Let’s go camping in New Jersey: Little Hooves Make Big Impressions!
This is a condensed version of a story by Lisa Merman Bender that originally appears in the 2025 edition of the New Jersey Camping and Vacation Guide. Order a FREE copy here.
Marmora, New Jersey --Let's go camping in New Jersey...and get in touch with the wild side!
Along the islands from Ocean City to Cape May, you're never more than 20 miles away from one of the most delightful places in New Jersey: Little Hooves Farm.
Cape May Court House in Cape May County is a gorgeous part of New Jersey stretching from the Atlantic Ocean and its barrier island beaches, through farmland and forests, to the Delaware Bayshore. Drive directly west for only five miles and you'll find yourself at Little Hooves Farm at Ponderosa Campground, getting a social media-worthy photo with a glittered and glamoured miniature horse.
The "hooves" of Little Hooves Farm include horses, miniature horses, pigs, cows and goats. However, there are other furry and feathered friends who live at the farm as well. With a visit to Little Hooves Farm, visitors snuggle a bunny and cuddle a chicken, too.
You may be wondering how or why there is a farm at a campground.
Owner Marci Kelleher was raised at Ponderosa Campground since her mother purchased the farm back in 1979. Her father was a commercial fisherman which of course meant long stretches away. So, her mother wanted a place where she could raise her five children while giving them space to be active and in nature. According to Marci, it was a great way to grow up. She eventually took over the family business.
In 2013, she got an idea. She wasn't in the classroom anymore, but as a special ed teacher she understood how hands-on experiences enriched children's lives and felt incorporating animals would improve the campground operation. She started with a few fainting goats, adorable dog-sized creatures jumping and playing in a pen when--with an occasional startle--they stiffen and tip over just to get right back up.
The goats were such a hit that Marci decided to add a baby Jersey Cow she named Darla. And then things grew from there.
Marci's daughter Sydney Nelson is credited by her mom as officially starting Little Hooves Farm because of her desire to rescue animals. Nelson is a Barrel Racer. She travels out west throughout most of the year competing in Barrel Horse Racing events, and if she finds out about an animal in need, she'll collect it and bring it home to Little Hooves Farm where she spends her summers helping her mom with the farm and campground.
Nelson's rescue efforts also include outbidding others at livestock markets who have bleaker plans for the animals. Her winning bid brought Prince, who provides campground visitors with kisses and pony rides. This was a big step forward in the establishment of Little Hooves Farm.
Even though the facility is not strictly a rescue farm, most of the animals at Little Hooves Farm were rescued and operating the facility costs money. When people stay at Ponderosa Campground, they can visit the farm for free--a great reason to book a site! However, if you are camping at another campground, on in the area for a beach vacation, or just looking for a day trip or activity, you can also visit Little Hooves Farm for a low cost of $5 which, along with donations, greatly helps offset the operating costs.
A visit to Little Hooves Farm includes seeing all the animals and getting up close with some that are happy to come to the edge of their pen for affection. You can tour the grounds and stroll through the stables in the incredibly clean, and fashionably decorated barn.
In addition to farm visits, guests can enjoy festivals a few times a year, and reservation-only personal farm experiences, including an ultimate birthday package. Each opportunity is its own unique adventure. School field trips for students in pre-K through third grade are also available.
Descriptions and pricing for all general and personal farm experiences are on Little Hooves Farm's website at www.littlehoovesfarm.com. Reservations for camping at Ponderosa Campground can be made at www.ponderosacampground.com.
Find Little Hooves Farm at Ponderosa Campground, 18 West Beaver Dam Road, Cape May Court House, NJ, 08210. Information is online at www.littlehoovesfarm.com.
Unless otherwise noted, photos for this story provided by and copyright of Lisa Merman Bender.
Get in touch with New Jersey's wild side with a visit to these zoos and refuges:
Southern Shore Region
Cape May County Park & Zoo
www.cmczoo.com
Cohanzick Zoo
www.cohanzick-zoo.com
Shore Region
Popcorn Park Animal Refuge
www.ahscares.org/popcorn-park
Gateway Region
Turtle Back Zoo
www.turtlebackzoo.com
Bergen County Zoo
www.co.bergen.nj.us/bergen-county-zoo/zoo-main
Skylands Region
Space Farms Zoo & Museum
www.spacefarms.com
Go deep at these New Jersey-based aquariums:
Delaware River Region
Adventure Aquarium
www.adventureaquarium.com
Shore Region
Jenkinson's Aquarium
www.jenkinsons.com/aquarium
Greater Atlantic Region
Atlantic City Aquarium
www.acaquarium.com
Gateway Region
Sea Life(r) Aquarium
www.americandream.com/venue/sealifeaquarium
Information about land-based and aquatic animal attractions sourced from www.visitnj.com.
For more information about the New Jersey Campground Owners Association (NJCOA) visit www.gocampingnj.com, or follow New Jersey Campgrounds on Facebook and Instagram - @NJCampgrounds.
# # #
About NJCOA: Since 1963 the New Jersey Campground Owners Association, headquartered in Pomona, NJ, has been the official state association for NJ's independently operated campgrounds throughout the state. More information is available at www.gocampingnj.com.
