Best Equestrian Camping near Grenloch, NJ

Equestrian camping opportunities near Grenloch, New Jersey are limited, with several nearby state parks offering general camping but few dedicated horse facilities. Brendan Byrne State Forest provides camping in a pine barrens setting with trails that can accommodate horseback riding, though the campground itself lacks horse-specific amenities such as corrals or dedicated equestrian sites. The forest's extensive trail network includes some routes suitable for riding, with campsites that can accommodate vehicles with horse trailers. The camping area features clean bathroom facilities with showers, drinking water access points, and spacious sites that can fit multiple vehicles, though boundaries between sites may sometimes be unclear.

Trail access throughout the region provides options for day rides with horses, particularly in Brendan Byrne State Forest where miles of sandy trails wind through the distinctive pine barrens ecosystem. Riders should be prepared for predominantly flat, sandy terrain and potential seasonal issues with ticks, especially during warmer months. Located approximately 30 minutes from Grenloch, Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in neighboring Maryland offers more developed equestrian opportunities with trail riding, though without dedicated horse corrals at campsites. Winter camping tends to offer more seclusion and fewer crowds at these locations, with some areas remaining open year-round despite seasonal limitations. Visitors planning equestrian activities should contact parks directly to confirm current horse policies and trail access.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Grenloch, New Jersey (7)

    1. Brendan Byrne State Forest

    18 Reviews
    Chatsworth, NJ
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (609) 726-1191

    $3 - $60 / night

    "Campsite decent size, but some don't have clear boundaries to neighbors, and sometimes not optimally configured (e.g., the site next door's fire pit was placed on the edge of its site/right next to my"

    "First off, I will start by saying you have to drive a good amount of distance to get into the campground and that is something I really enjoyed!"

    2. Lums Pond State Park Campground

    48 Reviews
    Kirkwood, DE
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (302) 368-6989

    $22 - $40 / night

    "There are some equestrian and tent sites as well.

    Lots of boating (electric motors only) and kayaking on the pond and a decent amount of hiking."

    "I took her older cousins to  the fishing pier, and we didn't even get a nibble, but I think it was too cold for panfish that close to shore."

    3. French Creek State Park Campground

    79 Reviews
    Geigertown, PA
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (610) 582-9680

    $20 - $75 / night

    "We were looking for someplace close to the city but away from the hustle and bustle of our city life, this was the perfect little steal-away; relatively close by, great car camping spots, nice easy hikes"

    "Activities

    • See the photo that shows 35 miles of hiking trails. It's an excellent brochure! "

    4. Turkey Swamp Park

    28 Reviews
    Freehold, NJ
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (732) 462-7286

    $42 - $79 / night

    "   We stayed in New Jersey for our 5th campground on the East Coast: Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold. This is a County park.

     Near some Revolutionary War battlefields.

     I really liked this park!"

    "Heavily wooded and supremely quiet, it’s located not far from anywhere you’d want to be. 30 minutes to the shore. Every site is a pull-through, large and spacious with great woodland views. 30amp and"

    5. Hibernia County Park

    8 Reviews
    Coatesville, PA
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (610) 383-3812

    $15 - $50 / night

    "This campground has 2 small loops, the Lake Loop and the Fiddler's Loop. Lake loop is the bigger of the two, however the “sites” are smaller and it's more open. It is popular with group tenters."

    "Large campsites at the Lake Loop. Map is a little deceiving- the sites are farther from the lake than I expected and there are no running water bathrooms. Very clean and wooded sites."

    6. Blackbird State Forest Campground - CLOSED TIL FURTHER NOTICE

    6 Reviews
    Townsend, DE
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (302) 653-6505

    $25 / night

    "The only thing about this site specifically is the trail was close by so you’d occasionally see people walking by but not enough that it didn’t still feel secluded."

    "I was only one in the forest ATM but saw some hikers occasionally throughout the day walking by."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Grenloch, NJ

6 Photos of 7 Grenloch Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Grenloch, NJ

188 Reviews of 7 Grenloch Campgrounds


  • Cynthia K.
    Aug. 30, 2024

    Turkey Swamp Park

    My favorite!

       We stayed in New Jersey for our 5th campground on the East Coast: Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold. This is a County park.

     Near some Revolutionary War battlefields.

