Camping options near Haddon Heights, New Jersey span across both wooded state forests and developed RV parks within a 20-mile radius. The region features lowland pine barrens with sandy soil in the east and rolling farmland to the west. Summer temperatures average 85-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping offers milder conditions with temperatures in the 60-70°F range.
What to do
Lake activities: Lake Kandle features a swimming lake with rope swings and two pools for additional water recreation. "Lake with swing and fishing and two pools. No pets no alcohol no store but they have a snack stand," notes Mya M., who recommends getting "an end campsite or your table will be by the sanitary dump."
Hiking trails: Wharton State Forest has extensive trail networks connecting different recreation areas. A visitor at Goshen Pond Campground remarked, "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."
Historical sites: The area includes preserved historic structures like the Atsion Mansion. As one camper at Atsion Family Camp shared, "In the area there are historic buildings and ruins you get to by 'off roading' on all dirt roads."
Philadelphia access: The region serves as a base for exploring Philadelphia. A camper at Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA explained, "This is a very nice KOA, just over the Delaware River from Philly. The park is clean, quiet, full of families. It's easy to navigate to the park from the interstate, and big rigs fit easily."
What campers like
Peaceful settings: The relative seclusion of certain sites provides quiet camping experiences. A camper at Wharton State Forest shared: "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."
Waterfront sites: Camping beside lakes or rivers ranks highly with visitors. At Hospitality Creek Campground, one visitor described: "Our lakefront site (#57) was superb! It was between a small, paved boat ramp and a row of arborvitae trees on the other side separating us from the neighboring site. The entire site was level and covered in mulch."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities matter to campers. A visitor to Clarksboro KOA noted: "The restrooms were immaculate compared to most campgrounds."
Wildlife viewing: The natural surroundings provide opportunities to observe local ecosystems. "If you look around the campground edges or follow the walking trail into the woods, you will find wonderful native plants like blueberry, viburnum, clethra, and meadow beauty," mentioned a camper at Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA.
What you should know
Seasonal variations: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Old Cedar Campground runs from April 21 to October 9, while others like Goshen Pond Campground operate from April 1 to October 31. Four Seasons Family Campground has a longer season from February 1 to December 31.
Booking requirements: Advance reservations become essential during peak season. At Hospitality Creek Campground, they offer "virtual check-in and payment online. This meant that we were handed a welcome packet at the front gate and sent on our way without delays for paperwork or payments."
Alcohol policies: Restrictions vary by location. While alcohol is prohibited at Wharton State Forest and Lake Kandle, other campgrounds like Old Cedar permit it. A visitor noted, "The website, posted signs, confirmation email, and check-in instructions all included a list of strict rules regarding conduct while on property."
Site privacy: Spacing between campsites differs significantly. A camper at Goshen Pond observed, "Our site was very quiet, but a lot of the sites are close together without any barriers, so if the campground got crowded it wouldn't be very private."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Scheduled events keep children engaged at developed campgrounds. At Four Seasons Family Campground, a visitor described it as "Very family oriented. Always tons of fun" with "a lake to swim or fish, to playgrounds, there's a convenient store and even an arcade."
Swimming options: Multiple water recreation options matter with children. One visitor described Hospitality Creek: "The pools are nice and have on-duty lifeguards all day. We rode our bikes around, enjoyed time on the lake in a rented paddleboat."
Camp delivery services: Some campgrounds offer convenience services. At Hospitality Creek, "They'll deliver firewood, ice, and food from the camp store to your site—that's classy."
Playground access: Play facilities make a significant difference for families with young children. "The place is so clean including the bathrooms. Everyone we came in contact with staff wise was so friendly," noted a visitor to Four Seasons, adding that they have a "beautiful pool, very nice playground and arcade."
Tips from RVers
Hookup specifics: Water connections may require extra equipment at some campgrounds. A visitor to Old Cedar Campground mentioned, "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. Be sure to bring extra hoses."
WiFi reliability: Internet access varies significantly. At Hospitality Creek, a visitor found "The park's wifi didn't work most of the time and was too slow when it did work to allow streaming or working on the computer."
Maneuvering space: Many campgrounds have tight turns for larger vehicles. A camper at Hospitality Creek noted, "The roads and turns were tight for our 36' motorhome, but manageable."
Seasonal site availability: Winter camping options are limited but exist. While most campgrounds close in October or November, Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA remains open year-round, providing off-season camping opportunities for RVers who need to stay in the area.
