months. "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2. That was so crazy because we were just sitting by our camper," warns Laura Y. about her experience at Turkey Swamp Park.
Water supply distance: Some campsites require longer hoses for hookups or walks to water sources. "Nicely wooded with water and electric. Be sure to bring extra hose because the water spigot is a distance from the electric," advises Jean T.
Seasonal availability: Most glamping close to Freehold, New Jersey has limited operational seasons. "The campsite was spacious with forest views and it's really beautiful. Campground was only about 20% occupied when we were there at the end of April, so our stay was a quiet one," mentions Lee D. about Turkey Swamp in spring.
Fire restrictions: Some campgrounds have specific rules about campfire hours. "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. about Brendan Byrne State Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Bug preparation: Pack appropriate repellents and clothing for insect protection. "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," shares Jaewook P. about Timberland Lake Campground.
Activity planning: Many campgrounds offer scheduled events, especially on weekends. "We went to timberland lake last fall. It happened to be the Halloween weekend which was full of excellent activities from pumpkin painting to piñatas and tricker treating. Lake was beautiful," reports Ann Marie M.
Playground access: Check for kid-friendly amenities when booking. "The bathrooms and showers are clean and well maintained. There are playgrounds and picnic areas as well," mentions Katheryn N. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Swimming options: Several parks provide beach areas with varying facilities. "Pool was open for a couple days following the lifting of restrictions for COVID. Overall, a nice campground that is close to Six Flags. We will be going back," notes Aaron E. about his family's stay at Timberland Lake.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Request specific sites based on your RV's needs and hookup requirements. "Sites in Loops B-E all have pull-thru driveways. Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy," describes Lee D. about Round Valley Recreation Area.
Road conditions: Be prepared for varied road surfaces throughout the region. "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," warns Lee D. about accessing Turkey Swamp Park.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups or dump facilities. "Campsite came with fire pit, large picnic bench, and lamp stand. Plenty of parking space. Good tree coverage," reports Graham D., highlighting the basic amenities available at some sites.
Low-hanging branches: Watch for tree limbs when navigating campground roads with taller rigs. "This place is not big-rig friendly, difficult to navigate some of the turns in our 45' motorhome and taking scratches from tree branches that should be trimmed," cautions Matt S. about his experience at Adventure Bound Camping.
