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 Long Beach, NJ
Search destinations
Add dates
Tent campsites in the New Jersey Pine Barrens provide primitive experiences within proximity to Long Beach. Wharton State Forest offers several tent camping options including Batona Campground, Bodine Field, and Goshen Pond—each offering a distinctly rustic experience. The Batona Trail, spanning 50 miles through the forest, connects several of these tent camping areas, making them popular among hikers seeking overnight accommodations along the route.
Most tent sites feature sandy soil characteristic of the Pine Barrens ecosystem, providing naturally soft ground for sleeping but requiring stake alternatives for secure tent setup. Facilities are minimal, with many locations offering only pit toilets or composting outhouses. Potable water is available seasonally at some campgrounds including Batona and Bodine Field, but not during winter months. Fire pits are standard at designated sites, though campers should check current fire restrictions before arrival. Bear activity has been reported in the area, necessitating proper food storage practices at all tent campsites.
The unique Pine Barrens ecosystem creates distinctive tent camping conditions with nutrient-poor sandy soil supporting primarily pine trees that provide moderate shade. Tent campers have direct access to extensive trail systems, particularly from the Batona Campground where hiking paths begin directly from the campsites. Lower Forge Camp offers a more secluded backcountry tent camping experience requiring a 5+ mile hike from Atsion or a 7-mile trek from Batsto. Weekday camping typically provides greater solitude, as weekends can bring larger groups and increased noise levels. A review mentioned that "during the off-season and during the week, it's very peaceful, but during weekends it's very populated and tends to be pretty noisy." Many tent sites are situated near the characteristic dark-water streams and rivers of the Pine Barrens, with several campsites offering river access for paddling opportunities.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Long Beach (15)
1. 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."
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. Red Wing Lakes
"Swimming lake catch and release lake sells wood has bath houses, electric, water and sewer hookups. They always have something going on. And a skeet range http://www.redwinglakes.com/lakes.html"
4. 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."
5. 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."
6. 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."
7. 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."
8. Buttonwood Hill — Wharton State Forest
"Great location for Questival, would visit again. Easy access and felt very safe and secluded."
9. Lower Forge Camp
"Looking for a place to escape without having to drive out of your way to get to? Lower forge is the place."
Check Availabilityfrom $5 / night
10. Abbot Sawmill
"Close to the main roads but feels remote."
Drive Time
- 42 min from Atlantic City, NJ
- 1 hr 9 min from Vineland, NJ
- 1 hr 10 min from Trenton, NJ
- 1 hr 12 min from Philadelphia, PA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Long Beach, NJ
24 Photos of 15 Long Beach Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Long Beach, NJ
349 Reviews of 15 Long Beach Campgrounds
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.
- J
John Y.ScoutOcean 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.
Adeline M.GuideBrendan 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 Long Beach
The Pine Barrens tent camping areas near Long Beach, New Jersey feature cedar-stained waterways that create distinctive dark waters throughout the region. The sandy soil common to these sites ranges from fine white sand to coarser variants, with the ground temperature remaining notably cooler than air temperature due to the pine canopy's shade. Camping elevation remains relatively consistent throughout the region, typically between 100-150 feet above sea level with minimal topographical changes.
What to do
Kayaking on cedar-tinted waters: Hawkins Bridge Campground offers direct water access for paddlers looking to explore the distinctive dark waters of the Wading River. A camper noted, "We put in the water the next day and travel 10 miles to Bodine Fields campground... Wading river has a nice flow. It's a dark black river from the tannins." The river's natural color comes from decaying pine vegetation rather than pollution.
Hiking the interconnected trail system: Batona — Wharton State Forest provides direct trail access from the campgrounds. According to a reviewer, "Best part of this campground is trailheads begin directly from campsites. Trails vary in length but all are flat and easily accessible." These sandy trails connect multiple camping areas across the forest.
Fishing in Pine Barrens waters: Bodine Field — Wharton State Forest campers can access nearby Harrisville Pond for fishing opportunities. One camper explained, "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. Good fishing for pickerel as well as a decent trail that goes around the entire pond."
What campers like
Off-the-grid solitude: Lower Forge Camp requires effort to reach but rewards with remoteness. A camper shared, "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."
Private sites among the pines: Goshen Pond Campground offers secluded tent camping options. One camper mentioned, "The boyfriend and I stayed for a weekend at one of the primitive tent sites. Our site was private and secluded." Another added, "Great secluded sites available. There are also spots near the camp store and river that are more 'centrally' located if that's what you're after."
Sandy soil for comfortable tent setup: Hawkins Bridge provides unusually comfortable ground for tent campers. A reviewer explained, "The ground is soft and comfortable to sleep on (NOT rocky at all, like almost weird how few rocks there are). It also means that there is plenty of kindling to gather for fires." This soft, sandy soil is consistent with the best tent camping near Long Beach, New Jersey.
What you should know
Seasonal crowds and noise levels: Tent camping experiences vary dramatically depending on timing. At Bodine Field, a camper observed, "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."
Tick prevalence throughout region: Mullica River — Wharton State Forest and surrounding areas require vigilance against ticks. A camper at Goshen Pond warned, "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."
Limited facilities at most sites: Expect primitive accommodations at most tent sites near Long Beach. At Bodine Field, a reviewer noted, "Very rustic and secluded, no showers/running water. Outhouses all around the campground." Another mentioned, "Potable water is available along with a couple Porta potties. Creek access, if you wanted to go kayaking."
Sandy access roads: Vehicle access to many campgrounds involves navigating sandy terrain. A Batona camper explained, "The road into the campground is about 1 mile of loose sand. It can be accessed by a standard vehicle." Standard passenger vehicles can navigate these roads but may struggle in extremely dry or wet conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campsites with activity options: Tip Tam Camping Resort offers numerous amenities for children. A camper reported, "The place was fun... they have peddle cars and playgrounds. They deliver wood to your site by the truck full!" Another mentioned, "There is plenty to do or not. Kids can go. Mini golf, swimming, pedal cars."
Set noise expectations: Family tent camping near Long Beach may not offer complete quiet. A Tip Tam visitor noted, "The only downside I saw was people here are up way to early. 7am place was already loud. 7:45am a propane truck pulled in the full the propane and was extremely loud." Consider weekday visits for quieter experiences.
Prepare for sandy conditions: Pine Barrens camping features sandy soil throughout, which affects tent stability. According to one camper at Bodine Field, "Very sandy area. There is a little river area within the site which is fun." Sand stakes or alternative anchoring methods help secure tents in these conditions.
Water activities provide cooling options: When temperatures rise, water access becomes important for families. One Goshen Pond camper shared, "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."
Tips from RVers
RV size limitations: Most Pine Barrens campgrounds accommodate only smaller RVs. A Batona camper noted, "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."
Campground accessibility challenges: Abbot Sawmill offers RV access that feels remote despite being accessible. A camper mentioned, "Close to the main roads but feels remote," making it suitable for RVers seeking a more natural camping experience without difficult access.
Limited hookup availability: Most tent camping areas near Long Beach offer no hookups, though Red Wing Lakes provides more amenities. A seasonal camper explained, "Swimming lake catch and release lake sells wood has bath houses, electric, water and sewer hookups." These represent some of the few full-service options for RVers seeking the best tent camping near Long Beach, New Jersey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Long Beach, NJ?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Long Beach, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Long Beach, NJ is Bodine Field — Wharton State Forest with a 3.8-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Long Beach, NJ?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Long Beach, NJ?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Long Beach, NJ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring