M
Michael M.
Scout
ScoutTurkey Swamp Park
Water/power at the campsite, and and centrally located dump station. Lots of trees and nice separation of sites
Equestrian Camping near Runnemede, NJ
1 campground with availability next weekend
Search destinations
Add dates
Riders looking for horse camping near Runnemede, New Jersey will find Brendan Byrne State Forest accommodating for equestrian needs. While this state park does not feature designated horse corrals on the campground itself, it offers access to extensive bridle paths throughout the 37,000-acre pine forest. The campground accommodates tents, RVs, and cabins with spacious sites that can fit multiple vehicles, beneficial for those with horse trailers. Campsites include fire rings, picnic tables, and nearby water spigots. The forest's wide, sandy trails provide suitable terrain for horseback riding, and the campground's location deep within the pine barrens creates a secluded atmosphere ideal for nature immersion. Sites in the smaller loop (1-13) offer more privacy than those in the larger loop where boundaries between sites can be less defined.
The extensive trail network throughout Brendan Byrne State Forest connects riders to numerous riding routes, including multiple loop options ranging from 5 to 13 miles. The Batona Trail, a 50-mile path that traverses the pine barrens, is accessible from the forest and suitable for day rides. The campground maintains clean bathroom facilities with showers, important for riders after trail excursions. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak seasons when the campground can fill quickly. Campsite fees include a refundable pet deposit for those bringing dogs alongside their horses. Visitors should note that fires are permitted only between 6pm and 7am according to park regulations. The forest's sandy soil drains well even after rain, making most horse camping trails passable year-round, though bug repellent is essential during warmer months when ticks and mosquitoes are active in this pine barrens ecosystem.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Runnemede (7)
1. French Creek State Park Campground
"We were looking for someplace close to the city but away from the hustle and bustle of our city life, this was the perfect little steal-away; relatively close by, great car camping spots, nice easy hikes"
"Activities See the photo that shows 35 miles of hiking trails. It's an excellent brochure! "
3 Sites AvailableAvailable next weekend
from $20 - $75 / night
2. Brendan Byrne State Forest
"Campsite decent size, but some don't have clear boundaries to neighbors, and sometimes not optimally configured (e.g., the site next door's fire pit was placed on the edge of its site/right next to my"
"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!"
Check Availabilityfrom $3 - $60 / night
3. Lums Pond State Park Campground
"There are some equestrian and tent sites as well. Lots of boating (electric motors only) and kayaking on the pond and a decent amount of hiking."
"I took her older cousins to the fishing pier, and we didn't even get a nibble, but I think it was too cold for panfish that close to shore."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $27 - $45 / night
4. Turkey Swamp Park
"We stayed in New Jersey for our 5th campground on the East Coast: Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold. This is a County park.
Near some Revolutionary War battlefields.
I really liked this park!"
"Electrical and water are at the outer edge of each site so you might want an extension cord and/or hose."
Check Availabilityfrom $42 - $79 / night
5. Hibernia County Park
"This campground has 2 small loops, the Lake Loop and the Fiddler's Loop. Lake loop is the bigger of the two, however the “sites” are smaller and it's more open. It is popular with group tenters."
"Large campsites at the Lake Loop. Map is a little deceiving- the sites are farther from the lake than I expected and there are no running water bathrooms. Very clean and wooded sites."
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $50 / night
6. Blackbird State Forest Campground
"The only thing about this site specifically is the trail was close by so you’d occasionally see people walking by but not enough that it didn’t still feel secluded."
"I was only one in the forest ATM but saw some hikers occasionally throughout the day walking by."
Check Availabilityfrom $25 / night
7. Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area
Drive Time
- 14 min from Philadelphia, PA
- 33 min from Trenton, NJ
- 36 min from Vineland, NJ
- 46 min from Atlantic City, NJ
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Runnemede, NJ
1 Photos of 7 Runnemede Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Runnemede, NJ
205 Reviews of 7 Runnemede Campgrounds
- DDiane M.Scout
Brendan Byrne State Forest
Just ok
Restrooms are filthy with mold and mildew.
Water puddled on the restroom floor.really gross.
Cabin was mostly clean. The windows were full of dirt and bugs on the tracks.mattresses were terrible.The fireplace was nice. Kitchen was clean.
Can t wait to move on to a cleaner park.
Adeline M.
