The New Jersey Pine Barrens surrounds the Mantua area with sandy, acidic soil that supports a unique ecosystem of pine and oak trees. Located just 16 miles from Philadelphia, the region sits at a low elevation of 95-125 feet above sea level, making it accessible for year-round camping with minimal steep terrain. Sites in this area often feature tent pads on level ground that drain quickly after rain.
What to do
Hiking trails exploration: At Brendan Byrne State Forest, several miles of trails wind through the Pine Barrens ecosystem. "Lots of trails nearby, though some of the trails are shared with motorized vehicles/bicyclists," notes camper Vinayak. The forest offers excellent opportunities for plant identification with native species like "blueberry, viburnum, clethra, and meadow beauty" visible along trail edges.
Fishing in multiple locations: The region offers several fishing spots with different species. At Old Cedar Campground, one visitor mentioned, "Nice pool, good fishing, staff is great." For more serious anglers, Parvin State Park contains "northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish" according to their website.
Canoe and kayak adventures: Philadelphia-West Chester KOA provides direct water access. "Being on the Brandywine, you can fish and rent canoes. The river is usually very calm and good for a float," shares Jim N. For beginners, this creates an ideal environment to practice paddling skills without fighting strong currents.
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Lums Pond State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its facilities. "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," reports Mark. This attention to cleanliness extends to their laundry facilities which are regularly maintained.
Well-spaced campsites: Campers appreciate the privacy at certain locations. At Brendan Byrne State Forest, Lindsay notes, "Sites are spaced out enough to offer privacy. Good trees for hammocking!" This separation between sites allows for a more natural camping experience without feeling crowded by neighbors.
Text notifications for activities: At Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA, campers receive convenient updates about ongoing events. "They offer so many activities during the day and text you so you don't forget," says Nicole S. This helps ensure families don't miss scheduled programming throughout their stay.
What you should know
Seasonal accessibility: Many campgrounds have limited dates of operation. Old Cedar Campground operates "April 21 to October 9," while others like Lums Pond remain open year-round. Parvin State Park runs from "April 1 to October 31," making advance planning essential depending on your travel dates.
Varying water quality: Water conditions differ significantly between parks. At Old Cedar Campground, Matt S. notes, "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." Bringing extension hoses proves helpful at many locations.
Yurt camping options near Mantua: For those seeking alternatives to tent or RV camping, yurt accommodations provide solid shelter with basic amenities. Yurt camping near Mantua, New Jersey offers protection from unexpected weather while maintaining a camping experience. "Cabins are more rustic than most, which I enjoyed," notes John S. about Parvin State Park's structures.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: French Creek State Park Campground features multiple play areas. "There is a very nice playground situated conveniently between the loops of the campground... and the best feature was the zip line. All kids and adults agreed it was the most fun!" shares Jen R. This central location makes supervising children easy from many campsites.
Kid-friendly water features: Jellystone Park South Jersey offers extensive water activities. "Splash pad is very fun so is the large blow up slide and pool area," according to Nicholas V. These water attractions provide cooling recreation during hot summer months.
Family-sized tent spaces: Consider site dimensions when bringing larger tents. At French Creek State Park, one camper warns, "many of the sites surrounding ours were very rocky and left little option for a larger than normal sized tent." Request specific site recommendations when making reservations if traveling with a large family tent.
Tips from RVers
Site approach challenges: Some campgrounds have narrow access roads that complicate large RV positioning. At Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, one RVer experienced difficulties: "I did have major trouble backing in because the road is too narrow for a 45' motorhome to back in on a nearly 90-degree angle." Consider requesting pull-through sites when available.
Full hookup availability: Wharton State Forest Atsion Recreation Area offers varying levels of services. "We stayed in Atsion in 2015: had flush toilets and was close to the checkin station/store as well as the beach on the lake," notes Dina S. RVers should confirm specific hookup capabilities before booking at state parks, as many offer electric-only connections.
Leveling conditions: Terrain varies considerably between campgrounds. At French Creek, "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze," according to Jen R. This feature simplifies stabilization for campers of all experience levels.
