The best camping near Wharton State Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Wharton State Forest adventure.

98% (22 reviews)

Say all you want about New Jersey, you can't deny the parks are top notch.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Wharton State Forest

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Spacious Skies Country Oaks Campground

138 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Dorothy, NJ

Spacious Skies Country Oaks rests within the countryside of the Pine Barrens region of southern New Jersey, just an hour from Philadelphia and Wilmington, DE, and only 30 miles from the Atlantic City boardwalk. If you are looking for southern New Jersey’s best campsites you have found them! Find peace at our campground in New Jersey which is due south of the Wharton State Forest and surrounded by other wildlife management areas that dot the protected ecoregion. We offer back-in and pull-through RV sites that can accommodate all sized RVs and trailers! Each RV site includes a picnic table, fire ring, 30 or 50-amp electrical service, and sewer. We have deluxe patio sites and some rustic cabins too! Friendly people are waiting by the phone to tell you about our amazing activities, and an atmosphere that all campers will take to heart. Delightfully, Country Oaks campground happens to be surrounded by a number of designated wildlife management areas (WMAs)–Tuckahoe, Maple Lake, and Menantico Ponds to name a few! These areas are popular for hiking/walking, fishing, kayaking, and birding opportunities abound! Our nation’s bird, the bald eagle, is no stranger to this region, along with lots of other species for your bird-watching journal. The Warren E. Fox Nature Center is the headquarters for environmental education within the Atlantic County park system, with fun displays and trials for the whole family. Inland nature aside, Atlantic City and Ocean City beaches and boardwalks are 30-40 minutes away!

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Horse Farm Camping

2 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Bordentown, NJ

Learn more about this land:A beautiful horse farm centered between Philadelphia and New York City. 45 minutes from the beach, 45 minutes from the mountains. Local breweries, wineries and distilleries within minutes. World famous Columbus Farmers Market 5 minutes down the road. Historic Burlington City and the Delaware River just 5 minutes in the opposite direction. We are very social people if you are looking for a new way to meet fun people. Action sports is what we 're doing here a lot of the time (horseback riding, skateboarding, off road riding), so we can point you in the best direction to do the most fun things in the area.

97%

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Pine Creek

4 sites · Tents25 acres · Medford, NJ

Escape to Old Cranberry Farm in the heart of West Jersey! Pitch your tent in our peaceful hay field or find a cozy spot in the woods. Enjoy fishing from our dock and take in the stunning dark skies, perfect for stargazing. Whether you’re seeking adventure or tranquility, our farm is the ultimate getaway. Come experience the beauty of nature today!

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Countryside Horse Farm

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents55 acres · Salem, NJ

Our horse farm is located in one of the most rural areas of Southern New Jersey. This land was once occupied by The Lanape Tribe. The adjacent creek was named after Chief Alloway. Artifacts of Native Americans have been found alongside this brackish water creek. This farm was for many years a dairy farm which was passed on for 3 generations until the late 80's. Our main horse breeds are Arabs followed by Thoroughbreds and 4 miniature ponies. In addition to horses you will see free range rabbits, chickens and Mss. Moo our beautiful cow. There are many antique shops in this area which tell the rich History of Southern NJ. Cowen mall and Royal Port are my two favorites. Hope you enjoy visiting our forgotten part of NJ and make great memories! Learn more about this land: Relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. Feast your eyes on the luscious green pastures with grazing horses and cow while enjoying the sound of wild life all around you. You might even be lucky and spot a Bald Eagle here on our property. If you get caught on a rainy weekend we offer Plenty of indoor activities inside our large indoor arena. You can sit on the lounge and read, play board games, air hockey, darts, archery, watch a movie on the big 20" screen etc... PS movie viewing subject to fees and pre booking

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Open Field for Dry Camping

2 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Ocean View, NJ

Learn more about this land: The field is perfect for tent camping, camper vans, campers, or even sleeping under the stars. This field is available for dry camping, meaning there is no water or sewage hookup and everything is pack in, pack out. A fire pit is also available for use. The property also has friendly goats that love attention. Short distance from back bays, ocean, trails, beaches and an incredible amount of tourist attractions the Cape May County area has to offer!

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(15)

Beach Getaway

1 site · RV1 acre · Point Pleasant Beach, NJ

Property located on the Jersey Shore including 50 amp, sewer, and water. Family friendly area with countless options for all outdoor family fun. Don't miss this opportunity to stay on the Jersey Shore without breaking the bank. Walking distance to beaches and boardwalk with amazing food options in the heart of Point Pleasant beach. **Please understand we offer this property as a campsite because it has full hookup and you're literally a 10 min walk to beach. This is an oversized driveway in a large backyard. In Point Pleasant Beach a hotel is $350 per night. This is an alternative to spending fortune for a weekend or longer**

