Campgrounds near Pitman, New Jersey offer diverse camping experiences within Salem and Gloucester counties, where the terrain consists primarily of lowlands and pine forests. The region's sandy soil creates unique camping conditions with many sites featuring mulch or sand bases rather than grass. Most campgrounds maintain moderate temperatures from April through October with summer humidity levels requiring proper ventilation in tents and RVs.
What to do
Lake activities at Crane's Lake: Hospitality Creek Campground provides access to a swimming lake with boating options. "We ordered food from their website which was promptly delivered to our site. That was cool. We had great wifi connectivity. And the firewood they sold burned for several hours," notes a visitor who appreciated the waterfront amenities.
Historical exploration nearby: Take a short drive to Batsto Village from Atsion Recreation Area for a glimpse into the region's industrial past. "Across the street from the entrance is a home that sells sundries and firewood. Down at the Atsion office a mile away they can sell you firewood as well. Picalilli Inn isn't far, they have great wings. Batsto is a 15 minute drive," mentions a camper who enjoyed exploring the area.
Zip lining adventures: Several campgrounds are located within 30 minutes of adventure parks offering zip line courses. "There are little trails around the campsite too," notes one camper at Atsion Family Camp, highlighting the blend of on-site and nearby activities available to visitors.
What campers like
Spacious waterfront sites: Campers appreciate the lakefront options at Hospitality Creek Campground, especially for those with kayaks. "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," reports one visitor who enjoyed the premium waterfront placement.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The natural setting at several campgrounds provides chances to observe local wildlife. "In addition to the peaceful vibe, the people are friendly, the little office store has everything you forgot to pack, and 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," says a camper at Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA.
Clean bathroom facilities: Lums Pond State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its well-maintained facilities. "Great bath houses, always super clean," notes a recent visitor, while another mentions that "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease."
What you should know
Varying water quality: Some campgrounds in the region have water with high mineral content. At Parvin State Park Campground, one 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. Most of the showers were out of order."
Sandy soil conditions: The region's natural soil composition affects campsite conditions. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Elmer, a visitor observed, "The entire campground is sand and gets very dusty and messy. This was the dirtiest campground we've stayed at, meaning the trailer and truck needed a full bath once we got home."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "Verizon cell service was between 1 and 2 bars," reported a camper at Parvin State Park, while others mention inconsistent wifi at various locations despite advertised services.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: Jellystone Park South Jersey offers multiple water recreation options. "The pool and surrounding amenities are nice and clean including lake, snack bar, and ice cream," notes a visitor who stayed for Father's Day weekend.
Playground accessibility: Choose campsites with convenient access to play areas if traveling with small children. At Parvin State Park, a visitor mentioned, "Site is great for people with families as there was a playground within 50 feet so it is a bit louder and busier."
Activity schedules: Dog friendly campgrounds near Pitman often provide structured activities for children. At Old Cedar Campground, one camper shared, "Every Saturday they had an organized activity for the kids…. EVERYONE was extremely friendly. I will definitely return - best kept secret!!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup positions: Be prepared with extra hose length at some campgrounds. "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," advises an RVer from Old Cedar Campground.
Road conditions: Many pet-friendly camping areas near Pitman have unpaved access roads. "Roads into the place are single car only, with a good amount of spots to pull off if you find yourself head to head with another vehicle. Pretty bumpy road," notes a visitor to Atsion Family Camp at Wharton State Forest.
Site specifications: Check for concrete pads if traveling during rainy seasons. At Jellystone Park South Jersey, a camper appreciated that "Our site included a nice concrete pad big enough to park our 45' motorhome+ toad."
Legend