     I really liked this park! They have 2283 acres. A 17 acre lake. Some hiking trails & a nice campground! The sites are all pullthrough. There's lots of vegetation for "privacy". We had a site on the perimeter, which are forest views. Only problem is none of the roads are paved. All are packed sand. We could tell it rained recently because of the muddy tracks. Fortunately it didn't rain while we were there!

      Shower/bathrooms are clean, but dated. They're checked regularly. The bath house is for the entire campground. 3 out of the 4 women's were working. There's a shared dressing area. 

    There's a laundry that doesn't take quarters. EPay. 

    There's a nice playground in the campground.

     They have 3 cabins for rent, with forest views.

     The lake has fishing & boat rentals. No gas motors. There's no swimming at the lake. Cell service was fair.. No WiFi. 

    They have an archery range. 

        This was my favorite campground on our trip! I really enjoyed camping here! There's a rustic retro quality to the place. I adored the campsites & I didn't see any really bad ones.

  • Amanda K.
    Aug. 14, 2022

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Reviews are misleading, they don’t offer what they use to

    I’m sure one point in time this use to be a 4-5 star campground. It is a far stretch from that today.

    PROS:

    AT&T / Cricket cell service Paved loops good for bicycles

    CONS:

    The large pool you see in pictures, is not operating.

    The kayak/canoe rentals is not operating.

    It is prohibited to take a swim in the lake.

    A majority of the campsites are small and stacked right on top of each-other. Ours, C15, was a rocky terrain making it difficult for our children to walk around.

    Loop A has many parking pads that are on a significant sloop making it very difficult to level your camper/rv

    The bathrooms don’t seem to be well maintained or cleaned.

    No camp store

    No place to buy firewood

    THE WORST PART - The park rangers are on the boarder-line of harassment. They constantly patrol the area and seek out reasons to write tickets. We have witnessed them rummaging around peoples campsites when they were away from their sites. It doesn’t take much to do something wrong. Your vehicle tires must be on the pavement pad, they cannot be touching the grass. If your vehicle cannot fit it must go in “over flow parking” which isn’t close by. Any evidence of alcohol is surly a fine.

    NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: Hopewell Furnace Historical Site Birdsboro Preserve St. Peters Classic Auto Mall Museum Ryerss Farm for aged equestrians

  • Ellen B.
    May. 23, 2019

    Lums Pond State Park Campground

    Great place in the back yard

    We do Lums Pond at least twice a year if we can get reservations.

    Sites are big and all were redone in the last few years with concrete pads, 30 amp service and full sewer. There are some equestrian and tent sites as well.

    Lots of boating (electric motors only) and kayaking on the pond and a decent amount of hiking. There’s an off leash dog park, equestrian center and boat ramp. Book early because it fills up fast!

  • Laure D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 24, 2021

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Feels crowded

    This PA state park felt, upon first impression, very tightly spaced and had an overall crowded feel in loop C, the only dog friendly electric loop. The sites that aren’t ADA have more space between them than we did.  Our site C41 was full hookup as are several others (1-7, 39-47). This is an ADA site, there are several of them. Perhaps this is why it’s crowded so they could fit extra ADA sites? They are very level and have paved pads, but also a paved picnic pad, and paved fire ring pad. Non ADA full hookup sites appeared to be the nicest though they were narrow and some weren’t level side to side. There were a lot of rocks embedded in the ground around and on many sites. Non ADA sites have only a paved pad for the RV. The picnic table and fire ring were behind our RV and when sitting at them, we were within view of sites 37, 39, and 40. I felt like I was in a townhouse setting. Non ADA sites varied as to where picnic and fire rings were set. Also many sites looked like there was quite a drop off at the edge of the already narrow pad so that you had a big step down off your last RV step. Site C42 is ADA and is a nice, semi private, spacious site. Though I’d choose from sites  #1-7 next time. ALL parking pads are 45’ long.

    Loop B has a mix of electric and non electric but doesn’t allow pets. That loop was more spacious and had trees between some  sites so it felt  more private. The sites appeared level. There are Yurts and mini cabins outside Loop C that had lots of space around them. Loop A is a pet loop but no electric. However, it’s closed now for what appears to be renovations. Loop D is non electric, no pets.

