Camping facilities within 35 miles of Spotswood, New Jersey include a mix of state parks and private campgrounds nestled among the Pine Barrens and Delaware River watershed. The area averages 46 inches of annual rainfall with typical summer temperatures between 75-85°F. Several locations offer yurt camping options for those seeking more structured shelter than traditional tents.
What to do
Hiking through pine forests: Brendan Byrne State Forest contains multiple trail systems through classic New Jersey Pine Barrens terrain. "Plenty of trails nearby, though some of the trails are shared with motorized vehicles/bicyclists," notes a visitor from Brendan Byrne State Forest. Another camper mentioned the trails are "fairly well-marked but can be a bit confusing at times," so bringing a trail map is recommended.
Kayaking and fishing: Turkey Swamp Park provides a 17-acre lake for paddling and fishing. "Fishing, Tent Camp, Van Camping, Open Field, BBQ, Kayaking, Canoeing. The list goes on. I've been here a few times, every time I'm here I barely touch my phone," reports one Turkey Swamp Park camper. Boat rentals are available during summer months with four different styles to choose from at reasonable rates.
Winter activities: Several parks maintain year-round access for cold weather camping. A visitor to Round Valley notes, "Beautiful and quaint..a nice place to get away and enjoy some nature," while a Brendan Byrne camper shared they "went in April. Allows dogs after a deposit. Must purchase their firewood." Another camper added that ice skating on lakes is possible during winter months at some locations.
What campers like
Privacy between campsites: Many campgrounds in the region offer good separation between sites. "Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy," notes a Turkey Swamp Park visitor. Another camper at Brendan Byrne mentioned, "Nice and quiet, sites are spaced out enough to offer privacy. Good trees for hammocking!"
Clean facilities: Bathhouse quality varies between locations but receives generally positive reviews. "The bathrooms were clean and the staff was friendly. They do patrol the sites with a police presence in the evening," writes a Brendan Byrne State Forest visitor. However, conditions can vary by season and visitation levels.
Waterfront camping: Several parks offer sites directly on lakes and reservoirs. "My campsite was 34W, right next the reservoir. Nice location however the website said it was full shade. The picnic table was in shade. The spot for the RV was full sun," explains a Spruce Run Recreation Area visitor. Another camper noted, "Beautiful and relaxing water sites... A duck visited us every morning."
What you should know
Ticks and insects: The Pine Barrens ecosystem harbors significant tick populations. "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," reports a Turkey Swamp camper. Bringing appropriate repellent and checking regularly for ticks is essential in this region.
Site reservations: Book well in advance, especially for weekend stays. "We stayed here from June 24th-27th on site 38. It was a really nice size, and the kids could fish right off the dock on the back," shares a Timberland Lake visitor. Most campgrounds accept reservations 3-6 months ahead.
Yurt camping options: For those interested in yurt camping near Spotswood, New Jersey, Spruce Run and Round Valley offer year-round structures. "I have stayed in all the spots they offer, yurt, cabin and the pull up sites. It is well maintained with numerous trails to hike. Getting a cabin in the winter and going for a snowy hike is wonderful there," writes an Allaire State Park visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and kid-friendly activities: Multiple campgrounds feature designated children's areas. "Campgrounds are a little bit close to each and didnt offer much privacy but they were right in top of each other. Only weird rule I saw was that fires can only go from 6pm till 7am," notes a camper at Brendan Byrne. Another visitor mentioned, "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!"
Archery opportunities: Some parks maintain dedicated archery ranges for supervised family activities. "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," explains a Round Valley State Park visitor. Archery equipment rentals are often available during summer season.
Holiday programming: Many campgrounds run special activities during major holidays. "We went to Timberland Lake last fall. It happened to be the Halloween weekend which was full of excellent activities from pumpkin painting to piñatas and tricker treating," reports one family. Special programming typically runs Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Many state parks have few full-hookup sites. "There are some RV sites with water & electric which are not on the water, but in the parking lot. I would consider getting one on the water to enjoy the water and one in the parking lot to hook up the RV," advises a Spruce Run camper. Reservations for hookup sites often fill 4-6 months in advance.
Pothole concerns: Several campgrounds have dirt or gravel roads that develop issues during rainy seasons. "The campground falls short in terms of its bathroom facilities. The stall doors are quite small and lack privacy, which can be a discomfort for many guests," notes a Pine Cone Campgrounds visitor. RVers should drive slowly and inspect sites before backing in.
Water access challenges: Many campsites require extended water hoses. "Nice, remote, private. Some sites unlevel. Bring a LONG water hose. Nice lake. Showers and washers and dryers," advises a Turkey Swamp camper. Standard 25-foot hoses may not reach water hookups at some locations.
