Camping near Palmyra, New Jersey offers options throughout the New Jersey Pine Barrens and neighboring states. The region sits at low elevation (under 100 feet above sea level) with a humid subtropical climate that supports camping from April through November, with several campgrounds open year-round. Winter temperatures typically drop to the low 30s, while summer highs often exceed 85°F with significant humidity.
What to do
**Fishing opportunities: **At Turkey Swamp Park, fishing enthusiasts can cast lines at the lake stocked with various species. One camper noted, "There is a pretty lake with good fishing and they sell bait at the Ranger office."
Hiking trails: Brendan Byrne State Forest offers extensive trail networks within the Pine Barrens. A visitor commented, "There are probably hundreds of miles of trails through the woods and bogs to explore. Can't tell you how much I love it. Could spend a whole vacation just with these trails and never leave this state park."
Water activities: French Creek State Park Campground has two lakes available for recreation. One reviewer wrote, "We spent Saturday afternoon fishing but not catching anything at Scott's Run. It's a beautiful location and it was still a fun way to spend the day with the kids away from the site."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Lums Pond State Park Campground receives high marks for maintenance. A camper shared, "This place is a gem, even among nice state parks...Beautiful park setting with fantastic site— spacious, level, good-working hookups, and paved."
Spacious sites: At Turkey Swamp Park, the layout provides privacy between campsites. As one visitor described it, "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest. Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy."
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the peaceful settings. A visitor to Brendan Byrne State Forest noted, "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."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Some campgrounds in the region have limited operating seasons. At Atsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest, you'll find year-round operations, but Washington Crossing State Park is temporarily closed for 2024.
Site conditions: The terrain varies across campgrounds. At Turkey Swamp Park, "All roads and camper pads are dirt. There are some ADA sites but the only thing distinguishing them from others is their proximity to the bathroom."
Wildlife concerns: Ticks can be an issue in wooded areas. One camper at Turkey Swamp Park warned, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Timberland Lake Campground offers multiple recreation options for children. A visitor reported, "Plenty of activities for the kids with park area and pool. They do also offer golf cart rental for those wanting explore the park."
Weekend activities: Some campgrounds organize special events. At Timberland Lake, "They do their own haunted walk through that is just awesome! Everyone decorates. They have a dj every Saturday! Plenty of activities for the kids."
Swimming options: Many campgrounds feature pools or swimming areas. French Creek State Park has swimming facilities, as one visitor mentioned: "The pool was closed, but it looked nice. We did take our inflatable kayak out on the water, and it was lovely!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Check utility placement before setting up. At Old Cedar Campground, "The water hookups are shared every other site. I was lucky my 75' hose barely reached the distance needed. Be sure to bring extra hoses."
Leveling requirements: Some sites require minimal adjustment. At Lums Pond State Park, a camper noted, "The site was fairly level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back. That was a bonus."
Site selection: For those seeking luxury glamping in Palmyra, New Jersey and surrounding areas, some campgrounds offer premium sites. At French Creek State Park, "Loop A has very spacious, less rocky sites, however, there was little shrubbery between each site, making them less private than the sites in Loop C."
