2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Elkton, Maryland accommodates equestrian camping with access to extensive riding trails. Located about 75 miles from National Park, New Jersey, this campground features electric hookups and water hookups suitable for horse trailers and camping vehicles. While the campground does not have dedicated horse corrals, the surrounding natural resources area maintains numerous bridle trails and riding opportunities. The bathrooms are clean and well-maintained, with toilet facilities available for overnight campers. Pets are not permitted at this campground, which helps maintain trail conditions for horseback riding.
Brendan Byrne State Forest, situated closer to National Park, New Jersey, connects riders to multiple trail systems through the New Jersey Pine Barrens. The forest's campground accommodates tent camping, RVs, and cabin options, making it versatile for equestrians with different comfort preferences. The sand trails throughout the forest provide suitable terrain for horseback riding, though riders should be aware of occasional vehicle and bicycle traffic on shared pathways. The flat, sandy terrain of the Pine Barrens creates ideal conditions for beginning riders or those looking for less challenging trail experiences. Campsites are spacious enough to accommodate horse trailers, making these horse campgrounds a practical choice for equestrians, though advanced reservations are recommended, especially during peak seasons when the campground fills quickly. Trail riders should prepare for potential tick activity in certain seasons by using appropriate preventative measures.
"We had done a jr. program in national parks and was a great way for us to lean about the area and it’s wildlife as a family. My kids were excited to earn badges and certificates when they finished."
"We were looking for someplace close to the city but away from the hustle and bustle of our city life, this was the perfect little steal-away; relatively close by, great car camping spots, nice easy hikes"
Available this weekend
from $20 - $75 / night
"There are some equestrian and tent sites as well. Lots of boating (electric motors only) and kayaking on the pond and a decent amount of hiking."
"I took her older cousins to the fishing pier, and we didn't even get a nibble, but I think it was too cold for panfish that close to shore."
Available this weekend
from $27 - $45 / night
"Campsite decent size, but some don't have clear boundaries to neighbors, and sometimes not optimally configured (e.g., the site next door's fire pit was placed on the edge of its site/right next to my"
"Sand roads crisscross the whole area and navigation can be a bit tricky the first time around. The campgrounds are clean and simple."
from $3 - $60 / night
"This campground has 2 small loops, the Lake Loop and the Fiddler's Loop. Lake loop is the bigger of the two, however the “sites” are smaller and it's more open. It is popular with group tenters."
"Large campsites at the Lake Loop. Map is a little deceiving- the sites are farther from the lake than I expected and there are no running water bathrooms. Very clean and wooded sites."
from $15 - $50 / night
"The only thing about this site specifically is the trail was close by so you’d occasionally see people walking by but not enough that it didn’t still feel secluded."
"I was only one in the forest ATM but saw some hikers occasionally throughout the day walking by."
from $25 / night
ScoutRestrooms are filthy with mold and mildew.
Water puddled on the restroom floor.really gross.
Cabin was mostly clean. The windows were full of dirt and bugs on the tracks.mattresses were terrible.The fireplace was nice. Kitchen was clean.
Can t wait to move on to a cleaner park.
GuideBeautiful campground but made the mistake of going on a holiday weekend, the campgrounds next to us were screaming and blasting music all day and throughout the night so we ended up leaving early. A beautiful campground when there aren’t noisy capers ruining it.
ScoutFirst time at this campground really like it a lot will be returning. The bathrooms are always clean. The grounds are always kept up. Just a really nice place to stay. Most of the sites have some kind of shade.
LegendWe spent a weekend at French Creek State Park as our home base for the Chester County Balloon Festival. We stayed for 2 nights at a full-hookup paved site, which ran us $55.25 per night.
WHAT I LIKED:
Peace& Quiet: The state park itself was lovely, serene, and felt nice and spacious.
Prime Location: At just 30 minutes away from the balloon festival, this is the closest campground.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
The"Leveling" Challenge: We were at site#C-241, which had a pretty significant slope. It took a few boards under the rear wheels and fully extended jacks just to get us anywhere near level.
Tight Fit for Big Rigs: Even though there was plenty of open space behind our site, the actual driveway pad was too short to comfortably fit our motorhome and Jeep together. Compared to other state parks we’ve visited, the interior roads and layouts felt a bit on the tight side.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
LegendOverall, this is a nice, small (about 65 sites) state park with plenty of recreational opportunities inside the park. There is nice separation between sites so you don’t feel like you are on top of your neighbor. Tall trees are scattered about which provide shade at some sites but overall, the park is pretty open. Roads getting to the park are easy to navigate with any size RV. Within the park, roads are paved and free of potholes and there are no low hanging branches. Since the roads are one-way they are not very wide so backing in big-rigs can be a little tight and you might have to run over the grass.
All RV sites are full hook-up and there is a separate area for tents and there is one canvas yurt for rent. The tent sites are nice in that they are tucked along the wood line slightly away from RVs with more privacy and shade. The only downside is that they are pretty far away from the centrally located bathroom and showers. The bathroom has separate rooms for showers which is nice and private. They were tended to daily and very clean. Also, located in the center of the campground is a playground, camp store and laundry. The dumpsters and recycle bins are located in a separate area on the way out of the campground and were frequently full and overflowing. Campsites are paved and some have wide enough that the patio is paved but others have a narrow pad for the RV and gravel patio. We discovered that most sites are level but a few are not (like 22 and 24). The campground is very clean and camp hosts were diligent about picking up trash and cleaning out fire pits every day.