GuideBrendan Byrne State Forest
Beautiful campground, loud campers
Beautiful campground but made the mistake of going on a holiday weekend, the campgrounds next to us were screaming and blasting music all day and throughout the night so we ended up leaving early. A beautiful campground when there aren’t noisy capers ruining it.
Mary S.ScoutLums Pond State Park Campground
Lums Pond campground
First time at this campground really like it a lot will be returning. The bathrooms are always clean. The grounds are always kept up. Just a really nice place to stay. Most of the sites have some kind of shade.
- CCarlos E.Scout
Turkey Swamp Park
Really nice campground
Stayed three nights in a tent and enjoyed it very much. Sites have electrical hookups, shared water connections, large picnic table, and fire ring with adjustable grate. Electrical and water are at the outer edge of each site so you might want an extension cord and/or hose. Bathrooms are clean; showers have separate stalls but they’re clustered together (not the most private). There are hiking and biking trails, a lake, and archery park. Staff are friendly. Office is open through 9pm, and firewood, ice, and bait for fishing are available. Site C3 is in an okay spot; it’s close to the bathroom and laundry room, but also right next to the playground. We were able to visit the beach; easy 25 minute drive to Asbury Park.
- AAimee K.
TravelerTurkey Swamp Park
Great Park
Beautiful park and very peaceful. Rangers are super friendly. This is exactly what camping should be.
Matt S.
LegendFrench Creek State Park Campground
Quiet Park with a Tight Fit
We spent a weekend at French Creek State Park as our home base for the Chester County Balloon Festival. We stayed for 2 nights at a full-hookup paved site, which ran us $55.25 per night.
WHAT I LIKED:
-
Peace& Quiet: The state park itself was lovely, serene, and felt nice and spacious.
-
Prime Location: At just 30 minutes away from the balloon festival, this is the closest campground.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
-
The"Leveling" Challenge: We were at site#C-241, which had a pretty significant slope. It took a few boards under the rear wheels and fully extended jacks just to get us anywhere near level.
-
Tight Fit for Big Rigs: Even though there was plenty of open space behind our site, the actual driveway pad was too short to comfortably fit our motorhome and Jeep together. Compared to other state parks we’ve visited, the interior roads and layouts felt a bit on the tight side.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
- Probably. While the site geometry required a little extra setup muscle, it’s hard to beat the location if you're visiting the area or catching the balloon festival.
-
Nancy W.LegendLums Pond State Park Campground
Clean, big-rig friendly, large sites.
Overall, this is a nice, small (about 65 sites) state park with plenty of recreational opportunities inside the park. There is nice separation between sites so you don’t feel like you are on top of your neighbor. Tall trees are scattered about which provide shade at some sites but overall, the park is pretty open. Roads getting to the park are easy to navigate with any size RV. Within the park, roads are paved and free of potholes and there are no low hanging branches. Since the roads are one-way they are not very wide so backing in big-rigs can be a little tight and you might have to run over the grass.
All RV sites are full hook-up and there is a separate area for tents and there is one canvas yurt for rent. The tent sites are nice in that they are tucked along the wood line slightly away from RVs with more privacy and shade. The only downside is that they are pretty far away from the centrally located bathroom and showers. The bathroom has separate rooms for showers which is nice and private. They were tended to daily and very clean. Also, located in the center of the campground is a playground, camp store and laundry. The dumpsters and recycle bins are located in a separate area on the way out of the campground and were frequently full and overflowing. Campsites are paved and some have wide enough that the patio is paved but others have a narrow pad for the RV and gravel patio. We discovered that most sites are level but a few are not (like 22 and 24). The campground is very clean and camp hosts were diligent about picking up trash and cleaning out fire pits every day.
Across the pond (north of the campground) is where most of the amenities are located such as concessions, ball fields, horseshoe pits, disk golf, and more. For those wanting to fish there is a pier in the campground and a self-serve vending machine with bait in it. There are additional fishing piers located in other parts of the park and there are boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards for rent. We stopped in at the Nature Center but it was a bust– just a few taxidermy specimens and not much information. One of the most popular areas of the park is Go Ape which is a ropes/zip line course through the canopy (which does require admission fee). There are nice trails that leave right from the campground– some 17 miles in all. There is a boat launch about a quarter mile from the campground entrance which is suitable for trailerable boats and paddle craft but there are no docks so you can’t leave your boat tied up there. There is an off-leash dog area but it is located far from the campground so it’s best to drive.