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That Dome Home RV Site

2 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Manahawkin, NJ

Want to be close to Long Beach Island (LBI) without the crowds? You've found the place! Our lot is 1.22 acres only several miles away from LBI, New Jersey. The owner-occupied residence is tucked away from the road with only one neighbor in sight. We live in a 1987 geodesic dome home on the property. Additionally, our self-converted 2002 International Blue Bird school bus is parked here. There is plenty of room for you to park in the circle driveway or to the left of the dome. Enjoy our large, fenced backyard with plenty of room for activities. We have yard games available (Yard Yahtzee, Spikeball, Molkky, lawn darts, and more) and you're welcome to bring them to the beach. Crab traps, fishing poles, and a cooler are available too. Feel free to start a campfire in the designated area or relax in the two hammocks. We promise you'll never be bored here! LBI beaches, the Manahawkin Lake, restaurants, bars, shopping, and more are all minutes away. Proximity via car: -5 minutes to LBI -3 minutes to Manahawkin Lake -3 minutes to The Old Causeway and Mud City (restaurants) -4 minutes to ManaFirkin Brewing Co. -40 minutes to Atlantic City -70 minutes to Philadelphia

77%

(13)

Summer Jade Stables

7 sites · Lodging, RVs18 acres · Waterford Works, NJ

Learn more about this land: Please READ to avoid confusion!! We are not regular RV/Trailer park. We are an active horse/cattle farm with both indoor and outdoor arena. We often hold ranch sorting events and training. So we provide a few 30A RV outlet for visitors. There is hydrant available to fill up your freshwater tank. Not a full hookup as you expected in campground. We also provide RVs for rent or rooms in the house. The entire farm is flat with plenty parking space. The entrance may look like a narrow long driveway, the parking lot behind building is huge, even for big truck to make U-turn.

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(3)

Old Pine Barrens Blueberry farm

1 site · RV11 acres · Presidential Lakes Estates, NJ

My property is an old blueberry farm. There is a cleared area that I use for dog training at the front of the property and some trails throughout the property; but mostly it’s a quiet place to sleep in a small/medium sized self-contained RV without slide-outs to the side (your RV or van must contain a toilet which must be emptied off-site. Further note: I DO NOT allow tents). Also, if your RV has low clearance, there is a slope from the road to the driveway, thus the bottom of your RV may scrape the ground (neither of my vans have a problem with this: I have a Ford E350 and a Ram Promaster). If on the site in July, you can pick a pint or two of blueberries (IF they are available) for your own use. The berries are chemical free. My neighbor to the right also has a pick-your-own farm with tended blueberry fields (you are not allowed to pick my neighbor’s crop unless he is there so you can pay him) My site is in the NJ Pine Barrens which is renowned for its unspoiled nature, abundant, and diverse wildlife. It is also within the Pinelands National Reserve and within the area designated by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve. Nearby is the Batona Trail, the Franklin Parker preserve, canoeing on Chatsworth Lake or the Wading River, bicycling through the Pine Barrens and and the cranberry bogs on the bicycle lanes on Routes 532 and 563, the quaint village of Chatsworth also known as the Capital of the Pines, Hot Diggidy Dog a food stand within the village of Chatsworth, and Brendan Byrne State Forest which includes the historic cranberry farming village of Whitesbog where the cultivated blueberry was developed by Elizabeth White and Dr. Frederick Coville. The Whitesbog Preservation Trust which manages the village has an extensive year round calendar of events and a month-long blueberry festival during weekends in July.

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Great Times Camp Ground

2 sites · Lodging52 acres · Waterford Works, NJ

Great Times Camp ground has been the home of "Great Times Day Camp" for 25+ years. In the heart of the pinelands, GTDC provides a beautiful ground for campers to enjoy the outdoors and experience new things like boating, hiking, and more. Update - We have added a parking location close to the main site area! It is now extremely easy to access the site location!AC Available! Great Times Camp Ground consists 52 acres of the amazing outdoors including a large natural lake, acres of woods to explore, and lots of fun activities such as volleyball, basketball, and even a beach to enjoy. Great Times operates as a children's day camp during the summer months, but now can be enjoyed all year round.Activities Available:- Basketball Courts- Tennis Courts- Fishing- Beach- Sport Fields for ActivitiesIf you would like the bunkhouse / cabin - you must add it as an extra, otherwise it will be assumed that you are tent camping.

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Winding River Vanlife Retreat

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents1 acre · Hamilton, NJ

Bring your own campervan or stay in one of ours -- enjoy swimming, paddling, and tubing on the river, or hiking and mountain biking through our trails. We're located in rural, outdoorsy South Jersey, and while our property is only 1 acre, we're surrounded by trails, trees, and right on a National Wild and Scenic River. During the warmer months, the Great Egg Harbor River is one of the best birding spots in the U.S., and is fantastic for kayaking, river tubing, and fishing. You'll be able to use our rope swing, star-gaze while laying on the 6-person hammock, and cook on the fire pit. We're also walking distance from miles and miles of hiking, mountain biking, ATV-ing, and horseback riding trails for adventurous afternoons. Drop in your kayak at Penny Pot park and kayak straight our property, or leave from our dock and get picked up 5 miles down at Weymouth park. Spend an hour tubing down our river and walk right back to camp with a 15 minute walk in the woods, then do it all over again! The town of Hammonton (the "Blueberry Capital of The World") is just 15 minutes away, and has a super cute downtown where you can find awesome shops, restaurants, wineries and breweries. The beaches in Atlantic City are only 30 minutes out, and Philadelphia is 45 minutes by car or 1 hour by train. Local grocers like Bagliani's, or large stores like Walmart and Shoprite are located within a 10-15 minute drive. Gas stations, a WaWa, and three restaurants can be found within a 5-8 minute drive. Experience a relaxing weekend out in the woods and by the water, while staying close to amenities and other fun outings. If you bring your own Van, Schoolie, Trailaer, or mid-sized RV, we have 30amp and 15amp hookups available in our driveway. All trash brought into or created on site must be packed out when you leave.

