The Pine Barrens region surrounding Glassboro, New Jersey offers diverse camping options within 30 miles of town. The area's sandy soil creates unique forest ecosystems where pitch pines thrive despite frequent natural fires. Campgrounds in this region typically remain open from April through October, though several offer year-round access with seasonal water limitations during winter months.
What to do
Kayaking on the Wading River: Visitors to Wading Pines Camping Resort can launch directly into the river for self-guided paddling trips. "We loved this campground. Friendly staff. Plenty for the kids to do. The river is right there to go tubing or kayaking," notes Arnold M. Another visitor recommends "Have someone drop you off at Hawkins Bridge and float down to the campground. A little over 2 hour ride."
Horseshoe and cornhole games: Family-friendly recreation options extend beyond water activities. "There was so much to do there - a pool, lake, horseshoes, cornhole, playground, big pillow and even more," shares Nicole S. about her experience at Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA. Many campgrounds provide equipment for these lawn games free of charge.
Winter camping options: Unlike most New Jersey campgrounds, Lums Pond State Park Campground offers true year-round camping just 30 minutes from Glassboro. "In February, about 1/4 of the sites were occupied. It was very quiet. The sites are large and well spaced," reports Adam and Suzanne B. Winter visitors should pack extra layers as nighttime temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Campers consistently praise the natural separation between sites at French Creek State Park Campground. "As long as you don't stay right across from the bath houses you will find ample shade at your site. There are so many trees and brush in between most sites you can't even really see your neighbors," explains Ranger Jen. This privacy creates a more authentic forest camping experience.
Spacious full hookup RV pads: Reviewers note the generous site dimensions at several area campgrounds. Matt S. shares about Lums Pond: "Beautiful park setting with fantastic site—spacious, level, good-working hookups, and paved." Sites typically accommodate large RVs plus additional vehicles with room to spare.
Clean shower facilities: Many visitors highlight bathroom quality as a key factor in their camping experience. "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," reports Mark about their stay at Lums Pond. Several campgrounds feature individual shower rooms rather than communal shower areas.
What you should know
Site selection matters: At Belleplain State Forest, location within the campground significantly affects your experience. "We had friends stay in the lean-tos nearby and others visit. We had room to park several cars. This would be a great site for an RV plus a few tents," explains Anne H., but cautions "Also, there was a dip in the site when backing in and our fifth wheel was bending to the point of rubbing the top of our truck."
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "Book early because it fills up fast!" warns Ellen B. about Lums Pond State Park. Weekend reservations from Memorial Day through Labor Day should be made 3-6 months in advance for most campgrounds in the region.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. "Virtually NO cell service with AT&T, TMobile or Verizon. AT&T was the better of the 3," reports Anne H. about Belleplain State Forest. For remote work needs, Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA offers more reliable service according to reviews.
Tips for camping with families
Look for organized children's activities: Several campgrounds provide structured programming for kids. At Jellystone Park South Jersey, "The nature center had planned activities for families each day," according to a recent visitor. Typical activities include nature walks, craft sessions, and outdoor movie nights.
Consider yurt camping: For families new to camping near Glassboro, New Jersey, yurt accommodations provide an accessible introduction. "We stayed in a yurt. it was a great experience that we would definitely do again," shares Lisa S. about her stay at Belleplain State Forest. Yurt camping combines solid flooring and real beds with the outdoor camping experience.
Choose sites near playgrounds: Location within the campground significantly impacts the family experience. "Our daughter really enjoyed the playground (which was excellent, by my standards)," notes Mark about Lums Pond. However, he adds a practical warning: "The kiddie swings seem to be modeled after the seasickness machine that they had on Mythbusters. I could only go on the swing with her for a little bit before I started to turn green."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Several campgrounds present unique terrain issues for larger rigs. "The site was level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back. That was a bonus," reports Mark about Lums Pond State Park. At Parvin State Park Campground, a visitor notes: "I stayed at Site#8 in a travel trailer. Site was level and easy in and out. Large site off the main road to other sites."
Dump station limitations: RV owners should plan accordingly for end-of-trip waste disposal. "The worst was the dump station. It is just a little hole on the side of the road and the ONLY dump station for the 3 campgrounds! It was very unlevel and not easy to fully dump our tanks," warns Anne H. about Belleplain State Forest. During busy weekends, dump station lines can exceed two hours at most public campgrounds.
Water quality concerns: Several campgrounds have mineral-heavy water systems. At Parvin State Park, Frank J. cautions: "The water has a very high iron content. I couldn't even use it for tooth brushing. Most of the showers were out of order. The toilets were clean but had the orange staining from the iron in the water." Many experienced RVers bring water purification systems when camping in this region.
