Camping near Absecon, New Jersey offers diverse experiences within the sandy soils of the Pine Barrens and near coastal regions. The region's terrain consists mostly of flat, sandy landscapes with elevations rarely exceeding 100 feet above sea level. Most camping areas feature sandy campsites that can become problematic during rain, with multiple campgrounds reporting drainage issues in reviews.
What to do
Kayaking and tubing river trips: Winding River Campground offers tubing and kayaking with transport services. "They have kayaking and tubing available with their own transport 2, 3 and 5 hour trips and you come right back down to the campsite! Bring your own and just pay a small transport fee," explains Michelle F.
Lake activities at Lake Nummy: Belleplain State Forest provides swimming and boating at Lake Nummy. "The swimming lake was beautiful. We biked the trails, and hiked others that didn't allow bikes," reports Anne H. The campground also offers kayak and canoe rentals near the camping areas.
Swimming options beyond beaches: Several campgrounds maintain pools for campers who prefer freshwater swimming. At Ocean View Resort Campground, "This campground had it all from a huge pool and unbelievable splash pad to a great swimming pond with a beach!" according to Ray L.
What campers like
Wooded, private sites: Baker's Acres Campground receives praise for site privacy and natural surroundings. "Quaint and rustic, heavily wooded. Makes you feel like your camping, not just lined up next to a bunch of campers," notes Joel N. This offers a more secluded alternative to more developed campgrounds.
Kid-friendly amenities: Ocean View Resort Campground caters specifically to families with children. Ann Marie M. shares, "Ocean View Resort was an excellent resort for our family with two toddlers. Kids loved the Splash Park, Arcade, Tram Car, playgrounds and Lake."
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds provide fishing access, with Holly Acres RV Park offering a dedicated fishing pond. "Good fishing at the lake. They also allow golfcarts," mentions Arnold M., highlighting additional recreational options beyond water activities.
What you should know
Varied bathroom conditions: Bathroom quality differs significantly between campgrounds. At Bass River State Forest, Dorian P. warns, "When entering the bathrooms, there was toilet paper all over, cobb webs and bugs flying all over the bathroom. They looked as if they get cleaned maybe once a week IF THAT."
Bug issues common: The region's combination of sandy soil, standing water, and forests creates ideal conditions for insects. At Holly Acres RV Park, Aimee D. points out, "Pros: good fishing, good people, nice shaded and sunny spots, beautiful pool. Cons: bugs, no store, stay away from the front middle spots, they flood when it rains."
Limited cell service: Many Pine Barrens campgrounds have connectivity challenges. At Belleplain State Forest, Anne H. reports, "Virtually NO cell service with AT&T, TMobile or Verizon. AT&T was the better of the 3. Our Winegard/Gateway give us no internet which we normally get."
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife spotting trails: Belleplain State Forest offers nature trails where families commonly see wildlife. Becca U. shares, "We loved the nature trail. We saw deer every time we walked on it. My husband and daughter enjoyed the pool."
Themed activity weekends: Several campgrounds schedule themed weekends throughout the season. "Had the best Halloween weekend here! Been twice & will go back next year," notes Melissa about Holly Acres RV Park, suggesting booking during special event weekends.
Family-friendly lake access: Bass River State Forest offers a calm lake environment suitable for children. Matthew H. explains, "This is a cool little area with trails and a lake. We walked and explored, kayaked, and sang by the fire. The camp sites have plenty of room for the kids to run around and set up there own areas."
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Some campgrounds have narrow roads that make maneuvering difficult. Jim G. at Atlantic Shore Pines Campground notes, "The only drawback was my site was not very level and took a few tries to get levelled, but everything else made up for it. Sites are packed sand so be prepared with a good broom because it tracks everywhere."
Limited dump station facilities: State forests typically have minimal dumping infrastructure. Anne H. cautions about Belleplain State Forest: "The worst was the dump station. It is just a little hole on the side of the road and the ONLY dump station for the 3 campgrounds! It was very unlevel and not easy to fully dump our tanks."
Seasonal site differences: Many campgrounds separate seasonal and transient camping areas. At Wading Pines Camping Resort, Stacy D. observed, "We had seasonals in front and behind us who weren't very friendly and one woman looked annoyed we were there. Our neighboring transient campers were very nice."
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