119 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Wharton State Forest dominates the camping landscape around Atco, New Jersey, with multiple campgrounds including Atsion Family Camp and Goshen Pond offering diverse accommodations. The Pine Barrens region provides a mix of established campgrounds and more primitive sites within a short drive of Philadelphia and Atlantic City. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate tent camping, while several like Atsion Family Camp and Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA also offer RV sites, cabins, and even glamping options. Brendan Byrne State Forest, located about 20 miles northeast of Atco, provides additional camping opportunities with both tent and RV sites.
Camping in the Atco area follows seasonal patterns, with many campgrounds operating from April through October, though some like Atsion Family Camp remain open year-round. "Atsion Family Campground offers spacious sites with a pic-nick table and fire ring grill. Some sites have lake-side water access, so bring your canoes and kayaks and reserve these sites early as they are popular," noted one visitor. The sandy terrain throughout the Pine Barrens creates level camping conditions but can become messy after rain. Cell service varies across the region, with most campgrounds reporting limited but manageable coverage. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend stays during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds require pet registration, and some like Mullica River in Wharton State Forest prohibit pets entirely.
The Pine Barrens camping experience combines forest immersion with water recreation opportunities. Campers consistently praise the lakeside sites at Atsion, where swimming and paddling access enhance the experience. A visitor described Wharton State Forest as "a great getaway from the everyday rat race" and "one of the few places in New Jersey you have to backpack into." The region's extensive trail system, including the Batona Trail, provides hiking and biking opportunities directly from many campgrounds. While some sites offer privacy with trees and vegetation creating natural barriers, others are more open and communal. Proximity to historic sites like Batsto Village adds cultural interest to camping trips, with the preserved iron and glass community from the 1700s-1900s located just 15 minutes from some campgrounds. Most campgrounds provide basic amenities including drinking water and toilets, though hookups and shower facilities vary significantly.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"I grew up near the pine barrens and would camp here many times with friends. If you want off the beaten path and not close to anyone... this is IT! You might even see the Jersey Devil :)"
"Best part about the campground is that it's right on the 50 mile Batona Trail so it's a great stop-over assuming you've made reservations. No first-come first-serve."
"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"
"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!"
from $3 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Enjoyed a site away from the crowds. Quiet. Peaceful. Place is huge with many campsites to choose from. Checking in is slow so come early."
"Walked from Batson to atsion 10 mile hike, campground was 5 miles in. The campground is open, it was closed because of covid in 2020"
"The campground is very close to home, and a lot of people around our area (central jersey) go there yearly or have seasonal sites there, but for us, it was our first time at the campground."
"Very nice wading river next to the camp grounds. You can tube down the river from one end of camp to the other."
"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."
from $31 - $50 / night
Check Availability"The pool and surrounding amenities are nice and clean including lake, snack bar, and ice cream
WOULD WE COME BACK?Absolutely, this is a nice place for a few days of downtime."
TravelerMany 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.
ScoutThis 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.
GuideThis 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.
ScoutRestrooms 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.
ScoutMy check in was for 8-6-2026, and bc I’m a new driver and wanted to beat traffic I got there early (7am) so I sit there waiting till check in time. When suddenly the park police show up. He’s accusing me of camping over night there. I told him simply I wasn’t and where I was night prior (would never sleep somewhere without permission). So we go to the store to kill time before we check in. Come back for Check in and the whole staff in just the office alone were so arrogant and cold to my mom and I, leaving rude comments to us and not only where they like that but the staff outside the office was acting like that alongside the rangers and park police. They would watch us the whole visit in the distance parking there cars a little ways watching everything we did,even driving by slowly a bunch of times in just an hour alone. My mom and I couldn’t do anything with out them showing up 2 mins later. Example we were walking our dog enjoying our time(trying to) and all of a sudden one of the office ladies pulls up right in front of us speeding, parks their car, gets out and walks a distance from us standing there and taking pictures of us…. For walking our dog who’s on a leash and didn’t even do anything. The whole trip we felt uncomfortable and unwanted and to find out they police when we were going on walks where coming up to campers near us bribing them with free firewood to get any information on use (told to us by other camper). I paid a lot of money to be harassed and followed the whole time. We never did anything we abide by every rule and keep to ourselves everywhere we go. They even made my mother cry…
GuideBeautiful campground but made the mistake of going on a holiday weekend, the campgrounds next to us were screaming and blasting music all day and throughout the night so we ended up leaving early. A beautiful campground when there aren’t noisy capers ruining it.
ScoutAs far as experience it was good. The main issue was the campsite where we were was uneven and caused many of the sleeping arrangements that we had to be not level. This seems to be a specific issue to the group campsite number two as when we went inwards it seemed like everything else was much better.
ScoutFirst time at this campground really like it a lot will be returning. The bathrooms are always clean. The grounds are always kept up. Just a really nice place to stay. Most of the sites have some kind of shade.
ScoutStayed three nights in a tent and enjoyed it very much. Sites have electrical hookups, shared water connections, large picnic table, and fire ring with adjustable grate. Electrical and water are at the outer edge of each site so you might want an extension cord and/or hose. Bathrooms are clean; showers have separate stalls but they’re clustered together (not the most private). There are hiking and biking trails, a lake, and archery park. Staff are friendly. Office is open through 9pm, and firewood, ice, and bait for fishing are available. Site C3 is in an okay spot; it’s close to the bathroom and laundry room, but also right next to the playground. We were able to visit the beach; easy 25 minute drive to Asbury Park.
