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
Tent Camping near Seaside Park, NJ
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Tent camping options in central New Jersey's coastal region near Seaside Park include several established sites within Wharton State Forest and a few private campgrounds. The Pine Barrens ecosystem provides a unique backdrop for tent campers with sandy soil and pine forests characterizing most sites. Campgrounds like Tip Tam Camping Resort and Sandy Hook at Gateway National Recreation Area offer designated tent sites with varying levels of amenities.
Tent sites throughout the area typically feature soft, sandy ground with minimal rocky terrain, making for comfortable sleeping conditions. Wharton State Forest provides primitive tent camping at several locations including Batona, Hawkins Bridge, and Bodine Field campgrounds, all operating seasonally from April 1 to October 31. Most forest sites have limited facilities - typically vault toilets or composting outhouses and a central water pump. Tent campers should note that while fire rings are available at most locations, picnic tables are often absent at the more primitive sites. During summer weekends, popular walk-in tent sites can fill quickly, particularly at Goshen Pond and Mullica River campgrounds.
The Pine Barrens ecosystem creates a distinctive tent camping experience with naturally dark, tannin-stained rivers and abundant fallen pine trees providing natural kindling for campfires. Sites at Hawkins Bridge and Bodine Field campgrounds offer creek access for kayaking and canoeing opportunities. Tent campers frequently report the soft, even ground makes for comfortable sleeping without the need for clearing rocks. During weekdays or shoulder seasons, many tent sites remain quiet and uncrowded. As one camper noted, "Very rustic and secluded, no showers/running water. Outhouses all around the campground. Best during the week when not very many campers/groups are around." Walk-in tent sites typically provide more seclusion than drive-in options, though most are still accessible within a short distance from parking areas.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Seaside Park (16)
1. Tip Tam Camping Resort
"Just from walking around I saw the two pools, an RC track, bocci, shuffle and board. They did have organized activities set up as well."
"It feels like you're camping out in a field with mostly sand around. But having said that, I'd still recommend it for all of the positive they do have."
2. Batona — Wharton State Forest
"Bears frequent this campground so be bear aware and practice proper food storage. "
"The Batona Campground is in the northern area of the Wharton State Forest and is a bit removed from most trails and other campgrounds in the park."
3. Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area
"There are 20 tent sites spread across four loops. There is NO beach access. Some sites have shelters, others do not. Pay attention when reserving. All sites have a fire pit and picnic table."
"Bathrooms are serviceable overall (no showers as others have noted), and the place is intermittently staffed; bring everything you need."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 - $50 / night
4. Bodine Field — Wharton State Forest
"You’re right next to the wading river/creek with that amazing cedar water. As well as a quick drive Harrisville Pond which mine as well be a lake."
"Bodine Field is one of several camping locations within Wharton State Forest. I am writing this review over a year after our stay so forgive me if the details are lacking."
5. Pine Cone Campgrounds
6. NWS Earle RV Park
"Small campground W/ 8 spaces in the main area and 7 in an adjacent area. All spaces are level concrete With fill hookups and attached concrete patio."
7. Hawkins Bridge — Wharton State Forest
"Wharton State Forest has a few campsites available for primitive camping (my preferred choice). This is a review for HAWKINS BRIDGE."
"This is a primitive campsite near the river. There is water but just compost toilets that are bit few for the size campground."
8. Goshen Pond — Wharton State Forest
"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."
"The boyfriend and I stayed for a weekend at one of the primitive tent sites. Our site was private and secluded. We had a great time."
9. Mullica River — Wharton State Forest
"This campground is hike-in or boat-in only, no car access. We camped here for one night on an overnight loop in Wharton State Forest. Wild blueberries abound during summer months!"
"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."
10. Pleasant Valley Lavender
"So pleasant to sleep near the blooming fields. Campsite is tucked in the woods with. Tent camping in peace and quiet with easy access to major roads and highways to explore central NJ"
Check Availabilityfrom $35 - $50 / night
Drive Time
- 53 min from Atlantic City, NJ
- 55 min from Trenton, NJ
- 1 hr 14 min from Philadelphia, PA
- 1 hr 20 min from Vineland, NJ
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Seaside Park, NJ
31 Photos of 16 Seaside Park Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tip Tam Camping Resort
Hawkins Bridge — Wharton State Forest
Bodine Field — Wharton State Forest
Batona — Wharton State ForestM
Pleasant Valley LavenderE
Lower Forge Camp
Mullica River — Wharton State ForestR
Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation AreaY
Goshen Pond — Wharton State ForestA
Blueberry Morning
Tent Camping Reviews near Seaside Park, NJ
366 Reviews of 16 Seaside Park Campgrounds
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!
