Wooded campgrounds around Wall, New Jersey offer varied seasonal camping experiences in the Pine Barrens region. With sandy soil, pine forests, and freshwater lakes characteristic of the area, campers can find both established sites and more rustic options within a 30-minute drive. The region experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters, making spring and fall particularly pleasant for outdoor activities.
What to do
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park features an archery range where visitors can practice their skills. As Patrick M. mentions, "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels," making it a distinctive outdoor activity beyond typical camping recreation.
Winter recreation: While most campgrounds focus on summer activities, Allaire State Park offers winter camping options. Lisa S. notes, "We found this campground one night when we were in NJ. It ended up snowing that night. The bathrooms were clean and warm. There is a lot to do in the area."
River tubing: The Wading River provides a natural water feature at Wading Pines Camping Resort. According to Layne, "You can tube down the river from one end of camp to the other," offering a refreshing activity during summer months. Stacy D. adds specific details: "Have someone drop you off at Hawkins Bridge and float down to the campground. A little over 2 hour ride."
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Turkey Swamp Park campers appreciate the natural setting. Lee D. describes, "Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy. A lantern hook, picnic table, and fire ring complete each site."
Winter cabin options: Brendan Byrne State Forest remains open year-round with primitive camping. According to Patrick M., "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."
Lakefront camping: Several parks offer waterfront sites. At Atsion Family Camp in Wharton State Forest, Alexa L. recommends, "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)."
What you should know
Tick prevention: Some campers report issues with ticks, particularly at Turkey Swamp Park. Laura Y. warns, "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2... I have been RVing for 2-3 years and this is the first time this many ticks ambushed us."
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies between campgrounds. At Brendan Byrne State Forest, campers report "clean and stocked" bathrooms, while at Turkey Swamp, Lee D. notes, "The only thing missing were hooks or shelves for toiletries but there was a large bench that could be used."
Noise levels: Some campgrounds maintain a quiet atmosphere while others are more active. Jim F. comments about Wading Pines: "Their live music (a terrible cover band) blasts every weekend until midnight into the park. Can't imagine how loud and awful the music is in the campground."
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly activities: Timberland Lake Campground offers numerous activities for children. Jessica D. explains, "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."
Bug planning: When camping with young children, insect management becomes important. JAEWOOK P. shares a positive experience at Turkey Swamp: "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!"
Beach access: Several campgrounds offer swimming opportunities. Dina S. notes about Wharton State Forest, "We tent camped at Atsion in 2015: had flush toilets and was close to the checkin station/store as well as the beach on the lake."
Tips from RVers
Hookup options: For RVers seeking full hookups, options exist but vary in quality. At Timberland Lake, Robyn W. explains, "The park consists of permanent trailers, many tents for places to camp. There is lake in the middle and spots available along the water with their own dock." She also mentions a downside: "Sand... so hard even with rugs to pull out of trailer."
Road conditions: Many campgrounds have dirt or sandy roads. Lee D. describes Turkey Swamp: "As soon as you turn off the main road to the park, all roads are dirt, which was a bit surprising. They were well-maintained and in dry weather, not a problem, but probably not if it was rainy."
Reservations: RV sites at luxury glamping near Wall, New Jersey fill quickly, especially during summer months. James G. notes that Long Beach RV Resort is the "nicest campground in the area" with "clean, quiet, lots of activities for both children and adults," making advance planning essential.
