Brendan Byrne State Forest provides cabin camping options within New Jersey's Pine Barrens, 20 miles from Manahawkin. The forest's sandy terrain consists predominantly of pine and oak trees, with elevations ranging between 80-200 feet above sea level. Campsites feature a mix of sun and shade coverage, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 75-90°F during daytime hours and cooler nights in the 60s.
What to do
Trail exploration: The network of hiking paths at Turkey Swamp Park includes several short routes, with the longest extending 2.5 miles. Some sections become muddy due to swamps and bogs but remain passable. A visitor noted, "There are several short hiking trails that are fairly well-marked but can be a bit confusing at times."
Water activities: Fish, boat, or paddle at designated areas throughout the warmer months. "There is a lake with a boat dock and a small boardwalk. Kayaking/Canoeing, fishing, and swimming. In the summer, canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental," according to one camper at Turkey Swamp Park.
Archery practice: Several equestrian campgrounds near Manahawkin offer archery ranges for visitors. One camper at Allaire State Park noted, "Plenty to do over a 2 night stay. Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking. Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Brendan Byrne State Forest, campers appreciate the natural separation between sites. One reviewer mentioned, "Lots of good hiking trails, most the sites have pretty decent privacy from the other ones."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers are consistently mentioned in reviews. A camper at Brendan Byrne State Forest stated, "Very well maintained campsites and facilities."
Quiet atmosphere: The distance from major roadways creates a peaceful camping experience. As one camper described, "It's far away from traffic noise. You can't here 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. It just makes for better camping."
What you should know
Tick awareness: Ticks are prevalent throughout New Jersey's wooded areas, especially during warmer months. A camper at Turkey Swamp Park reported, "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2. That was so crazy because we were just sitting by our camper."
Campfire regulations: Some campgrounds restrict fire usage to specific hours. At Allaire State Park, fires can only burn during certain timeframes. One camper mentioned, "Only weird rule I saw was that fires can only go from 6pm till 7am which was odd but wasn't a deal breaker."
Site boundaries: Campsite limits can be unclear at some locations. A visitor to Brendan Byrne State Forest explained, "The rules of the campsites are ambiguous on the website and when we first arrived were unaware that if using an RV in a tent site you are not allowed to add another tent to the site. There is a two tent limit per site despite the site allowing up to 6 people."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several New Jersey horse campgrounds near Manahawkin include dedicated play areas for children. A visitor to Turkey Swamp Park shared, "There are playgrounds and picnic areas as well."
Bug preparation: Pack appropriate insect repellent and protective clothing, especially when camping with children. One family with young children had a positive experience, noting, "We went camping with our 2- and 3-year-old kids. We were worried about bugs, but we didn't even use mosquito repellent and didn't get a single bite!"
Trail difficulty: Most paths are relatively flat and suitable for families with children. A camper at Brendan Byrne commented, "The trail system includes miles of sandy paths through pine forests with minimal elevation changes, making for accessible hiking conditions."
Tips from RVers
Water hookups: At some campgrounds, spigot locations can be inconvenient. A camper at Brendan Byrne State Forest observed, "Spacious campsite, although the closest water spigot wasn't working. Not a big problem as there are plenty of others."
Site leveling: Most sites offer relatively flat terrain but come prepared for minor adjustments. According to one RVer at Turkey Swamp Park, "Nice, remote, private. Some sites unlevel. Bring a LONG water hose."
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections are available at select sites, but placement varies. A camper noted, "Campsites are roomy with electric and water hookups. They don't have primitive campsites so your stuck paying the higher rate even though you don't need the hookups."
