Tent camping opportunities near Pitman, New Jersey extend beyond Wharton State Forest to include options in eastern Pennsylvania and other New Jersey locations. Most sites in the region sit at elevations between 30-100 feet above sea level with sandy soil characteristic of the Pine Barrens ecosystem. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer more moderate conditions with temperatures between 50-70°F.
What to do
Kayaking access points: At Bodine Field — Wharton State Forest, campers can launch directly from the campground. "You're right next to the wading river/creek with that amazing cedar water. As well as a quick drive Harrisville Pond which mine as well be a lake," notes one visitor, highlighting the dual water access points for paddling.
Bird watching opportunities: Fort Washington State Park Campground offers exceptional bird watching within 35 minutes of Pitman. "Should you call yourself a bird watcher, you'll be particularly interested as from this very spot you can view the beautiful raptors that migrate here on a seasonal basis in both the Spring and Autumn," explains a reviewer who documented numerous species including "Dark-eyed Junco, Common Loon, Blue Heron, Osprey, Cooper's Hawk, Bald Eagles."
Trail connections: Many sites connect to established hiking systems. At Batona — Wharton State Forest, "Best part of this campground is trailheads begin directly from campsites. Trails vary in length but all are flat and easily accessible." This campground sits on the Batona Trail system, allowing campers to explore without driving to trailheads.
What campers like
Remote weekday experiences: Weekday camping at Bodine Field provides solitude that weekend campers miss. "During the off season is in and during the week, it's very peaceful and awesome place to be. During the weekend it's very populated and tends to be pretty noisy," explains one regular visitor. Many campgrounds throughout the region follow similar patterns of quieter weekday experiences.
Group camping options: The best tent camping near Pitman, New Jersey includes several group-friendly options. Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park is specifically designed for larger gatherings with "a nice open field with two sites and two fire pits." A visitor noted it's "great for first time campers" and mentioned "a tone of trails to hike on."
Accessible backpacking: Lower Forge Camp provides entry-level backpacking experiences. "It's one of my personal favorites to disappear for a weekend and great for beginners who you're trying to break into backpacking," writes a regular visitor. The campground can be accessed from multiple starting points: "with access from either (Atsion 5+ miles in) or Batsto (7 miles)."
What you should know
Sandy terrain challenges: The Pine Barrens soil affects camping comfort and vehicle access. At Bodine Field, reviewers describe a "very sandy area," while Batona Campground has "about 1 mile of loose sand" on the access road. Standard vehicles can navigate these roads, but drivers should proceed cautiously.
Water coloration: Stream and lake water throughout the region has a distinctive appearance. When filtering water from Batsto River, "don't be weirded out by the brown color caused by tannins." This natural coloration doesn't indicate pollution but comes from plant compounds in the Pine Barrens ecosystem.
Limited facilities: Tinicum Island represents the most primitive camping option, with one camper noting it's "A great place to stay if you have a watercraft" but offers no amenities. Across all area campgrounds, restroom facilities range from none (Tinicum) to basic pit toilets (most locations) with no showers available at Pine Barrens campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
First-time camping location: Several campgrounds accommodate beginning campers well. Ridley Creek State Park "is great for first time campers" with open sites and straightforward access. The group camping setup works particularly well for families wanting to camp together with multiple tents.
Swimming options: Goshen Pond — Wharton State Forest provides convenient water recreation. "It's also a 5 minute drive from Atsion lake, a great place for kayaking and swimming," notes one camper. This offers families a cleaner, designated swimming area compared to the tannin-stained rivers.
Bug protection essential: Multiple campers emphasize insect preparation. At Goshen Pond, visitors report "lots of bugs (ticks)" while another warns to "just gotta check often for chiggers and ticks." Families should pack repellent, conduct regular tick checks, and consider permethrin-treated clothing for children.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV access: Most Pine Barrens campgrounds accommodate small campers only. At Batona Campground, "sites are suitable for tents or small campers. The unpaved road into the site is narrow and tree lined. A larger RV would not fit." RVers should carefully research access before attempting to bring larger units.
Electrical availability: Some campgrounds offer limited hookups. Fort Washington provides "electric-hookups, fifty-amp-hookups, thirty-amp-hookups" but primarily serves organized group camping rather than individual RV sites. Most Pine Barrens sites offer no hookups whatsoever.
Generator policies: Virtually all campgrounds near Pitman prohibit generators. Fort Washington specifically lists "NO generators-allowed" in their regulations. RVers dependent on power should either select one of the few sites with electrical hookups or ensure their rig can function without shore power or generator use.
