Turkey Swamp Park
Water/power at the campsite, and and centrally located dump station. Lots of trees and nice separation of sites
1 campground with availability this weekend
Wharton State Forest offers multiple tent-only campsites within 30 miles of Clementon, New Jersey, with both walk-in and boat-accessible locations. Goshen Pond, Lower Forge, and Mullica River campgrounds provide primitive tent campsites in pine forest settings with varied levels of seclusion. Several sites are positioned along waterways, allowing tent campers direct access to creeks and rivers for filtering water or launching small watercraft.
Most tent campgrounds in the area feature basic amenities such as fire rings, but limited facilities otherwise. Vault toilets are available at some locations like Batona and Mullica River campgrounds, but many sites lack potable water sources. Walk-in tent sites typically require campers to park and carry their gear a short distance to reach their campsite. The sandy soil characteristic of the Pine Barrens provides comfortable ground for tent camping, though the area is known for abundant ticks during warmer months. Sites generally operate seasonally from April through October, with reservations required for most locations.
The tent camping experience near Clementon offers distinctive features related to the unique Pine Barrens ecosystem. The nutrient-poor, sandy soil supports primarily pine trees that create dappled shade over most campsites. Dark-colored rivers and streams run through the region, stained by natural tannins from decaying vegetation rather than pollution. Primitive backcountry sites like Lower Forge provide genuine seclusion, though they require hiking several miles to access. According to one visitor, "The unique ecosystem gives campers some advantages: the ground is soft and comfortable to sleep on—not rocky at all, like almost weird how few rocks there are." Another camper noted that Goshen Pond offers more privacy since "you park off and walk in to your site," resulting in less vehicle noise throughout the camping area.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"Looking for a place to escape without having to drive out of your way to get to? Lower forge is the place."
from $5 / night
"Terrific space for exploring"
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $57 / night
"Close to the main roads but feels remote."
"year ago with some refreshed insight, additional photos and, well, because once wasn’t enough, here’s a quick reel of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS: HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Hidden slice of suburban woodland tucked"
from $1 - $100 / night
"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."
"I’m following up on my review from over a year ago with new photos, updated weathered campers’ tales and a quick snapshot of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS: HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Rustic group camping nestled in nearly"
"The give you firewood—-if you bring your own, leave with any left over."
Available this weekend
from $28 - $72 / night











Water/power at the campsite, and and centrally located dump station. Lots of trees and nice separation of sites
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
As 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.
Camping options near Clementon, New Jersey center primarily around the Pine Barrens ecosystem which consists of approximately 1.1 million acres of sandy soil and pine forest. The region averages 46 inches of annual rainfall and maintains a distinctive acidic soil profile that supports specialized plant communities. Campsites typically sit at elevations between 50-100 feet above sea level, with ground temperatures that fluctuate significantly between day and night even during summer months.
Fishing in tannin-rich waters: The Mullica River at Wharton State Forest Mullica River Campground offers distinctive fishing opportunities in dark, tannin-stained waters. "We stayed at the Mullica River camp ground it is a hike or boat in only camp ground has a pump to get water and 2 outhouses (hold your breath) start hike kayak trIp at 206 hike 6 miles in camp then hike kayak out 5 miles to batsto," notes camper Ragen W.
Kayaking from waterside campsites: The waterways through Wharton State Forest provide direct kayak access. According to Anna D., "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. It's also a 5 minute drive from Atsion lake, a great place for kayaking and swimming."
Hiking the Batona Trail: The 50-mile Batona Trail runs through Wharton State Forest Batona Campground, making it ideal for multi-day backpacking trips. "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. Site 6 is one of the more private sites as it's tucked into the back corner," says reviewer Trip Over Life.
Sandy ground comfort: The distinctive sandy soil provides comfortable sleeping surfaces. "The Batona Campground in Wharton State Forest is a small campground best suited for tent campers. It can get busy (and rowdy) on weekends. The road into the campground is sand," notes Trip Over Life.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The Pine Barrens ecosystem hosts distinctive wildlife. At Fort Washington State Park Campground, "Should you call yourself a bird watcher, you'll be particularly interested as from this very spot you can view the beautiful raptors that migrate here on a seasonal basis in both the Spring and Autumn," mentions Stuart K.
Primitive seclusion: Backpackers seeking remote tent camping appreciate the backcountry sites. "Lower forge is the place. One if the few places in New Jersey you have to backpack into with access from either (Atsion 5+ miles in) or Batsto (7 miles) located right on the Basto River you're even able to boat in. It's one of my personal favorites to disappear for a weekend and great for beginners who you're trying to break into backpacking," says James R.
Seasonal insect concerns: Pine Barrens camping areas have significant tick populations. At Bodine Field Campground, one camper notes, "Left Godfrey bridge CG for this one due to ticks and had no issues. Very beautiful and good mix of open and secluded sites."
Water quality confusion: The dark color of local waterways sometimes concerns first-time visitors but is natural. "Bodine Field is 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," explains Dan M.
Noise levels vary by timing: Several campgrounds experience significant variations in crowd levels and noise. "During the off season is in and during the week, it's very peaceful and awesome place to be. During the weekend it's very populated and tends to be pretty noisy. Potable water is available along with a couple Porta potties," notes Adeline M. about Bodine Field.
Geocaching opportunities: Family-oriented activities include geocaching throughout Wharton State Forest. "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," advises Dania J. about Mullica River Campground.
Accessible hiking trails: Lower Forge Camp offers flat terrain suitable for novice hikers. "It's one of my personal favorites to disappear for a weekend and great for beginners who you're trying to break into backpacking. Located right off the Batona trail your bound for adventure," notes James R.
Proximity to swimming areas: During summer months, nearby swimming locations provide cooling options. "Originally it was very hard to first locate the site, I believe it is on google maps since we went last, the welcome center will also give you coordinates to get there. The turn off is only labeled in one direction so keep an eye on both sides of the signs," advises Christian about Bodine Field Campground.
Site access limitations: Ridley Creek State Park near Clementon provides camping but with size restrictions. "However, there is only group tenting here. I would stay over in a heartbeat though as Im always here!" notes MsTrailBlazer.
Sandy access roads: Many campgrounds feature sandy approach roads requiring proper vehicle preparation. "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 RV amenities: Most campgrounds near Clementon offer minimal RV facilities. "Very rustic and secluded, no showers/running water. Outhouses all around the campground. Most of the campsites are kind of on top of each other besides a few and most of the group sites," mentions Adeline K. about Bodine Field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Clementon, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Clementon, NJ is Goshen Pond — Wharton State Forest with a 4.7-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Clementon, NJ?
TheDyrt.com has all 23 tent camping locations near Clementon, NJ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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