The Pine Barrens near Southampton offers diverse camping options with over 125,000 acres of forest across multiple state parks and campgrounds. Trails within the region connect camping areas through sandy terrain and dense pine forests. During summer months, temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, making water access particularly valuable.
What to do
Paddling adventures: Mullica River at Lower Forge Campground provides excellent river access for water activities. "The sites are primitive but right on the river with easy access to go for a dip or let the pups go for a swim," notes a regular visitor. Sites accommodate canoes and kayaks with direct water access.
Bridge jumping: Cool off in the river systems at Godfrey Bridge during hot summer days. One visitor reports this area is "perfect for swimming, tubing, wading, or bridge jumping." The slow-moving current creates safe areas for water play during warmer months.
Historic exploration: Visit local historic sites accessible from Atsion Family Campground. A camper mentions, "In the area there are historic buildings and ruins you get to by 'off roading' on all dirt roads." Batsto Village, approximately 15 minutes away, offers self-guided tours through preserved 19th-century industrial town buildings.
What campers like
Trail access: Hikers appreciate the interconnected trail systems at Batona Campground, where "the Batona trail runs through the campground." Sites back up to creek areas, providing both water features and trail access from tent sites.
Spacious campsites: Bass River State Forest offers generous site dimensions. A visitor mentioned, "The sites are a great size and many are set back enough that you have privacy." Another camper confirmed, "Each site is very large, very clean and well maintained," making them suitable for groups and families.
Lake activities: Many campers enjoy access to lakes for swimming and boating. At Brendan Byrne State Forest, visitors appreciate the natural setting: "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."
What you should know
Tick prevalence: The Pine Barrens region has significant tick populations, particularly Lone Star ticks. Even with precautions, one visitor to Godfrey Bridge reported, "Even with 100% deet spray, we still had at least 2 on each person." Tuck pants into socks and perform regular tick checks.
Sandy access roads: Many campgrounds feature unpaved, sandy roads. At Goshen Pond Campground, visitors noted "roads into the place are single car only, with a good amount of spots to pull off if you find yourself head to head with another vehicle." Some roads become difficult after rain.
Noise considerations: Weekends bring more visitors and activity. One camper at Lower Forge advised, "We went up on a Friday night and enjoyed being the only campers there. Saturday night was a little crowded and the sites are very close so if you enjoy your peace and quiet in the woods, pick a week night to enjoy!"
Tips for camping with families
Weekend activities: Holiday weekends often include special events. At Timberland Lake Campground, "The Halloween weekend was full of excellent activities from pumpkin painting to piñatas and trick or treating." Call ahead to check event schedules.
Lake swimming: Bass River State Forest offers lake swimming plus rentals. "They had canoe and kayak rentals at the lake. Some very easy trails for kids," mentions one family who visited during Labor Day weekend.
Wildlife education: The Pine Barrens ecosystem contains unique flora and fauna. One visitor to Batona shared, "It is so easy to get lost in these woods and I LOVE IT! If you want off the beaten path and not close to anyone... this is IT!" Teaching children about local plants helps them engage with the environment.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV sites at Wading Pines Camping Resort accommodate larger rigs. A visitor noted, "They have 300 camp sites spaced out nicely. All the hook ups you need." The campground's riverfront location allows for water activities between setup and departure.
Seasonal considerations: Most state forest campgrounds lack hookups. Commercial campgrounds offer more amenities but often have different atmospheres. At Timberland Lake, a camper observed, "Small camp site. Fire ring seemed to be an old truck rim (no grill, but they'll sell you one). Old beat up picnic table in the weeds. No privacy."
Scout
