The Pilesgrove region sits at the intersection of New Jersey's agricultural belt and Pine Barrens, with elevations ranging from 30-100 feet above sea level. Winter camping temperatures often drop below freezing from December through February, while summer months typically see highs in the 80s with moderate humidity. Campgrounds in this area remain accessible year-round, though water systems at some locations shut down during colder months.
What to do
Lake activities: 15-minute drive from most Pilesgrove area campgrounds, Lake Nummy offers swimming, fishing, and kayaking. At Belleplain State Forest, "You can rent boats. There are little trails around the campsite too," according to a visitor.
Hiking local trails: under 5 miles from most campsites, the region offers both easy and moderate paths. "We biked the trails, and hiked others that didn't allow bikes. They are putting in new bathrooms at Miesle this year," notes one Belleplain visitor.
Historic site exploration: 20-30 minute drive to nearby attractions. A camper at French Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "There is the Reading and Berks County Visitors Bureau and Chester County Visitors Bureau, State Game Lands 43, Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site and Daniel Boone Homestead."
Seasonal events: weekends only at most campgrounds from April through October. During Halloween season, a camper noted Mays Landing Resort had "Halloween decorations were the best. The playground was great my daughter really enjoyed the scavenger hunt."
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between campsites. At Lums Pond State Park Campground, "The sites are large and well spaced. Many are in full sun. The bathroom facilities and laundry are clean and modern. There are separate, individual shower rooms."
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness varies by location but is generally good. "The bath house in this loop was adequate and includes two dish washing stations outside. The showers had good pressure and hot water," reported a French Creek camper.
Family-friendly activities: Most campgrounds include playgrounds and scheduled events. A visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park - Elmer said, "Water area is great, splash pad is very fun so is the large blow up slide and pool area. Has a full grill inside with a large 'convenience store' with everything you could need."
Access to fishing: Most campgrounds have fishing ponds or lakes. "Wharton state forest provided us with the great outdoor and camping experience! The campside was clean, spacious, includes the firepit and the table," shared an Atsion Family Camp visitor.
What you should know
Site variations: Terrain and amenities differ significantly between sites. At Parvin State Park Campground, a camper noted, "Bathrooms were clean but most of the faucets on the sinks were broken. The water has a very high iron content. I couldn't even use it for tooth brushing."
Seasonal limitations: Most glamping options near Pilesgrove close between November and March. "This is a great location for exploring Philadelphia. Note- this does close for winter and reopens in April but call park for exact closure dates because they do change," advised a Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA visitor.
Reservation requirements: Book 3-6 months ahead for peak season weekends (May-September). For Lums Pond, a camper explained, "I understand why it is so difficult to get a reservation at Lums Pond. I don't know if it's the host campers or the management, but they're definitely doing something right."
Noise levels: Weekend evenings can be louder at family-oriented campgrounds. A visitor to Mays Landing Resort shared, "On Saturday night, there is a DJ and a dance party from 7-10 pm. It is extraordinarily loud and somewhat impossible to navigate a car through that many people."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose sites near play areas for convenience. At Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, "The camp playground was brand new when we arrived and they had just broken ground. There are two different playground in the same area to accommodate kids of all ages."
Water activities: Bring water shoes for lake swimming areas. A Parvin visitor mentioned, "The actual beach is gated and have to pay an additional fee," so budget accordingly for these extras.
Programming benefits: Most glamping sites near Pilesgrove offer structured kids' activities. At Jellystone Park - Elmer, a camper noted, "They had a breakfast, games and crafts geared towards it. The pool and splash park were great but you needed to be at least 42 inches to go on the slide or bounce house."
Campsite selection strategy: Request sites away from main roads for safety. "The entire lure of this park was the lake, which is fully mandated. There are no openings or public spots for fishing, beside one very small dock," warned a Parvin visitor, highlighting the importance of researching site-specific limitations.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many campsites require blocks for proper leveling. At Mays Landing Resort, "Site are very unleveled so the staff switched us to a pull thru space that was a tad bit more level but still very unleveled."
Space limitations: Site dimensions vary widely across glamping options near Pilesgrove. "We paid $135/night for Back-in Patio Site#25. A bit pricey considering the lack of elbow room, but it's a great site and everything is well-kept. There was just barely enough room for the motorhome and Jeep Wrangler," noted a Philadelphia-West Chester KOA visitor.
Road navigation: Internal campground roads can be challenging for larger rigs. "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," cautioned another Philadelphia-West Chester KOA camper.
Utility placement: Hook-up locations may require extra hoses or cords. "Lums Pond site offered electric and water but they were on 2 different sides. This made it difficult to set up. Had to park the camper crooked to use both," shared a Lums Pond visitor.