Across the pond (north of the campground) is where most of the amenities are located such as concessions, ball fields, horseshoe pits, disk golf, and more. For those wanting to fish there is a pier in the campground and a self-serve vending machine with bait in it. There are additional fishing piers located in other parts of the park and there are boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards for rent. We stopped in at the Nature Center but it was a bust– just a few taxidermy specimens and not much information. One of the most popular areas of the park is Go Ape which is a ropes/zip line course through the canopy (which does require admission fee). There are nice trails that leave right from the campground– some 17 miles in all. There is a boat launch about a quarter mile from the campground entrance which is suitable for trailerable boats and paddle craft but there are no docks so you can’t leave your boat tied up there. There is an off-leash dog area but it is located far from the campground so it’s best to drive.
ScoutBathrooms are clean and staff is nice
TravelerThe camp site was amazing. Everything is neat and clean and really beautiful place so quiet.
GuideThis campground has everything. Conveniently located, short drive to Dover, Wilmington, Annapolis and Baltimore. The sites were very large and spacious. Sites can accommodate any type of trailer or vehicle. Plenty of site hookups, areas for tents. There is a camp store, several washer and dryers. The best private, individual shower booths and even a pond to go fishing in.
ScoutThis is our 3rd time at this park, it is one of our favorites. Well maintained, very quiet. We stay in Loop A (full hookup) pet friendly. Sites are spacious, generally large but they are all back-in sites.
Camping opportunities near National Park, New Jersey include several options within the pine forests and waterways of the region. The sandy soil of the Pine Barrens creates a unique ecosystem for camping, with most campgrounds situated between 100-150 feet in elevation. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during the day, while spring and fall camping seasons offer cooler conditions with temperatures from 50-70°F.
Hiking through pine forests: French Creek State Park offers extensive trail systems for day hiking. "We LOVE this campground. It's tiny (19 sites in Fiddlers loop), it's quiet, it's heavily wooded. There is NOTHING to do except walk or bike the beautiful trails (there are a half dozen, easy trails, the longest is around 2 miles), spend time on Chamber's Lake, spend time in the hammock and stare at the fire," notes Jennifer S. about Hibernia County Park.
Fishing in stocked ponds: Multiple campgrounds feature fishing opportunities in small lakes and ponds. "There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish. Ice fishing is also allowed at both lakes and the ice thickness is monitored," mentions a reviewer about French Creek State Park.
Trail riding with horses: The region offers several equestrian camping areas beyond those mentioned in the existing description. Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area provides electric and water hookups specifically designed for horse trailers, with miles of designated bridle paths throughout the 5,600-acre property. Trail maps are available at the ranger station.
Spacious, separated sites: At many campgrounds, the distance between sites creates a private camping experience. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other. Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers," writes Jen R. about French Creek State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Lums Pond State Park consistently receives praise for its maintenance. "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," mentions a camper. Another notes, "Great bath houses, always super clean."
Water activities: Many campers appreciate the paddling opportunities. "We spent a long weekend with family at Lums Pond State Park Campground and so glad we did. Beautiful park setting with fantastic site—spacious, level, good-working hookups, and paved. Great state park with lots to do (kayaking, biking, and more)," says Matt S.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. "Book early because it fills up fast!" advises an Ellen B. about Lums Pond State Park Campground. For horse camping at Fair Hill, reservations should be made at least 14 days in advance during peak season.
Tick prevention: The sandy soil of the Pine Barrens creates ideal conditions for ticks, particularly in late spring and summer. Long pants tucked into socks and thorough tick checks are recommended, especially after trail riding or hiking through tall grass areas.
Campfire regulations: Different campgrounds have varying rules about fires. At Blackbird State Forest, "Each campsite features a picnic table or two, and a fire pit, plus one bundle of firewood." However, some campgrounds limit burning times or require purchasing wood on-site to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Child-friendly fishing areas: Some locations offer designated children's fishing ponds with relaxed regulations. "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," notes a reviewer at Hibernia County Park. These areas typically don't require fishing licenses for children under 12.
Playground access: Brendan Byrne State Forest and other nearby campgrounds feature playground equipment. "There is a nice playground situated conveniently between the loops of the campground. It had some slides, a bridge, lots of monkey bars, ladders to climb on and the best feature was the zip line. All kids and adults agreed it was the most fun!" writes a camper about French Creek State Park.
Trail difficulty considerations: For families with young children, consider the terrain. "The flat, sandy terrain of the Pine Barrens creates ideal conditions for beginning riders or those looking for less challenging trail experiences," says one equestrian camper about Brendan Byrne State Forest. Many trails are suitable for children, with clearly marked easy routes under 2 miles.
Hookup availability: Water and electric access varies significantly between campgrounds. "Sites are big and all were redone in the last few years with concrete pads, 30 amp service and full sewer. There are some equestrian and tent sites as well," notes Ellen B. about Lums Pond State Park.
Size limitations: Many horse-friendly campgrounds can accommodate larger rigs, but access roads may be narrow. "If you have a large camper or 5th wheel you may need to double check what sites can accommodate your RV to ensure you have enough room," advises Jennifer S. about camping at Hibernia County Park.
Leveling challenges: Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area and other equestrian campgrounds often have sites specifically designed for horse trailers with RV hookups, though some preparation may be needed. "The site was fairly level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back. That was a bonus," notes a camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near National Park, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near National Park, NJ is French Creek State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 84 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near National Park, NJ?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near National Park, NJ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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