Camping in the Pine Barrens

With it's close proximity to urban and suburban locales, the wilderness of the Pine Barrens makes it a natural attracion for those who are looking to experience nature. To that end, there are numerous public and private camping facilities available.

The author has not had an opportunity to try any of these locations, and their inclusion or exclusion on this list should not constitute an opinion one way or another on the quality of the campground. If there is a campground that does not appear on this list, please send us an email with the name, address, and telephone number of the facility.

Public Campgrounds:

These facilities are run by the State of New Jersey. As such, you will need to obtain a permit before using one of the campsites. Campers are encouraged to reserve their campsites early, as they tend to fill up fast. Also, a no alcoholic beverages rule is strictly enforced. Pets are not permitted in overnight facilites. Please see this site for information on reserving a public campsite.

Wharton State Forest
Mailing Address:
4110 Nesco Road
Hammonton, NJ 08037
Batsto Office: (609) 561-0024
Atsion Office: (609) 268-0444

Atsion campsites: 50 tent and trailer sites with fire rings and picnic tables. Potable water, flush toilets and showers are within walking distance. Please call ahead for campfire regulations. Trailer sanitary station open April 1 through mid-December. Campsites open April 1 through mid-December. $20 per night.

Atsion Cabins: Nine furnished cabins with screened porch, fireplace, refrigerator, hot and cold running water, bathroom with toilet and shower; single beds. Cabin #6 contains 2 bunks. All cabins are designed for people with disabilities. Five cabins accommodate 4 people; three cabins accommodate 6 people; 1 cabin accommodates 8 people. Cabins are located on Atsion Lake. Open April 1 through October 31. Four Person Cabin: $45 per night, $315 per week. Six Person Cabin: $65 per night, $455 per week. Eight Person Cabin: $85 per night, $595 per week.

Godfrey Bridge: 49 tent and trailer sites (21 feet or less), water, picnic tables, fire rings, pit toilets. Please call ahead for campfire regulations. Trailers may use trailer sanitary station at Atsion. Campsites open all year. $20 per night.

Wilderness campsites: (group, individual, and family) Bodine Field, Hawkins Bridge, Batona Campsite, Mullica River Wilderness Campsite, and Goshen Pond have hand pumps for water and pit toilets. Buttonwood Hill and Lower Forge sites have no water. Mullica River and Lower Forge are wilderness sites, access by hiking, canoeing or by horseback; motor vehicles are not permitted. All other areas are accessible by motor vehicles. Please call ahead for campfire regulations. Campsite capacities vary from 50-250 persons. Wilderness Campsites: $1 per person per night.

Brendan Byrne (Lebanon) State Forest:
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 215
New Lisbon, NJ 08064
(609) 726-1191

Campsites: 79 tent and trailer sites each with fire rings and picnic tables. Flush toilets, showers and laundry facilities are within walking distance. Trailer sanitary station open year round. Campsites open all year. $20 per night.

Group campsites: Three group sites; total capacity: 100. Fire rings, picnic tables, water, and flush toilets. Open year round. $30.00 per night.

Pakim Pond Cabins: Three cabins with furnished living room with fireplace; two double-deck bunks; kitchen with running water, electric stove, refrigerator; half-baths with toilet and basin. Electricity. Each accommodates four people. With prior permission from the superintendent, two additional people may be accommodated. Cabins are on the shore of Pakim Pond. Showers are available at camping area. Open April 1 through October 31. $45 per night, $315 per week.

Yurts: Three yurts. Circular tents built on a wood frame, featuring a plexiglass skylight. Each yurt has a lockable wood door, window screens and flaps, and two double-deck bunks, which sleep up to four people. Accessible to persons with disabilities. $30 per night.

Bass River State Forest:
Mailing Address:
762 Stage Rd
Tuckerton, NJ 08087
(609) 296-1114

Campsites: 176 tent and trailer sites with fire rings and picnic tables. Flush toilets, showers and laundry facilities are within walking distance of all sites. No hook-ups provided. Each site accommodates a maximum of six campers, two vehicles (including trailers) and two tents. Trailer sanitary station is open March 1 through November 30. Campsites open all year. $20 per night.

Group Campsites: Six group campsites with water and pit toilets are within walking distance. Each site accommodates a maximum of 25 campers. Parking is directly on the site. Open all year. $25 per night

Lean-tos: Nine handicap accessible lean-tos each with a hardwood floor and a woodburning stove. Outdoor picnic table, fire ring and grill. Flush toilets, showers, and laundry facilities are within walking distance. Located on the south shore. Accommodates a maximum of six people. Open all year. $30 per night.

Shelters: Six lakeside shelters with two bunk rooms, one double-deck bunk in each room, a living room with a picnic table and bench, woodburning stove and screened double door. Outdoor grill for cooking, table and benches. Flush toilets and shower facilities are nearby. Shelters are located along the north shore of Lake Absegami. No ground fires and no outside wood fires allowed. Accommodates a maximum of four people. Open April 1 through October 31. $40 per night

Lake Absegami Cabins: Six lakefront cabins with living room with double-deck bunk and fireplace; two bunk rooms with double-deck bunks; kitchen with running water, electric stove, refrigerator; bathroom with shower, toilet, and sink. Screened-in porch faces lake. Electricity. Each accommodates a maximum of six people. Cabins are located along the north shore of Lake Absegami. No ground fires and no outside wood fires allowed. Open April 1 through October 31. $65 per night, $455 per week.

Private Campgrounds:

Chips Folly Family Campgrounds
http://www.chipsfolly.com
New Gretna, NJ
(609) 296-4434

Belhaven Lake Resort Campgrounds
http://www.belhavencampground.com/home.htm
1213 Rte. 542
Green Bank, NJ 08215
(609) 965-2827

Pilgrim Lake Campground
New Gretna, NJ
(609) 296-4725

Union Hill Campground
163 Leektown Road
Egg Harbor, NJ
609-296-8599

Turtle Run Campground
New Gretna, NJ
800-894-8854

Wading Pines Resort
http://www.wadingpines.com
85 Godfrey Bridge Rd
Chatsworth, NJ 08019
(888) 726-1313