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Secluded Lakeside Haven @ the Shore

4 sites · Lodging40 acres · Cape May Court House, NJ

Discover Cape May County—Southern New Jersey’s hidden gem. Join us by a pristine lake, framed by tall pines and wetlands, which create a vibrant wildlife habitat in a haven of natural beauty. We’ve meticulously crafted a secluded retreat to explore, rejuvenate, & create, all set on a private lake with its own sandy beach. Your stay includes hiking trails, bike path access, fire pit, hammocks, water sports. Experience nature at its finest and make unforgettable memories in this serene sanctuary. . Our secluded four-season retreat welcomes the guest seeking the peace of an exclusive nature getaway, just minutes from renowned beach communities. Leave behind the distractions and busyness of life and make room for stillness and the internal conversations that bring healing and wellness. Whether sitting amidst the pines, catching a sunset from the deck, hiking winding trails, exploring the adjacent county bike path, fishing in a hidden cove, wading in perfectly clear waters, or writing, drawing, birding, boating, singing, praying; a time of peaceful recreation, creativity and restoration awaits. . THE ROOM: The Loft is in its own building, adjacent to the main house where your hosts live. Guests enter through a private, "contactless" foyer using a personalized keypad. A set of stairs lead you to a spaciously designed and well appointed 2nd story loft with a private deck providing full views of the beautiful lake while enjoying your morning or sunset beverage. Large windows flood the open concept space with natural light. The room also has a french balcony, hardwood floors throughout, an eating area for two, a bar/small sink with granite counters, a generous & comfortable living space, a dreamy queen size bed nook with nearby reading chairs, a walk in closet, and a modern bathroom with glass door and tiled shower. . THE PROPERTY: Our 40 acre property is hidden within a quiet suburban neighborhood, and is home to an abundance of turtles, migratory birds, fish, deer, otters, foxes, and much more. Guests have endless access to hiking trails, county bike path, observation tower, prayer labyrinth, scattered lakeside vistas, swimming, water sports, and so much more. . LOCATION: We are located in the quiet town of CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, just five miles from the pure white sandy beaches of Stone Harbor and Avalon, and twelve miles from historic Cape May! With nature hikes, abundant wildlife, glorious sunsets, miles of bike trails, fabulous restaurants, breweries, wineries, shopping, golfing, historical enrichment & more - there's something for everyone on New Jersey’s Cape May Peninsula.

The best camping near Wharton State Forest guide

Overview

About

Wharton is the largest state forest in N.J. It's also the largest single tract of land in the New Jersey park system. Encompassing about 122,880 acres, it's a huge nature-lovers playground.

Wharton houses Batsto Village, a former bog iron and glassmaking industrial center from 1766 to 1867.

You'll find miles of unpaved roads for mountain biking and horseback riding. Numerous lakes, ponds, and rivers beckon to canoers, kayakers, and anglers. The open fields here are ideal for wildlife observation. Plentiful hiking trails include a major section of the 50-mile Batona Trail.

Comfort campers find nine furnished cabins located on Atsion Lake. Atsion campsites include 50 tent and trailer sites. Godfrey Bridge offers 49 tent and trailer sites.

Primitive campers have many options equipped with hand pumps for water and pit toilets. Two primitive campsites can only be accessed by hiking, canoeing or horseback.

Notable campgrounds

Batsto River Campground: Nestled by the river, perfect for water enthusiasts and serene star-gazing.
Mullica River Campground: Offers a remote escape, ideal for experiencing the forest's natural tranquility.
Goshen Pond Campground: A picturesque spot for anglers and kayakers, surrounded by the forest's lush greenery.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Book early to secure your ideal spot, as campgrounds fill up quickly during peak seasons.
Consider visiting during weekdays for better availability and a quieter experience.
Keep an eye on cancellation policies for last-minute openings.
Explore nearby camping options to increase your chances of finding a site.

When to go

The prime time to visit Wharton State Forest is during the spring and fall, when mild temperatures create perfect conditions for outdoor activities. Summer offers lush foliage but can be hot and busy, while winter brings a peaceful solitude, albeit with chillier weather.

Know before you go

Check the forest's website for any trail closures or safety alerts before your visit.
Ensure you have a map, as cell service can be spotty in remote areas.
Bring plenty of water and snacks, especially if you plan to hike or bike the trails.
Remember to pack out your trash and respect the natural environment.
Accessible facilities are available, but check ahead for specific needs.