- 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.
Edwin R.ScoutCheesequake State Park Campground
Park uses county cops to shut down park by 9pm.
On Friday, September 4, 2026, I rented a trailer and brought my family to Cheesequake State Park to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary over the extended Labor Day weekend. Around 9:20 PM—well before the park's designated 10:00 PM quiet hours—we were sitting inside our canopy, playing Jenga, and listening to low background music. Two officers from the Matawan Police Department approached our campsite. They were polite and courteous, simply offering a standard reminder to wrap things up by 10:00 PM. Before they could leave, however, a third, senior officer intervened. Wanting to"show them how it's done," he made the two polite officers return and stand by to watch as he demonstrated how to aggressively harass campers. Flashlight in hand, the senior officer approached with an immediate hostile attitude, treating us like criminals as he demanded to know who rented the site. He began reiterating rules and claimed we had too many vehicles. We had three cars, one belonging to my brother-in-law's girlfriend, who was visiting with her daughter. She had paid the$10 visitor fee at the main office and was instructed by staff to obtain the gate access code from us, the primary renters, if she got locked in. No staff member ever informed her of an 8:00 PM visitor departure deadline, leading us to reasonably assume visitors were permitted until quiet hours began at 10:00 PM. The officer rudely snapped that she had been given wrong information. The senior officer then used profanity in front of three small children, aggressively telling her to ("get her shit and get the fuck out!") in that manner or use profanity, the officer went from hostile to furious. He angrily declared that these were official violations and threatened that he could be issuing us tickets instead. Desperately searching for anything and everything to throw at us, he demanded that we turn off our idling car—which was supplying power to our campsite—and instructed us to make sure the campfire was doused before shutting down for the night. He then proceeded to shine his flashlight into our private setup—including our canopy, tents, and the inside of our trailer—searching for any other possible violation while the two polite officers were forced to watch. What was supposed to be a special 10th wedding anniversary celebration with my family was completely ruined by a senior officer misusing his authority to put on an unnecessary display of intimidation. Worse than just ruining our night, he spent that evening teaching those two police officers how to be bad cops. He corrupted two officers in real time, demonstrating firsthand exactly why most people have lost faith in the police force. The next day we was ready for them. We turned off our lights and quietly by the fire while they went next door to harass an asian family that had just set up camp and had their leds lights on.
- Adeline M.Guide
Brendan Byrne State Forest
Beautiful campground, loud campers
Beautiful 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.
- CCarlos E.Scout
Turkey Swamp Park
Really nice campground
Stayed 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.
Nadine R.GuideAtsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest
Not my vibe
I personally did not like this campsite. First of all, our site tag was leftover from SEPTEMBER. Did no one look at any of these sites and leave someone else’s registration posted there for almost a year? Wild. Our campsite had trash leftover from previous campers. The whole campground was loud - from other campers to just the sounds from the nearby road. If you are looking for peace it is NOT here. If you’re looking to have loud music time all night with no repercussions as your kids ride around yelling and carrying on past midnight then you’ll have a blast. The pros of this campsite was supposed to be the access to Lake Atsion but we were turned away at the gate at 12:30 as they stated they were at capacity. Checking into our campsite they specifically asked if we would be utilizing the recreation area so we would have a pass for entry, but that’s seemingly not in their logistical headcount. I would not visit here again.
John L.ScoutWading Pines Camping Resort
Poor sites
I recently stayed at Site 36, and unfortunately, my experience was very disappointing. The biggest issue was the campsite itself. Site 36 is extremely small, with neighboring campers only about 5 feet away on one side and roughly 12 feet behind the site. There was very little privacy, which made it difficult to relax. Many of the nearby sites appeared to be occupied by long-term or permanent residents. Several had large amounts of personal belongings stored under tarps, giving the area an unkempt appearance. In addition, the neighboring campsite had children's bikes, large toys, and other miscellaneous items overflowing onto the site I had rented, making it feel even more cramped. Another major concern was the constant cigarette and marijuana smoke. It was noticeable throughout much of the day, and because of the smoke, I couldn't comfortably leave my camper windows open. At over $110 per night for a full hookup site, I expected a much better experience. I understand the campground told me there were no other sites available, although I did notice a few empty sites during my stay. Whether those sites were reserved or unavailable for another reason, I can't say, but Site 346 should not be rented at this price given its condition and lack of privacy. Overall, I would not stay here again and cannot recommend to anyone looking for a relaxing camping experience. Its great for daily tubing but as a camper they lock the fence that gets you to the bridge so you have to take a long walk around although non campers can pull right up, it makes no sense to have a pass through that's locked.