    The campground had no vacancy on this particular weekend. One car allowed per site and most had to park perpendicular. Sites were short (45’ long). 2nd cars are $5 a night but wouldn’t fit in most sites.

    The day use areas have frisbee golf, boat rentals, fishing, hunting, hiking, and a pool that overlooks the lake. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site is adjacent to the park but was not fully open due to covid. It’s a large state park. The pool was nice looking but not open until Memorial Day. Boat rentals are available weekends in May and Sept. and daily all summer. These amenities were far from the campground and would require driving your car. Hiking trails were plentiful but most were labeled as “more difficult.”  Horse back riding is allowed on some trails. I didn’t see any trails that started at the campground loops. 

    Overall, it’s an adequate campground but not my favorite.

  • Christina S.
    Aug. 13, 2017

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Great local getaway

    We were looking for someplace close to the city but away from the hustle and bustle of our city life, this was the perfect little steal-away; relatively close by, great car camping spots, nice easy hikes, there's a lake but unfortunately you can't swim in it, they have a public pool but we opted for hiking instead.

  • M
    Apr. 4, 2022

    Lums Pond State Park Campground

    Will be back again [when we can get a reservation]

    I understand why it is so difficult to get a reservation at Lums Pond.  I don't know if it's the host campers or the management, but they're definitely doing something right.  

    I have to say, Jim, the host camper by us was fantastic.  As it was our first trip after a long winter, I managed to forget to put the anode back in our water heater.  I went over and sheepishly asked him if I could borrow a 1 1/2" socket.  He not only lent us a socket, but asked if I needed help, and if I had teflon tape (which I did) and was willing to lend a hand.

    The site was fairly level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back.  That was a bonus.

    Our daughter really enjoyed the playground (which was excellent, by my standards). The only complaint I have is that the kiddie swings seem to be modeled after the seasickness machine that they had on Mythbusters (https://archive.org/details/MythBusters..Season.3..480p576P..DVDripHDTV..X265HEVC..O69..FIXED/Mythbusters+-+S03E26+-+Seasickness+-+Kill+or+Cure.mkv).  I could only go on the swing with her for a little bit before I started to turn green.  Other than that?  She fought us about leaving the playground, and really would have been content if that was all we did.

    I took her older cousins to  the fishing pier, and we didn't even get a nibble, but I think it was too cold for panfish that close to shore.

    The trails were well marked, and the day we took a hike, we ended up on the equestrian trail that runs all the way around the pond.  It was a long, but easy hike.

    The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease.

    All in all, it was a fantastic trip, and I hope to go back soon.

  • Laure D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 31, 2024

    Lums Pond State Park Campground

    Snall campground, big sites

    Nice smaller campground with large spacious sites. Very level and spaced apart from neighbor is you pick the right spots. We were in 17 which looked out to open space and woods. If it rains, some sites are flooded. Not much going on for activities in March. Near an Ape Adventure park, hike around lake, and any shopping or restaurants you might want are close by. It rained heavy so we didn’t get out much but walk around camp loop is nice and flat.

  • Mary S.
    Oct. 6, 2018

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Beautiful, large wooded sites and lots of hiking trails

    This is a nicely laid out campground with 4 loops and many site choices - non-electric, electric and full hookup sites (water, sewer and electricity); a couple yurts; and 3 camping cottages. (There are cabins elsewhere in the park.) We just showed up on a Wednesday in early October but I'm sure you'd need a reservation on a weekend.

    Activities

    • See the photo that shows 35 miles of hiking trails. It's an excellent brochure! Some trails are hiking only; others allow mountain biking in addition to hiking, and there are equestrian trails.

    • Boating and fishing

    • Swimming pool by Hopewell Lake

    • Disc golf

    • Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site is on your way to the campground.

    The Sites

    • See photo of the campground map along with typical site photos.

    • 4 loops: no electricity in A and D, mix of electric and non-electric sites in B, and a mix of full hookups, electric and non-electric sites in C. Loop C is the only loop open all year with no guarantee of access in the winter.

    • Asphalt pads are all supposed to be 45 feet.

    • The sites looked level but many of the pads in Loop A were just a bit downhill as you back in. That means our heads are downhill for sleeping unless we turn our teardrop trailer, so we just looked until we found a level site. If you're into leveling a camper, it's not a big deal. We can adjust our back end, but we don't mess around with anything else. It is what it is!

