Camping cabins near Willingboro, New Jersey provide convenient access to the expansive Pine Barrens region, characterized by sandy soils, cedar swamps, and over 1 million acres of protected wilderness. Temperatures vary significantly across seasons, with summer highs reaching 90°F and winter lows often dropping below freezing. Most cabin facilities in the region operate seasonally, with prime availability from April through November.
What to do
River activities: Wading River offers excellent kayaking opportunities directly from campsites. One visitor at Wading Pines Camping Resort noted, "You can tube down the river from one end of camp to the other." Tubing trips typically last about 2 hours from Hawkins Bridge down to the campground.
Trail exploration: Pine Barrens paths are extensive and well-marked in most areas. According to a camper at Brendan Byrne State Forest, "There are probably hundreds of miles of trails through the woods and bogs to explore. Can't tell you how much I love it. Could spend a whole vacation just with these trails."
Fishing: Multiple stocked ponds are available at several campgrounds. As one visitor at Turkey Swamp Park mentioned, "There is a pretty lake with good fishing and they sell bait at the Ranger office." Most fishing areas are catch-and-release with seasonal regulations.
Archery: Target practice is available at dedicated ranges. One reviewer noted, "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels" at Turkey Swamp Park, which offers this activity year-round when weather permits.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation between camping spots. A visitor at Old Cedar Campground mentioned their unique view: "We faced the cow pasture so we had a great view. No prob w bugs. Sites r close together but not on top of each other."
Clean facilities: Bathroom conditions are consistently highlighted in reviews. A camper at Turkey Swamp Park noted, "The bathrooms and showers are clean and well maintained." Most campground bathrooms are centrally located and include hot water showers.
Natural surroundings: The Pine Barrens ecosystem creates a distinctive camping environment. According to one visitor at Brendan Byrne State Forest: "It's in the great NJ pine barrens. This place is fantastic! The smells, the sounds, the wildlife. Love it." The unique cedar-tinted water and sandy soil are characteristic of the region.
Campfire regulations: Wood availability varies by location. One camper at Old Cedar Campground stated, "We had to pay $50 per night for a tent site that was sandy mud. The facilities were nice and they had a pool and some other amenities." Most campgrounds restrict outside firewood due to invasive species concerns.
What you should know
Tick prevention: Prepare for potential tick exposure in wooded areas. A recent visitor at Turkey Swamp Park warned, "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." Long pants, proper insect repellent, and regular checks are essential.
Seasonal operations: Most cabin facilities have limited availability. At Atsion Cabins, a camper reported, "Nov 1 marks an end to cabin rentals until the Spring... While there is electricity, there is NO heat or AC. Our last day was November 1st and it was COLD." Check weather forecasts and pack appropriate bedding.
Water access considerations: Bringing extra water hoses is recommended. A camper at Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA stated, "The water hookups are shared every other site. I was lucky my 75' hose barely reached the distance needed."
Noise levels: Some campgrounds host events with amplified sound. A visitor noted about Wading Pines: "Never stayed at Wading Pines, but have camped in the state park next to it and their live music (a terrible cover band) blasts every weekend until midnight into the park." Check event calendars before booking quiet getaways.
Tips for camping with families
Supervised water activities: Several campgrounds offer kid-friendly swimming and boating. At Butterfly Camping Resort, a visitor shared, "Enjoyed our stay! Large playground and lots of activities for the kids. Site was large, and had trees and shrubs separating the sites." Most water facilities are operational between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Playground access: Multiple facilities include play equipment for different age groups. A camper at Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA wrote, "This campground was so well maintained. There was so much to do there a pool, lake, horseshoes, cornhole, playground, big pillow and even more." Most playgrounds are centrally located near bathroom facilities.
Weekend activities: Organized events are common during peak season. One visitor at Old Cedar Campground mentioned, "Every Saturday they had an organized activity for the kids... they had pool toys to borrow, fish (and yes they caught bass)." Activity schedules are typically posted at camp offices.
Site selection: Consider proximity to facilities when booking with children. A Turkey Swamp camper advised, "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." Cabins tend to book 3-6 months in advance for summer weekends.
Tips from RVers
Site surface conditions: Prepare for predominantly sandy camping areas. A camper at Butterfly Camping Resort observed, "The site was sandy. The whole place is sandy. This is messy, especially after a bit of rain, and makes it a constant challenge to keep the sand out of the RV." Bringing extra outdoor mats is recommended.
Road conditions: Interior campground roads vary in quality. One visitor at Brendan Byrne State Forest mentioned, "First off, I will start by saying you have to drive a good amount of distance to get into the campground and that is something I really enjoyed! Made me feel super secluded and disconnected from the outside!" Most access roads are unpaved.
WiFi reliability: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. A camper at Butterfly Camping Resort noted, "They offer wifi which is nice to have, but it didn't work very well. I realize this is a common complaint at many campgrounds, but we've come to want to stay connected."
Hookup access: Some sites have unusual utility arrangements. At Old Cedar Campground, a visitor shared, "Wifi worked well enough for us to stream Netflix and YouTube. We didn't use the shower or laundry facilities." Most sites with full hookups command premium pricing during summer months.
