Camping sites near Hamilton Square, New Jersey span across several state forests and private facilities, with the New Jersey Pine Barrens creating distinctive camping environments throughout the region. Elevations remain relatively flat around 100 feet above sea level, contributing to easy access but also occasional drainage issues during heavy rainfall. The proximity to both Atlantic coastal influences and inland waterways creates unique microclimates at various campgrounds.
What to do
Hiking and trail exploration: Brendan Byrne State Forest provides extensive trail networks through the Pine Barrens ecosystem. "Lots of good hiking trails, most the sites have pretty decent privacy from the other ones," notes one camper about Brendan Byrne State Forest. The trails offer varying difficulties with some sections requiring proper footwear due to boggy conditions.
Fishing and paddling: Turkey Swamp Park offers multiple water activities on its lake. "Turkey Swamp is a great spot, a lot of different things to do. Fishing, Tent Camp, Van Camping, Open Field, BBQ, Kayaking, Canoeing. The list goes on," shares a visitor to Turkey Swamp Park. The lake features a small boardwalk and boat dock with rental options available during summer.
Wildlife viewing: The Delaware River corridor near Washington Crossing provides excellent bird watching. "There are farms and animals to see, hikes along the Delaware river, Bowman's tower with a great view of the surrounding area and much more," reports a visitor familiar with the area's natural attractions.
What campers like
Diverse landscapes: Round Valley offers a unique reservoir setting with paddle-in access. "The water is crystal clear, the area is clean. There's bathrooms and pumps but we just filtered the water from the reservoir instead which tasted a million times better than the well water," notes a camper at Round Valley State Park.
Winter activities: Some parks maintain year-round operations with seasonal advantages. "We go every year. It has everything the outdoorsman could ask for. Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels. Ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods," shares an experienced visitor to Turkey Swamp Park.
Historical context: Washington Crossing area combines camping with Revolutionary War history. "Every year, they re-enact Washington's troops crossing the Delaware! It was VERY cold the year I went. To warm up, there is a small visitor's center where they have a reproduction of the famous painting," explains a visitor to Washington Crossing State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds operate April through October with limited winter options. "First off, I will start by saying you have to drive a good amount of distance to get into the campground and that is something I really enjoyed! Made me feel super secluded," reports a Brendan Byrne visitor regarding the park's year-round accessibility.
Tick precautions: The wooded areas require proper protection during warm months. "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," warns a visitor to Turkey Swamp Park.
Site conditions: Many campgrounds feature sandy soil which affects comfort and setup. "The entire park was dirty sand with weeds growing everywhere," notes a reviewer at Butterfly Camping Resort. This sandy base is common throughout the Pine Barrens region.
Tips for camping with families
Activity-rich options: Several campgrounds offer structured entertainment for children. "The campground was super clean too. It was perfect!" reports a family that visited Turkey Swamp Park with 2- and 3-year-old children, noting they didn't encounter any insect problems.
Swimming facilities: Pool availability varies widely between campgrounds. "Pool was open for a couple days following the lifting of restrictions for COVID. Overall, a nice campground that is close to Six Flags," shares a visitor to Timberland Lake Campground who stayed with children.
Weekend entertainment: Some campgrounds offer scheduled activities. "Lots of activities for young children (swimming pool) and close to major roads," notes a Butterfly Camping Resort visitor, highlighting the organized events that keep families engaged.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variability: Electric services differ significantly between parks. "Sites came with fire pit, large picnic bench, and lamp stand. Plenty of parking space. Good tree coverage. Only one bathroom, bit of a walk but clean and many amenities available," reports an RV camper at Tip Tam Camping Resort.
Campground navigation: Large rigs face challenges at some locations. "This place is not big-rig friendly, difficult to navigate some of the turns in our 45' motorhome and taking scratches from tree branches that should be trimmed," warns a motorhome owner about Butterfly Camping Resort's internal roads.
Water access planning: Some sites require extra-long hoses. "Some sites unlevel. Bring a LONG water hose. Nice lake. Showers and washers and dryers," advises a visitor to Turkey Swamp Park, noting the sometimes challenging water hookup arrangements.
