Glamping accommodations near Burlington, New Jersey offer distinctive lodging options within the Pine Barrens region's unique ecosystem, an area characterized by sandy soil, pine forests, and extensive wetlands. Located just 20-30 miles from Burlington, these glamping sites operate in a climate zone with warm summers and mild winters, making April through November the prime season for luxury outdoor stays. Most sites maintain temperatures 5-10 degrees cooler than urban areas due to forest shade coverage.
What to do
Paddle the Delaware River: Access boat launches at Washington Crossing State Park for scenic water adventures. According to visitor David, "Every year, they re-enact Washington's troops crossing the Delaware! It was VERY cold the year I went. To warm up, there is a small visitor's center where they have a reproduction of the famous painting commemorating the moment."
Explore historic sites: Take cultural excursions to surrounding landmarks within 15-30 minutes of camp. A visitor notes, "Washington Crossing Historic Park, straddling Pennsylvania and New Jersey along the Delaware River, is one of those rare places where you can literally camp in history. The Pennsylvania side is all about historic buildings, museums and picnic spots."
Try archery and shooting ranges: Practice target sports at Turkey Swamp Park where facilities accommodate beginners and experienced archers. As one camper mentioned, "Turkey Swamp is a great spot, a lot of different things to do. 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."
Seasonal activities: Halloween-themed weekend events run from late September through October at several glamping locations. One visitor at Timberland Lake noted, "We LOVE camping here in the fall!! They do their own haunted walk through that is just awesome! Everyone decorates. They have a DJ every Saturday! Plenty of activities for the kids. They have cool raffles!"
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Brendan Byrne State Forest offers well-spaced glamping accommodations with natural screening. A regular visitor notes, "I grew up at this camp ground. Spent every summer here. Some of my favorite things about this place are 1) 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."
Waterfront views: Select glamping sites offer direct water access for fishing or lounging. According to one Atsion camper, "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)."
Wilderness immersion: Luxury camping still provides true natural experiences. A Round Valley visitor shared, "Looking for some peace and quiet? Beautiful and quaint...a nice place to get away and enjoy some nature." Another camper noted, "Really nice spot to camp very peaceful and quiet. Gorgeous sunset, Beautiful views. Really helpful people at the office."
Clean facilities: Most glamping sites maintain above-average bathrooms and shower facilities. A Turkey Swamp visitor mentioned, "Bathrooms and showers are clean and well maintained. There is a pretty lake with good fishing and they sell bait at the Ranger office."
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: Glamping sites have varying operating schedules, with most closed between December and March. At Timberland Lake Campground, operations typically run "from Mar 1 to Dec 1," offering a longer season than some state facilities.
Wildlife awareness: Ticks can be prevalent, especially in spring and summer. One Turkey Swamp visitor warned, "I was so excited when we got here. The sites are spacious and it's really beautiful. But 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."
Fire regulations: Most glamping sites enforce specific hours for campfires. According to a Brendan Byrne camper, "Only weird rule I saw was that fires can only go from 6pm till 7am which was odd but wasn't a deal breaker."
Access challenges: Some glamping sites require significant hiking to reach accommodations. A Round Valley visitor explained, "Located just south of I78 and near the small hamlets of Clinton and Lebanon...if you're looking to camp here at Round Valley, I highly recommend you boat in as the hiking path is incredibly difficult to manage without hauling all of your camping gear."
Tips for camping with families
Choose activity-rich locations: Select glamping sites with dedicated children's programming. A Timberland Lake visitor reported, "This campground is conveniently located near six flags (5min), Sesame Place (40 min) and Philadelphia (60 min). Campground has friendly staff and plenty of activities for children of all ages. Play ground, basket ball, beautiful pool."
Look for water recreation: Atsion Family Camp offers swimming and boating options during summer months. One visitor shared, "In the area there are historic buildings and ruins you get to by 'off roading' on all dirt roads. Great places to kayak and Pineland Adventures right down the street has wonderful trips!"
Consider site location: Request spots away from common areas for earlier bedtimes. A camper noted, "Our campsite was nice but far from the activities and to get there you must go around the lake using the same road the cars and golf carts are using. Wish it was a little safer as I have small children."
Plan for weather fluctuations: Pine Barrens temperatures can vary significantly between day and night even in summer months. A camper mentioned, "Spacious campsite, although the closest water spigot wasn't working. Not a big problem as there are plenty of others. Bathrooms were clean. Showers were a little spidery but kind of expected at a campground."
Tips from RVers
Water and electrical connections: Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA provides full hookups for RVs with proximity to urban attractions. A visitor noted, "This is a very nice KOA, just over the Delaware River from Philly. The park is clean, quiet, full of families. The staff are friendly and welcoming. It's easy to navigate to the park from the interstate, and big rigs fit easily."
Road conditions: Many glamping locations have narrow access roads with rough surfaces. According to a reviewer, "It is a 20 minute ride into Philly and Uber was was quick and responsive. This is a nice KOA with full hook ups, tent sites, cabins, and even glamping cabins."
Site preparation: Some areas have sandy or muddy terrain requiring additional setup. A camper shared, "Two things I loved: 1. Cost 2. Shade. One thing didn't love: 1. Sand... so hard even with rugs to pull out of trailer."
Dump station access: Verify availability and location of dump facilities before arrival. One visitor observed, "The hookups were fine, cable was good, wifi was fairly fast but was prone to disconnects. Lots of shopping nearby, fortunately for me because I had to run to Home Depot for a quick repair item."
