New Jersey's Pine Barrens region provides the backdrop for many glamping options near Hamilton Square. About 35 miles east of Hamilton Square, the Brendan Byrne State Forest sits at an elevation of around 100-150 feet above sea level in the heart of the Pine Barrens. Campers often note the distinctive sandy soil conditions that characterize this region's campsites, with summer humidity levels reaching 75-85% during peak camping season.
What to do
Explore historic ruins: At Washington Crossing State Park, visitors can explore trails leading to historic structures. "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," writes Olivia M.
Experience seasonal events: Fall camping offers special attractions at many campgrounds. At Timberland Lake Campground, Halloween transforms the grounds. A camper notes, "We LOVE camping here in the fall!! They do their own haunted walk through that is just awesome! Everyone decorates. They have a dj every Saturday! Plenty of activities for the kids."
Kayak in peaceful settings: Water recreation options abound at Round Valley State Park Campground, where the 2,350-acre reservoir offers paddling opportunities. "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," shares James R.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Campers appreciate the natural settings at Turkey Swamp Park. "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest. Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy," according to Lee D.
Wildlife encounters: The proximity to Six Flags Safari Park creates unique experiences. At Timberland Lake Campground, wildlife adds to the camping experience. One reviewer noted, "Very close to Six Flags Great adventure. You can hear the lions in the morning. There is a road that goes between the campground and the Safari you can drive, walk, or bicycle down and see the animals!"
Stargazing opportunities: Mountainview Campground offers exceptional night sky viewing. A camper shared, "Stayed at one of the primitive sites. Very clean and quite. Bath stalls and showers are basic but clean. Great spot for stargazing. Owners are very nice."
What you should know
Tick prevention: Several campgrounds report issues with ticks. At Turkey Swamp Park, a visitor warned: "I was so excited when we got here. The sites are spacious and it's really beautiful. But 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."
Campground restrictions: Rules vary between locations. At Brendan Byrne State Forest, campers note specific limitations: "We were unaware that if using an RV in a tent site you are not allowed to add another tent to the site. There is a two tent limit per site despite the site allowing up to 6 people."
Site conditions: Many campgrounds feature sandy soil. Adventure Bound Camping notes: "The entire park was dirty sand with weeds growing everywhere," while another camper mentioned, "Sand sites" as a con, though the "Nice amenities" were appreciated.
Tips for camping with families
Bug preparation: Pack appropriate repellents for summer camping. At Brendan Byrne State Forest, one camper advised: "Ticks were very active on this visit be sure to remember your bug spray and tuck your pants in your socks! Overall a great time."
Choose quieter weekdays: For a more peaceful experience with children, consider non-weekend visits. At Wharton State Forest - Atsion Recreation Area, a visitor mentioned: "Went during the week, there were 4 sites taken adjacent to me, the rest of the campsite barely had anyone."
Water-adjacent sites: Secure sites near water features for added entertainment. A Turkey Swamp Park camper noted: "We went camping with our 2- and 3-year-old kids. We were worried about bugs, but we didn't even use mosquito repellent and didn't get a single bite! The campground was super clean too."
Tips from RVers
Water hookup planning: At some campgrounds, you'll need extra equipment. A Turkey Swamp Park reviewer advised: "Nice, remote, private. Some sites unlevel. Bring a LONG water hose. Nice lake. Showers and washers and dryers."
Site selection for larger rigs: Many glamping options near Hamilton Square present challenges for bigger RVs. At Adventure Bound Camping, a camper noted the "Tight site & hard to get in/out for big rigs" among the cons, though they appreciated the "50 AMP, sewer & water hookup."