- SShannon D.Scout
Lums Pond State Park Campground
Lums Pond
Bathrooms are clean and staff is nice
Guide to Runnemede
Equestrian camping near Runnemede, New Jersey offers diverse terrain across a transitional ecosystem where the coastal plain meets the piedmont. The sandy soil of the pine barrens drains quickly after rainfall, making most trails accessible year-round for riders. Trail conditions vary seasonally with summer bringing higher tick populations and winter offering fewer crowds but shorter daylight hours for riding excursions.
What to do
Trail riding circuits: At Turkey Swamp Park, riders find several interconnected loops through mixed woodland. "There are lots of trails and the packed dirt roads are nice for bike riding," notes Katheryn N., highlighting the multi-use nature of these paths that accommodate both horses and cyclists.
Fishing after rides: Chambers Lake at Hibernia County Park provides a peaceful spot to relax after morning trail rides. "Walking/hiking trails and the lake were super peaceful," reports Chelsea, while another visitor mentioned "There is an old mansion that gives tours on weekends" for those seeking cultural activities between rides.
Early morning wildlife viewing: The wooded campsites at Blackbird State Forest create excellent bases for dawn wildlife spotting. A camper describes, "Super pretty. Showed up in the dark but was super easy to navigate with a map. People super friendly." The forest's trail system passes through diverse habitats where riders frequently encounter deer and various bird species.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Brendan Byrne State Forest receives consistent praise for site layout. "Very Decent Camp in the Pine Barrens, Lots of potable water hydrants around the campground so not far of a walk to fill any water needs you may have," notes Dan M., while another camper appreciates that "most the sites have pretty decent privacy from the other ones."
Clean facilities: The facilities at French Creek State Park Campground maintain high standards despite heavy use. One camper reports, "Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers. Nice area to wash dishes," while others mention "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other."
Extended trail networks: The connectivity between campgrounds and regional trail systems impresses frequent visitors. At Turkey Swamp Park, a camper notes, "Plenty to do over a 2 night stay. Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking. Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from." The diversity of activities complements the primary focus on riding.
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: Fire regulations vary by season and location. At Lums Pond State Park Campground, "There's nothing we didn't like about this place," yet other parks like Brendan Byrne have specific fire hours from 6pm to 7am that riders should note when planning evening activities after trail rides.
Insect preparations: Tick prevention becomes critical in warmer months. One Turkey Swamp visitor warned, "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." Long pants, boots, and regular checks are essential for both horses and humans.
Reservation timing: Popular equestrian campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. A Lums Pond visitor advises, "Book early because it fills up fast!" while others note that holiday weekends often reach capacity months in advance, particularly for sites that can accommodate horse trailers.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: French Creek offers extensive recreational options beyond riding. "There is a huge lake where you can rent canoes and kayaks. A huge pool that has a beautiful view overlooking the lake," reports a ranger, adding "There are trails for mountain biking or hiking, a frisbee golf course, playground at the campground and at the lake."
Accessible trails: Turkey Swamp Park provides trails suitable for mixed-ability groups. "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!" shares JAEWOOK P., indicating how manageable shorter trails can be for families with younger children.
Playground access: Many campgrounds feature play areas where children can unwind after trail rides. At Hibernia, "Great playground" exists alongside the "Great children's pond for 12 and under," offering alternatives when younger riders need breaks from horseback activities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for trailers: At Lums Pond, equestrians with horse trailers benefit from ample space. "Beautiful park setting with fantastic site— spacious, level, good-working hookups, and paved," notes Matt S., while another visitor mentions, "Easy access from I-95" – crucial for those hauling larger trailers.
Water access strategies: Since not all sites offer direct water hookups, experienced RVers recommend strategies. At Brendan Byrne, Dan M. points out, "Lots of potable water hydrants around the campground so not far of a walk to fill any water needs you may have," suggesting portable water containers for longer stays.
Hookup variations: Campgrounds vary widely in available services. French Creek visitors advise, "There are three separate loops to camp at, Loop C is the only loop that allows pets, plus an area for large group camping which can accommodate anywhere from 30 to 60 people." Researching specific loops that best accommodate horse trailers alongside RVs prevents arrival surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Runnemede, NJ?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Runnemede, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Runnemede, NJ is French Creek State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 84 reviews.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
Runnemede, NJ?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Runnemede, NJ?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Runnemede, NJ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring