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
Camping near Runnemede, NJ
5 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Campgrounds near Runnemede, New Jersey range from full-service RV parks to rustic tent camping facilities within a 30-mile radius. Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA provides tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping accommodations approximately 12 miles southwest of Runnemede. Several mixed-use campgrounds populate the region, including Lake Kandle in Sewell and Atsion Family Camp in Wharton State Forest, which accommodate various camping styles including tent, RV, and cabin options. Most facilities in the area offer amenities such as showers, toilets, and picnic tables, with several providing electric hookups and water access for RVs.
Seasonal considerations affect camping availability throughout the region, with many campgrounds operating on limited schedules. Old Cedar Campground and Hospitality Creek Campground both operate seasonally from April to October, while others like Wharton State Forest's Goshen Pond Campground maintain similar seasonal limitations. Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when facilities reach capacity. The Philadelphia metropolitan area's proximity creates higher demand at developed campgrounds with full amenities. According to one visitor at Lake Kandle, "Lake with swing and fishing and two pools. No pets no alcohol no store but they have a snack stand. Make sure to get an end campsite or your table will be by the sanitary dump."
Campers consistently rate the Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA highly for its clean facilities and family-friendly atmosphere. The campground features a pond, pool, playground, and organized activities that appeal to families with children. Several visitors mentioned the convenience of this location for accessing Philadelphia attractions while maintaining a quiet camping environment. A review described it as "a 20 minute ride into Philly and Uber was quick and responsive." For those seeking a more natural setting, the Wharton State Forest campgrounds provide a more rustic experience within the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Urban camping options are also available, including unique accommodations like the boat-based "urban glamping" experience at Philly Love Boats at Pier 5 Marina, which offers an alternative to traditional tent and RV sites while providing city access.
Best Campgrounds near Runnemede (129)
1. Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA
"We did Chinatown and walked part of the Schuylkill River trail which we accessed by parking near Fairmount Park."
"In addition to the peaceful vibe, the people are friendly, the little office store has everything you forgot to pack, and if you look around the campground edges or follow the walking trail into the woods"
2. Atsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest
"Atsion Family Campground Off US 206 and about 1/2 a mile up Atsion Road in New Jersey’s Wharton State Forest, you’ll find the Atsion Family Campground."
"It was a great location, closest site to the water with beautiful views. Super convenient if you're a Kayaker, you can launch right off that spot. Its a huge site, away from other sites."
3. Old Cedar Campground
"Quiet Getaway Weekend
We went to Old Cedar Campground in Monroeville, New Jersey, for a quiet getaway weekend. This is a small and basic campground, not a resort. No fancy amenities."
"Not close off the highway, but wooden sites. Seems as though people spend their summers there. Pool was beautiful and looked new. Mini golf was decrepit and looked abandoned. Store was nice."
Check Availabilityfrom $31 - $50 / night
4. Hospitality Creek Campground
"The park was easy to find and located a short distance from the highway. We were met at the entry gate with a personalized folder containing lots of helpful information for our stay."
"We love the lake side campsites."
5. Philly Love Boats at Pier 5 Marina: Urban Glamping
Check Availabilityfrom $120 - $145 / night
6. Four Seasons Family Campground
"They have many amenities form a lake to swim or fish, to playgrounds,theres a convenient store and even an arcade, and the best part is all the farms around."
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $150 / night
7. Lake Kandle
"Lake with swing and fishing and two pools. No pets no alcohol no store but they have a snack stand. Make sure to get an end campsite or your table will be by the sanitary dump."
8. Tinicum Island
9. Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park
"well marked trails great for hiking. pet friendly! we love walking here with our dog. there are even a few great spots to get a small creek swim in! It also has a greag picnic area with grills."
"We found a lot of really unique sites around the park. Will keep going back"
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $57 / night
10. Goshen Pond — Wharton State Forest
"It's only a one minute walk from the parking area to the site. Our site was right next to the Mullica River, and had excellent views if you walked just a couple steps from the tent."
"Great sites, great trails, lots of hiking and off road trails for dirt bike/atv/ trucks. Pretty good boating/ fishing. Just gotta check often for chiggers and ticks."
Drive Time
- 14 min from Philadelphia, PA
- 33 min from Trenton, NJ
- 36 min from Vineland, NJ
- 46 min from Atlantic City, NJ
Recent Camping Photos near Runnemede, NJ
229 Photos of 129 Runnemede Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOAM
Old Cedar CampgroundS
Hospitality Creek Campground
Four Seasons Family Campground
Goshen Pond — Wharton State ForestA
Atsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest
Blueberry Morning
Lower Forge Camp
Lower Forge — Wharton State Forest
Parvin State Park Campground
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park - Elmer
Batona — Wharton State ForestM
Recent Reviews near Runnemede, NJ
816 Reviews of 129 Runnemede Campgrounds
- j
james Q.ScoutBelleplain State Forest
Quiet, Clean and Friendly
We stayed at the group site campground with our horse. We found the sites to be large, and clean. The staff is very friendly and helpful, and they have fall activities for the family, at the lake and nature hikes. The porta potty's are very clean, have hand sanitizer and plenty of paper. Will be returning again in a few weeks. Plenty of trails to ride on. A true gem in our own backyard.
