Camden County has more green space, waterfront access, and outdoor programming than most South Jersey residents realize. The county’s park system covers 2,700 acres across dozens of parks, trails, and open spaces. Combine that with easy access to the Delaware River waterfront, Cooper River, and a summer calendar packed with free events, and there is no shortage of things to do outside between now and Labor Day.
Here is a guide to the best outdoor activities and destinations in Camden County for summer 2026.
Cooper River Park
Cooper River Park is one of the most used public green spaces in all of South Jersey, and it earns that reputation. The park stretches across Pennsauken, Cherry Hill, Collingswood, and Haddon Township and offers something for nearly every kind of outdoor visitor.
The Cooper River itself hosts rowing and kayaking throughout the season. The 3.4-mile paved trail around the lake is one of the best walking and running paths in the region, flat enough for casual visitors and well-maintained year round. The park also hosts several of the county’s free 2026 Summer Concert Series events on Thursday evenings at the Jack Curtis Stadium.
For families, the playground areas, picnic pavilions, and open lawn space make Cooper River an easy full-day destination. Parking is accessible off Cuthbert Boulevard and Route 130.
Wiggins Park and the Camden Waterfront
The Camden waterfront has transformed significantly over the past two decades, and Wiggins Park sits at the center of it. Located at the foot of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, the park offers one of the best views of the Philadelphia skyline available anywhere on the New Jersey side of the river.
In summer, Wiggins Park hosts the Sunset Jazz Series every Monday night, the July 4th Freedom Festival featuring the Commodores, and the XPoNential Music Festival in September. All three events are free or ticketed through WXPN.
The waterfront is accessible by PATCO Speedline, making it one of the easiest major outdoor destinations in the county to reach without a car. The nearby Adventure Aquarium and the Battleship New Jersey Museum are both within walking distance for families who want to extend the visit.
Haddon Lake Park
Haddon Lake Park in Haddon Township is a quieter alternative to Cooper River, with a lake, walking paths, and the McLaughlin-Norcross Memorial Dell, an outdoor amphitheater that hosts the Wednesday night Sundown Music Series all summer. Artists like Sixpence None the Richer on July 29 and Here Come the Mummies on September 16 headline the 2026 schedule.
The park is well-suited for picnicking, birdwatching, and relaxed afternoon walks. It draws a local crowd rather than a regional one, which keeps it uncrowded on most days even during peak summer weekends.
Pennypacker Park and the Cooper River Watershed
Pennypacker Park in Cherry Hill is part of the broader Cooper River watershed corridor and offers a mix of wooded trails, open meadows, and riverside access that feels far removed from suburban South Jersey. The trails here attract walkers, birders, and trail runners looking for more natural terrain than the paved Cooper River path provides.
The park connects to the broader network of Camden County green spaces and is a starting point for longer explorations of the watershed system that runs through the county’s midsection.
Berlin Park
Berlin Park in the eastern part of the county is one of the county’s largest and least crowded green spaces. The park features athletic fields, picnic areas, a lake, and wooded trails. For families looking for a low-key outdoor day without the crowds that come with Cooper River or the waterfront on a summer weekend, Berlin Park delivers.
The Delaware River Trail and Camden Greenway
The city of Camden has invested in its greenway and riverfront trail network over the past decade, creating connected paths that link the waterfront to neighborhoods inland. The trail system is still expanding, but the existing routes along the river offer urban cycling and walking routes with strong views of the water and the bridge infrastructure that defines this part of the city.
For cyclists, the trail connects with the broader Delaware River Trail system, which runs along both sides of the river and links Camden to regional trail networks extending north and south through New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Local Festivals and Outdoor Events This Summer
Beyond the concert series, Camden County and the surrounding municipalities host a dense calendar of outdoor events all summer. The Haddonfield Crafts and Fine Art Festival runs July 11 to 12. The South Jersey Caribbean Festival takes place in Camden on July 11. The Cooper River Dragon Boat Regatta is scheduled for June 20 in Cherry Hill. The Battleship New Jersey Beer Festival at 62 Battleship Place on the Camden waterfront is set for June 20, featuring over 30 New Jersey breweries.
For families, the summer programming at Camden County’s parks includes youth sports leagues, swimming at county pools, and seasonal activities across the park network. The Camden County website maintains a full events calendar updated throughout the season.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Camden County This Summer
A few practical notes for residents planning their outdoor season. PATCO Speedline is the fastest and easiest way to reach the Camden waterfront from Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Collingswood, and beyond. Parking at Cooper River Park, Haddon Lake, and Wiggins Park fills up on concert nights, so arriving 30 to 45 minutes early makes a real difference.
Most county parks are open sunrise to sunset. Pavilion and picnic area reservations can be made through the Camden County Parks Department for groups and events. Dogs are welcome at most outdoor areas on leash.
Camden County’s summer is longer than most residents take advantage of. The combination of free concerts, well-maintained parks, waterfront access, and a full festival calendar makes it one of the better outdoor seasons anywhere in South Jersey. You do not need to drive to the Shore to have a strong summer in your own backyard.
For a full list of summer events, community news, and local coverage, visit the Camden Times news section and the Best Of section throughout the season.