The Runnemede area sits at the edge of New Jersey's coastal plain, with an elevation of just 56 feet above sea level, creating flat terrain ideal for beginning hikers and families. The region's proximity to both the Delaware River and Atlantic coastal environments creates a unique camping climate with warm summers and relatively mild winters. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, though several offer year-round accommodations with seasonal adaptations for comfort.
What to do
Trail exploration: 7-mile loops available at Wharton State Forest's Atsion Recreation Area, just 30 minutes from Runnemede. "There are little trails around the campsite too," notes one visitor, while another mentions that "Batsto is a 15 minute drive. Hikes start either there or you can access from Atsion as well."
Water activities: Morning kayaking at Wharton State Forest offers quiet paddling experiences. "LOVE!!!! I always get site #8 and it has an amazing view of the lake. While camping at atsion family campground, you have free access to the recreation center (the beach and some trails)," reports a camper. The area features multiple water access points for kayaking and fishing.
Historical exploration: Revolutionary sites within 25 minutes of camp. The region contains several colonial-era landmarks and restored buildings. At French Creek State Park Campground, one visitor notes its proximity to "Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site and Daniel Boone Homestead" making it ideal for history buffs.
Frisbee golf: Wooded courses available at multiple locations. The natural terrain creates challenging play environments. "There is also a frisbee golf course in the woods to make it even more interesting and competitive. The trees definitely make it harder!" explains one camper at French Creek.
What campers like
Quiet evenings away from city noise: The area's woodlands provide sound barriers from urban environments. A visitor at Brendan Byrne State Forest appreciates that "it's far away from traffic noise. You can't hear any cars or any other noise from civilization at all. It's at least 10 miles away from anything more than a single house in the woods."
Clean facilities: Recently renovated bathhouses at several campgrounds feature individual shower stalls. "The bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers. Nice area to wash dishes," notes a French Creek State Park visitor, while another camper at Lums Pond observed "Great bath houses, always super clean."
Spacious sites: 30-40 feet between neighbors at many locations provides privacy without isolation. "Spacious sites. There are so many wonderful activities. There really is something for everyone here," explains a camper at Lums Pond State Park Campground. Most sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and parking space.
Native plant diversity: Pine Barrens flora creates unique camping environments. "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," reports a visitor, highlighting the botanical interest.
What you should know
Water quality varies: Some locations have mineral content that affects taste and appearance. At Parvin State Park, one camper noted "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. The toilets were clean but had the orange staining from the iron in the water."
Weekend versus weekday experiences: Significant differences in crowd levels and noise occur depending on timing. "Quiet during the week - numerous seasonal campers," explains a visitor at Wading Pines Camping Resort, while another notes, "We arrived on a Tuesday a few days after they closed the pool, and by Wednesday I had the whole row of tent sites to myself."
Site selection considerations: Research specific site features before booking. "Some sites are right next to hiking trails. If you want privacy, don't choose them," advises a Parvin State Park visitor, highlighting the importance of site research. Another camper mentions, "The sand roads were horrible," referring to the interior roads at some campgrounds.
Glamping close to Runnemede, New Jersey: Several campgrounds offer luxury outdoor accommodations. Options range from safari tents to cabin rentals. "The cabins are more rustic than most, which I enjoyed. While there was a stove the heating, which was necessary in November, was accomplished via a stove," explains a Parvin State Park Campground visitor describing the upscale camping experience.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Scheduled events keep children engaged throughout the day. "They also have activities throughout the day and text you so you don't miss anything," shares a camper. Many campgrounds organize weekend-specific programming.
Swimming options: Multiple pool and lake choices with varying features and supervision requirements. "The pool and splash pad were great but you needed to be at least 42 inches to go on the slide or bounce house," points out a visitor at Jellystone Park South Jersey, providing crucial height requirement information.
Playgrounds: Multiple age-appropriate equipment sets distributed throughout the camping areas. "Nice playground, basketball court, 2 fishing areas," reports a visitor at Old Cedar Campground, while another mentions "The most unique aspect we found was the cow pasture. It was a lot of fun watching the cows eating and interacting."
Noise considerations: Activity levels vary by loop and campground. "Our site was directly across from the Pavilion which was great for Saturday night's live band," explains one camper, while another notes "If your a young party goer, than this could be a fun place."
Tips from RVers
Hookup configurations: Note that water and electric may be positioned differently than expected. At many sites, "The water hookups are shared every other site. I was lucky my 75' hose barely reached the distance needed. Be sure to bring extra hoses," advises an RVer.
Pad types and leveling: Different campgrounds offer varying site surfaces. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze," notes one RVer at French Creek, while another camper explains, "No gravel or pads on sites, just bare ground."
Size limitations: Research carefully if your rig exceeds 35 feet. "Very narrow roads to sites, so not big rig friendly there but most sites are quite large," explains a visitor at Parvin State Park, while another RVer mentions their "37' motor home" just fit on their assigned site.
