Cabins near Long Beach, New Jersey provide rustic accommodations within 20-45 minutes of the Atlantic coast. Most cabins are located in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, characterized by sandy soil, cedar-stained waterways, and dense pine forests. The camping season typically extends from April through October with cabins being the most durable option during occasional spring and fall temperature fluctuations that can dip into the 40s at night even when daytime temperatures reach the 70s.
What to do
Paddling the Wading River: Rent equipment at Bass River State Forest or bring your own for an experience on the cedar-stained waters. "We walked and explored, kayaked, and sang by the fire. The camp sites have plenty of room for the kids to run around and set up there own areas. Great area for tent camping," notes Matthew H. about a trip to Bass River State Forest.
Fishing at Wharton State Forest: Cast for pickerel in Harrisville Pond, accessible from Bodine Field Campground. "You're right next to the wading river/creek with that amazing cedar water. As well as a quick drive Harrisville Pond which mine as well be a lake. Good fishing for pickerel as well as a decent trail that goes around the entire pond," shares Dan M. from Bodine Field — Wharton State Forest.
Swimming in heated pools: Many private campgrounds offer swimming pools as alternatives to beach days. "The heated swimming pool was large and the water crystal clear," reported Matt S. about his visit to Sea Pirate Campground during mid-August.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campers value the privacy offered by wooded sites. "Quaint and rustic, heavily wooded. Makes you feel like your camping, not just lined up next to a bunch of campers," writes Joel N. about his experience at Baker's Acres Campground.
Nature trails: Campgrounds throughout the region offer trails ranging from short walks to extensive hikes. "I have been camping at Bass River since I was a baby. The newest addition of extra pet friendly sites have made it even better because we can bring the pup. The sites are a great size and many are set back enough that you have privacy. Many great memories of canoeing and fishing on the lake," shares Maggie H.
Weekend activities: Organized events keep campers entertained during their stay. "We would like to try this campground again in hopes that we were there during some strange bug anomaly??? The campground looked like it would have been a lot of fun if it wasn't for the bugs," noted a reviewer about Sea Pirate Campground, highlighting the importance of timing your visit.
What you should know
Sandy terrain challenges: The Pine Barrens have predominantly sandy soil that can affect camping comfort. "Sites are level and somewhat sandy (You're in the Pine Barrens, it should be expected). The bathhouses near our site were cleaned 2x daily and the best part is, they're private!" explains Karen S. from Baker's Acres.
Seasonal pest management: Insects can be problematic, especially near water. "The bugs were just unbearable day & night. You couldn't even sit outside by the fire. Even walking the dog was a challenge. I have been camping for years and I have never experienced mosquitoes & flys like this," reports a camper from Sea Pirate Campground, emphasizing the need for insect repellent.
Distance to beaches: Actual travel times to Long Beach Island vary with traffic. "The trip into LBI was an easy one. We borrowed beach tags from the camp store for a fee and headed to the Brant Beach section of LBI," explains Becca U. from Baker's Acres.
Tips for camping with families
Book activities in advance: Some campgrounds offer scheduled programs that require sign-ups. "We took a hayride around the park, which was fun. The hayride was supposed to end at 10 according to the campers app but ended more towards 8:30 so we did not get to ride it," shares Nicole S. about Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake.
Proximity to bathrooms: Consider site location when traveling with children. "Our campsite was a good 7 minute walk from the nearest bathroom which was a bit far so a small bathhouse near the nature trail would have been appreciated," notes Becca U. from Baker's Acres.
Check swimming options: Not all swimming areas operate consistently throughout the season. "Unfortunately when I came the lake was closed to boat rentals and swimming, but staff was very knowledgable and helpful," reports Dorian P. about Brendan Byrne State Forest.
Tips from RVers
Site angle considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging entry and exit angles. "Backing my rig into the site, and exiting, was a bit challenging due to the angle and size of the service road but we managed well enough and really enjoyed the area as we were near a short hiking path that was great to take the dogs out," explains Jim G. from Baker's Acres.
Water pressure variations: Water systems can be inconsistent during peak usage times. "We had a problem with our site: extremely low water pressure, often below 20 PSI. It was so low at times, that we couldn't take showers or flush the toilet. At some times, it was a bearable 40 PSI," reports a visitor to Sea Pirate Campground.
Road condition awareness: Internal campground roads vary widely in quality. "Some people might complain about the condition of the roads. We didn't mind them - it kept people from driving too fast," shares Becca U. about Baker's Acres.