Guide to Seaside Park
Tent camping near Seaside Park, New Jersey provides access to the Atlantic coastline and the unique Pine Barrens ecosystem within a 30-mile radius. Summer temperatures average 85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions around 65-75°F. Most camping areas feature flat, sandy terrain with minimal elevation change, creating natural drainage during frequent summer thunderstorms.
What to do
Kayaking on Wading River: Access the water directly behind Batona — Wharton State Forest for paddling through tannin-stained waters. "It is so easy to get lost in these woods and I LOVE IT! 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!" notes Alyssa D.
Explore historical sites: Visit the aviation hanger at Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area with restored vintage aircraft. "The history housed on this base, with a hanger were full of old planes where dedicated veterans worked diligently to restore them, provided us up close inspection of multiple planes, including a mini-sized glider which we were granted personal access to get into," writes Susan B.
Family pedal cars: Children's activities at Tip Tam Camping Resort include pedal cars and mini-golf. "The place was fun.. they have peddle cars and playgrounds. They deliver wood to your site by the truck full! Nice little store and staff are all friendly," reports Jenn M.
What campers like
Beach proximity: From Bodine Field — Wharton State Forest, campers access both river swimming and nearby ocean beaches. "Very open basically sandy field with a handful of trees in the middle, group sites available. You're right next to the wading river/creek with that amazing cedar water. As well as a quick drive Harrisville Pond which mine as well be a lake," explains Dan M.
Privacy of walk-in sites: The tent sites at Goshen Pond — Wharton State Forest require a short walk from parking. "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," shares Elliott B.
Cleanliness and organization: Regular maintenance keeps facilities functional at most campgrounds. "The staff and campers are very friendly. Sites are nice and clean. The bathrooms and showers are kept clean. Over all a good place," states Bill V. about Tip Tam Camping Resort.
What you should know
Early morning noise: Some private campgrounds have early maintenance activity. "The only downside I saw was people here are up way too early. 7am place was already loud. 7:45am a propane truck pulled in the full the propane and was extremely loud. 8am people with leaf blowers and chopping wood. Don't expect to sleep past 7:30am," warns Bill V.
Tick precautions: The Pine Barrens ecosystem harbors ticks, especially in warmer months. "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," advises Eldad K. from Goshen Pond.
Vehicle restrictions: At Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area, campers must carry gear to sites. "No cars are permitted in the campground, so you will have to lug your gear to your spot so choose wisely my friends! No outside wood is permitted - but you can buy some in the store (cash only)," cautions Christy K.
Tips for camping with families
RC track activities: Families find structured activities at some private campgrounds. "My family and I stayed at Tip Tam this weekend. The owners and staff were very friendly and accommodating. The camp store was great also. As it is very early in the season the pools were not yet open but appear to be very nice. There are alot of activities with in the campground as well that were impressive. Just from walking around I saw the two pools, an RC track, bocci, shuffle and board," reports Dave B.
Wildlife education: Use the opportunity to teach children about the unique Pine Barrens ecosystem. "The boyfriend and I stayed for a weekend at one of the primitive tent sites. Our site was private and secluded. We had a great time," shares Ashley R. about her Goshen Pond experience, where the isolation allows for better wildlife viewing.
Security considerations: Military campgrounds provide enhanced security. "Small campground W/ 8 spaces in the main area and 7 in an adjacent area. All spaces are level concrete With fill hookups and attached concrete patio. It's only an hour from Manhattan & 20 more minutes from the shore. If you're planning a visit to either this campground is cheap, clean & quiet," notes Jeffrey about NWS Earle RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Site surfaces: RV pads vary significantly between private and public campgrounds. "All spaces are level concrete With fill hookups and attached concrete patio. Power is at the far back & sewage is in the middle (left to right). A longer camper will be parked over the sewage connection," advises Jeffrey about the military campground.
Access road conditions: Some forest campgrounds have sandy approach roads. "The road into the campground is about 1 mile of loose sand. It can be accessed by a standard vehicle. Site are suitable for tents or small campers. The unpaved road into the site is narrow and tree lined. A larger RV would not fit," explains meghan G. about Batona Campground.
Limited sewage placement: Connection positioning can be problematic for longer RVs. "Power is at the far back & sewage is in the middle (left to right). A longer camper will be parked over the sewage connection," notes Jeffrey from NWS Earle RV Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Seaside Park, NJ?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Seaside Park, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Seaside Park, NJ is Tip Tam Camping Resort with a 4.1-star rating from 9 reviews.
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tent camping near
Seaside Park, NJ?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Seaside Park, NJ?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Seaside Park, NJ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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