Campers visiting Atco, New Jersey find themselves in the heart of New Jersey's Pine Barrens, characterized by sandy soil, dense pine forests, and tannic-stained waterways. The area's generally flat terrain makes for accessible camping, though the sandy composition can create challenges after rainfall. Most established campgrounds operate from April through October, with limited winter camping options in the region's variable climate that ranges from hot, humid summers to mild winters.
Trail exploration: The Batona Trail runs directly through several campgrounds and offers miles of hiking through distinctive Pine Barrens ecosystem. At Batona — Wharton State Forest, "trailheads begin directly from campsites. Trails vary in length but all are flat and easily accessible," notes a visitor.
Water activities: The region's numerous lakes and rivers provide excellent paddling opportunities. At Hospitality Creek Campground, waterfront sites accommodate personal watercraft. "It was a lot of fun watching the cows eating and interacting. I intentionally reserved the site we had to be close," mentions a camper who enjoyed the unique setting by the water.
Historical exploration: Several campgrounds provide convenient access to preserved colonial-era sites. "Down at the Atsion office a mile away they can sell you firewood as well. Picalilli Inn isn't far, they have great wings. Batsto is a 15 minute drive," explains a camper describing local attractions near campsites in Wharton State Forest.
Fishing: Multiple ponds and lakes throughout the region offer fishing opportunities for various species. At Old Cedar Campground, visitors mention the fishing is "great" and children "caught bass" in the on-site fishing areas.
Privacy levels: Many campsites near Atco provide well-spaced accommodations. At Brendan Byrne State Forest, "Nice and quiet, sites are spaced out enough to offer privacy. Good trees for hammocking! Plenty of room for a few tents at each site," explains one reviewer.
Water access: Direct access to lakes and rivers ranks high among camper preferences. "We stayed 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," shares a visitor who enjoyed waterside camping at Wharton State Forest.
Natural setting: The distinctive Pine Barrens ecosystem creates a unique backdrop for camping experiences. "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. Sites are nicely in the trees," describes a visitor to Goshen Pond — Wharton State Forest.
Distance from urban areas: Many campers appreciate feeling removed from civilization. "It's far away from traffic noise. You can't hear any cars or any other noise from civilization at all. It's at least 10 miles away from anything more than a single house in the woods. 5 miles away from the main road," notes a camper at Brendan Byrne State Forest.
Bugs and ticks: Multiple campgrounds report significant tick and insect issues. "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," warns a camper at Goshen Pond Campground.
Limited services: Many primitive sites require preparation for minimal amenities. "Vault toilets, but has potable water available and you're right off the water," describes one camper at Goshen Pond, while another mentions at Mullica River — Wharton State Forest that there are "2 outhouses (hold your breath)."
Sandy roads: The region's terrain creates distinctive driving conditions. "The road into the campground is about 1 mile of loose sand. It can be accessed by a standard vehicle," notes a camper at Batona Campground.
Variable site sizes: Campsite dimensions differ widely even within the same campground. "Our site was very quiet, but a lot of the sites are close together without any barriers, so if the campground got crowded it wouldn't be very private," reports a Goshen Pond visitor.
Recreation facilities: Family-friendly campgrounds often feature dedicated play areas and organized activities. At Old Cedar Campground, "My grandchildren loved visiting us, pool was clean - they had a few items that they could borrow - fishing was great - playground was adequate. Mini golf was fun for all. There was also activities for the younger kids - making slime."
Weekend planning: Family-oriented sites tend to fill quickly during peak times. "In season tons of hourly activities for the kids. 1 thing i dont like is the excessively high prices. i think all sites should be for 2 adults and 2-3 kids. this Campground you must pay for even having one kid," mentions a visitor to Hospitality Creek Campground.
Swimming options: Lake swimming provides relief during summer months. "The pools are nice and have on-duty lifeguards all day. We rode our bikes around, enjoyed time on the lake in a rented paddleboat," explains a visitor describing family activities at Hospitality Creek.
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local fauna. "The most unique aspect we found was the cow pasture. It was a lot of fun watching the cows eating and interacting," shares a camper who stayed at Old Cedar Campground.
Site accessibility: Navigating to campsites requires advance planning. At Jellystone Park South Jersey, a visitor notes their site "included a nice concrete pad big enough to park our 45' motorhome+ toad" and was "roomy with plenty of mature shade trees."
Water connections: RVers should prepare for variable hookup configurations. "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," warns a visitor to Old Cedar Campground.
Wi-Fi reliability: Internet access varies greatly between campgrounds. One camper at Hospitality Creek reports, "The days of campgrounds not having to provide decent wifi are over (in my opinion). Lots of communications from the new owners of this campground describe the upgrades being planned."
Reservation requirements: Most full-service RV sites require advance booking. "This was part two of our shakedown cruise for our new RV. We stayed just for one night, but wish we could have stayed longer. We were met at the entry gate with a personalized folder containing lots of helpful information for our stay," shares an RVer who stayed at Hospitality Creek.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Atco, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Atco, NJ is Atsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest with a 4.2-star rating from 26 reviews.
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