Stuart K.
LegendWashington Crossing State Park - TEMP CLOSED FOR 2024
Revolutionary History near Delaware River
Nestled along the picturesque Delaware River in beautiful Bucks County, Washington Crossing Historic Park is one of those destinations where American history practically jumps out from behind every tree. This sprawling, beautifully preserved historic park commemorates George Washington's daring Christmas night crossing of the Delaware in 1776, with charming colonial buildings, expansive green spaces, shaded walking paths and lovely riverfront scenery. Divided into Upper and Lower sections, the park offers plenty to explore, from historic homesteads and interpretive exhibits to scenic picnic areas and the impressive Bowman's Hill Tower. Unfortunately, while the park delivers a wonderful outdoor experience, traditional overnight camping isn't part of the equation unless your a Boy Scout or accompanying one of their troops.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spectacular Revolutionary War history at the very site of Washington's legendary Delaware River crossing; (2) Beautifully maintained grounds featuring mature trees, open lawns and scenic riverfront views; (3) Fascinating colonial-era buildings, historic demonstrations and educational exhibits that bring America's founding history to life; (4) Wonderful recreational opportunities, including walking, cycling, fishing, kayaking and picnicking; and (5) Convenient proximity to charming New Hope, the Delaware Canal towpath and Bowman's Hill Tower, offering plenty of opportunities to extend your adventure.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) No conventional public tent or RV camping, with overnight group camping restricted to organized Scout groups by prior arrangement; (2) No dedicated RV campsites, electrical hookups, water connections or dump station; (3) Park grounds generally close at sunset, limiting opportunities to linger into the evening; (4) Some historic buildings and attractions require admission fees or operate on limited schedules; and (5) Periodic restoration projects and special events can restrict access to certain areas, while the historic Washington Crossing Bridge's three-ton weight limit makes it unsuitable for larger RVs.
Happy Camping!
- Stuart K.Legend
Lowe's - W Windsor
Upscale Parking Paradise at This Home Fixer-Upper
Located just off US Route 1 in the upscale Princeton area, this spacious Lowe's serves up a surprisingly pleasant patch of pavement for weary road warriors looking to catch some shut-eye. Set back roughly 80 yards from the highway, this big blue home improvement retailer offers a generously sized parking lot with relatively manageable traffic, good maneuverability and a quieter atmosphere than you might expect from such a busy suburban retail corridor. The western and southern edges of the lot are particularly appealing for an overnight stay, and with Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several other retailers nearby, convenience certainly isn't in short supply. Better yet, the store management was friendly and accommodating when we called ahead to arrange our overnight visit.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spacious, paved parking lot with plenty of room to maneuver larger rigs; (2) Convenient access to US Route 1 and nearby I-95; (3) Western and southern parking areas offer quieter spots away from the busiest customer traffic; (4) Excellent nearby conveniences, including Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several dining options; and (5) Friendly store management that welcomed our overnight stay, plus surprisingly good opportunities for outdoor recreation nearby.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) Some daytime retail traffic and occasional road noise, although nothing terribly disruptive; (2) No RV hookups, dump station or dedicated overnight camping facilities; (3) Parking areas closest to the store can become crowded during business hours; (4) Limited greenery and little of the scenery you'd expect from a traditional campground; and (5) While the overnight experience was excellent, this is still a commercial parking lot rather than a destination for an extended stay.
Happy Overnighting!
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.
- JJohn Y.Scout
Ocean 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.
Thomas B.
RangerTohickon Family Campground
Simple, peaceful FHU
We stayed just a couple nights here on our way north. The camp host was helpful before our stay and during check-in. Our site was pretty isolated from the others, so it was very quiet (no complaints here). There is a decent mix of sunny sites by the river and shady sites under the trees. The weather was perfect mid September. There wasn't anything spectacular for me, but it was a good experience and it was a nice taste of fall PA scenery. Beware that the roads are tight for a big rig. Side note, it did seem like most campers lived there.
Guide to Runnemede
Camping in southern New Jersey offers year-round opportunities with mild winters rarely dropping below 20°F and humid summers averaging 85°F. The region around Runnemede features a mix of Pine Barrens ecosystems and Delaware Valley watersheds, creating diverse camping environments within a 30-mile radius. Most campgrounds in this area close seasonally between late October and early April.
