Camping cabins near Pemberton, New Jersey sit within the unique Pine Barrens ecosystem, characterized by nutrient-poor sandy soil and pine forests that create the signature dark-colored rivers in the region. The area features multiple state forests with sandy terrain that's soft for tent camping but can be challenging for RV navigation during wet periods. Winter temperatures in cabin accommodations can drop significantly without proper heating systems.
What to do
Paddling adventures: Wading River provides excellent kayaking and canoeing routes with convenient campground access. At Wharton State Forest Hawkin Bridge Campground, "There's water access behind Group Campsite A for kayaking or canoeing. The path down to it is steep and a little slippery, so use caution," notes one visitor. The river features dark water from natural tannins rather than pollution.
Historical exploration: Visit historic buildings and ruins along the dirt roads near several campgrounds. A visitor to Atsion Family Camp mentioned, "In the area there are historic buildings and ruins you get to by 'off roading' on all dirt roads." The Atsion Recreation Area maintains structures that showcase the region's past.
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park offers a dedicated archery range with hay barrels for target practice. "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels," suggests one camper who visits regularly. The range is open during regular park hours and doesn't require additional fees beyond camping costs.
What campers like
Large, private sites: Bass River State Forest provides spacious camping areas with good separation between sites. According to a recent visitor, "A beautiful camping area that is affordable, each site is very large, very clean and well maintained, bathrooms and showers 24/7." Another noted, "The campground area is very large and signed extremely well making finding your campsite easy."
Proximity to attractions: Indian Rock RV Resort and Campground serves as a convenient base for visiting Six Flags Great Adventure. One camper shared, "We would camp here again to go to six flags because it was easy to drive back a few minutes after a long day at the park." The drive takes approximately 5-10 minutes, making it possible to return to camp for meals.
Pine Barrens ecosystem: Brendan Byrne State Forest offers immersion in the unique Pine Barrens environment. A longtime visitor explained, "It's in the great NJ pine barrens. This place is fantastic! The smells, the sounds, the wildlife. Love it." The forest contains hundreds of miles of trails through woods and bogs.
What you should know
Road conditions: Sand and dirt roads can be challenging in several campgrounds, especially after rain. At Wading Pines Camping Resort, "Roads into the place are single car only, with a good amount of spots to pull off if you find your self head to head with another vehicle. Pretty bumpy road." Plan arrival during daylight hours for easier navigation.
Tick activity: Multiple campgrounds report significant tick presence, especially in spring and early summer. One visitor to 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." Pack repellent and perform regular tick checks.
Water temperature variations: Shower facilities often have inconsistent hot water availability. At Indian Rock RV Resort, "Unfortunately, the bathhouse near our site had no hot water, but they were working on it." Check with camp staff about current water status upon arrival.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Butterfly Camping Resort maintains a large swimming pool that requires monitoring during busy periods. "The swimming pool was large and the water crystal clear," noted a visitor, though another mentioned, "After 2 hours of swimming a panty liner was spotted floating around. We alerted the staff who then came, picked it up and threw it out."
Specialized camping weekends: Timberland Lake Campground offers themed weekend activities, particularly during Halloween. "We went to timberland lake last fall. It happened to be the Halloween weekend which was full of excellent activities from pumpkin painting to piñatas and tricker treating," shared one family. These events typically run from late September through October.
Beach access: Several campgrounds provide lake beaches for swimming. At Atsion Family Camp, "While camping at atsion family campground, you have free access to the recreation center (the beach and some trails)." The beach areas have designated swimming hours with some lifeguard supervision during peak summer months.
Tips from RVers
Site surfaces: Many campgrounds feature sandy sites that can be messy for RV camping. At Butterfly Camping Resort, a visitor observed, "The site was sandy. The whole place is sandy. This is messy, especially after a bit of rain, and makes it a constant challenge to keep the sand out of the RV."
Porch screening: When renting cabins, check if the screened porches are intact to prevent insects. Several locations offer waterfront cabins with porches, but screening quality varies by location and maintenance schedule.
Internet connectivity: WiFi quality varies dramatically between campgrounds, with many offering limited or no service. One camper at Butterfly Camping Resort mentioned, "They offer wifi which is nice to have, but it didn't work very well." Consider bringing a personal hotspot for necessary connections.