    • There are water spigots around the loops and recycling/trash disposal and a dump station on your way in/out.

    • Site map shows some ADA accessible sites.

    New Restrooms Are Worth Noting

    • See photos.

    • Push button showers. You can't adjust the temperature and you have to keep pushing the button every 30 seconds or so. I guess this saves water.

    • Two utility sinks outside the restrooms are a good addition.

    Pet Owners: Pets are only allowed in loop C.

    A Couple Warnings

    • PA state parks do not allow alcoholic beverages at all. That's what they say.

    • Hunting is permitted in most of the state park. That would put a real damper on my hiking at certain times of the year because the hiking trails run right through these areas.

  • S
    Jun. 27, 2021

    Brendan Byrne State Forest

    Nice campsite for car camping

    Flat site, no tent bed, enough space to park two cars. Campsite decent size, but some don't have clear boundaries to neighbors, and sometimes not optimally configured (e.g., the site next door's fire pit was placed on the edge of its site/right next to my site). Could hear the traffic on Rte 72 at night despite being a half mile away.

    Bathrooms were clean and stocked, warm/hot water available. No issues with firepit, water, plenty of tinder nearby. Bought firewood at the office for $7, but there is plenty of dead wood lying around outside the campsite. Picnic tables were somewhat hacked/battoned for kindling, but many sites had a log lying around for such purpose.

    Went during the week and there were only 3 other campsites in use, ran into very few people on the trails. Ticks were definitely present but wasn't too crazy - found 2 on me in 3 days, no mosquito bites... thanks permethrin!


Guide to Grenloch

Turkey Swamp Park and Brendan Byrne State Forest offer the most accessible camping options near Grenloch, New Jersey, with both located within 30-45 minutes of town. The pine forests and wetland areas typical of this region create a distinctive camping environment across all seasons, with moderate to high humidity during summer months. Campgrounds in this area tend to operate on a reservation system due to limited capacity, especially during peak season from May through October.

What to do

Trail riding opportunities: Several campgrounds near Grenloch accommodate equestrian activities with designated trails. Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Maryland offers extensive trail riding options, though camping is limited to group sites. A camper notes that "There are two primitive youth group camping areas. There are specific rules that need to be followed and the guidelines are on the website."

Fishing and boating: Many nearby campgrounds feature lakes with various fishing opportunities. Turkey Swamp Park provides a stocked lake for fishing. One visitor mentioned, "There's a nice lake to kayak or paddle boat on" and another noted that "They sell bait at the Ranger office." Most lakes restrict watercraft to non-motorized or electric motors only.

Hiking network: The surrounding state forests and parks maintain trail systems with varying difficulty levels. Hibernia County Park features "Walking/hiking trails and the lake were super peaceful" according to one camper. Another visitor mentioned the park has "a half dozen, easy trails, the longest is around 2 miles."

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Campers frequently mention site spacing as a positive feature. At Blackbird State Forest Campground, visitors appreciate that "Only 8 sites in the campground, very spaced apart. Each site has lots of room." Another camper noted the "spacious campsite, grill, picnic table, firepit, parking for 2-3 cars plus overflow parking."

Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers rank high on camper satisfaction. One camper at Lums Pond State Park Campground praised "Great bath houses, always super clean" while another mentioned "The bathroom facilities and laundry are clean and modern. There are separate, individual shower rooms."

Winter camping options: Several campgrounds remain open year-round, offering a different camping experience. A camper at French Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "Stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great!" The reduced crowds during colder months appeal to those seeking solitude.

What you should know

Bug protection essential: Ticks and mosquitoes are prevalent, particularly in warmer months. A visitor to Turkey Swamp Park warned, "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2." Another camper at Brendan Byrne State Forest advised, "Ticks were very active on this visit be sure to remember your bug spray and tuck your pants in your socks!"

Limited hookup options: Many campgrounds in the region offer primitive or partial hookup sites. At French Creek State Park Campground, "There are 200 individual sites in four loops, some with full hookups for RVs, some with electric only but mostly primitive sites."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Grenloch, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Grenloch, NJ is Brendan Byrne State Forest with a 4.7-star rating from 18 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Grenloch, NJ?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Grenloch, NJ, with real photos and reviews from campers.