What to do
Kayaking the Mullica River: At Goshen Pond Campground in Wharton State Forest, campers can launch directly from sites. "Our site was right next to the Mullica River, and had excellent views if you walked just a couple steps from the tent. We were able to put our kayaks in right next to the site which was very convenient," notes Anna D.
Hiking natural trails: Multiple hiking paths weave through the Pine Barrens near campsites. "If you look around the campground edges or follow the walking trail into the woods, you will find wonderful native plants like blueberry, viburnum, clethra, and meadow beauty," explains Jorah about Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA.
Swimming options beyond pools: Lake Kandle offers multiple water recreation choices. "Lake with swing and fishing and two pools. No pets no alcohol no store but they have a snack stand," reports Mya M., highlighting the diverse swimming options available beyond standard campground pools.
Stargazing without light pollution: The Pine Barrens provide excellent night sky viewing opportunities. When camping at Bodine Field in Wharton State Forest, Dina S. describes, "Our tent has a full view of the sky and at night it was like a planetarium as we admired the sky from our cots."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Old Cedar Campground maintains high cleanliness standards. "The pool was nice and clean. Wifi worked well enough for us to stream Netflix and YouTube," reports Matt S., who appreciated the well-maintained amenities during their stay.
Proximity to Philadelphia: Campers value locations allowing day trips to the city. Jason E. notes about Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA, "This is a very nice KOA, just over the Delaware River from Philly. The park is clean, quiet, full of families. It's easy to navigate to the park from the interstate, and big rigs fit easily."
Waterfront sites: Hospitality Creek Campground offers premium lakefront options. "Our lakefront site (#57) was superb! It was between a small, paved boat ramp and a row of arborvitae trees on the other side separating us from the neighboring site," explains Matt S., describing the scenic waterfront accommodations.
Unique accommodations: For those seeking alternatives to traditional camping, Tinicum Island provides boat-in only camping. Bobby S. simply states, "A great place to stay if you have a watercraft," highlighting this distinctive camping option within reach of Runnemede.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Many best places to camp near Runnemede, New Jersey operate on restricted schedules. Old Cedar Campground runs from April 21 to October 9, while Goshen Pond Campground operates April 1 to October 31.
Reservation requirements: Summer weekends fill quickly at most campgrounds. Matt S. notes about Hospitality Creek: "We were met at the entry gate with a personalized folder containing lots of helpful information for our stay. I was impressed at how prepared they were for our arrival."
Site maintenance varies: Some campgrounds require vigilance for debris. Steve comments about Atsion Recreation Area: "There was a bag tied to a tree with someone's trash in it. Speaking of trash, there was a lot of little bits scattered throughout the site, I spent my camp setup time also picking out the worst offenders (bottle caps, broken glass, zip ties, broken off plastic bits of kids toys etc.)"
Noise considerations: At several campgrounds, fellow campers can impact the experience. Steve noted at Atsion: "Unfortunately 2 of them were taken by a large family group who were pretty loud until midnight - no fault of the campsite, just note that this place will have a higher frequency of this type of visitor."
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Four Seasons Family Campground provides structured programming for children. "Very quiet and peaceful at night with lots of activities for the kids during the day," notes Amanda M., highlighting the balance between entertainment and rest.
Multi-generational visits: Hospitality Creek Campground offers day visitor options. Craig W. explains, "The wonderful part was having them visit us - for $8 per day the grandchildren were able to play miniature golf, swim in the pool (they had pool toys to borrow) fish (and yes they caught bass), every Saturday they had an organized activity for the kids."
Playground access: For families with younger children, Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA provides several play areas. Nicole S. reports, "There was so much to do there a pool, lake, horseshoes, cornhole, playground, big pillow and even more. They offer so many activities during the day and text you so you don't forget."
Bathroom proximity: When camping with children, bathroom location becomes crucial. Paula at Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA notes, "It was cold so we asked to be put close to bathrooms so we could leave camper winterized. They accommodated us nicely."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Old Cedar Campground, Matt S. advises, "The water hookups are shared every other site (at least in the Fence Loop). I was lucky my 75' hose barely reached the distance needed. Be sure to bring extra hoses."
RV maneuvering: Ridley Creek State Park has specific limitations on RV size. The park accommodates smaller rigs but lacks facilities for larger motorhomes or trailers, making it better suited for tent camping or compact campers.
Hookup reliability: Jim G. reports about Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA: "The hookups were fine, cable was good, wifi was fairly fast but was prone to disconnects. Lots of shopping nearby, fortunately for me because I had to run to Home Depot for a quick repair item."
Delivery services: Several campgrounds offer on-site delivery of essentials. Nicole S. appreciated that at Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA "they also would deliver firewood to your fire ring which was a awesome touch," saving campers from carrying heavy loads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Runnemede, NJ?
Which is the most popular campground near Runnemede, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Runnemede, NJ is Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA with a 4.3-star rating from 22 reviews.
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