13th Hour Escape Rooms - "The Campground"

Cici Cao
Aug 6
3 min read

LOCATION:  Wharton, New Jersey, USA

13th Hour Escape Rooms - "The Campground"

Photo above is property of 13th Hour Escape Rooms

📝 ETR DECODER

🔑 GAME: The Campground
📅 DATE PLAYED: July 27, 2025
🎬 GENRE: Mystery
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 6 ppl): /10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up To 8 ppl
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 90 Mins
💰 PRICE: $49.00/ pp
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes

📖 THE STORY

One of your friends has vanished from a mysterious campsite at Whispering Oaks State Forest, and it's your mission to find them before time runs out. Decipher clues by the campfire and uncover secrets beneath the moonlit forest...

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

When the GM gathered our team for the rescue mission of a missing person, we were eager to enter into the mysterious Whispering Oaks State Forest. The GM's concise and clear message pumped us up for the mission ahead.
We appreciated how the creator used TV news as a narrative tool to convey the storyline and provide a sense of progression without relying on an actual timer.
The set design, as expected, was outstanding! From the ranger's office to the forest and the cabin, every detail, from props to clues, was perfectly aligned.
The special effects, sounds, and ambient lighting truly immersed us in the woods, creating a sense of impending danger.
This experience is packed with puzzles. It starts with simpler visual puzzles and progresses to multi-step challenges, keeping us engaged nonstop. The teamwork required made the experience even more enjoyable.
13th Hour excels at incorporating personalization, which we thoroughly enjoyed. It made us feel like characters in a real-life adventure.
There were no moments of confusion about what opened or where. Everything was clear, and the reveals were truly "magical".
Our favorite puzzles involved associating certain props with clues, leading to those satisfying "ohhhh, it's for that" moments we loved.
The puzzle solutions were not too difficult, yet they weren't handed to us either. The logic behind the placement of clues was impeccable.
The game concluded with a "bang." It felt so authentic that some players momentarily forgot it was a game and reacted as if it were real, trying to run away. It was an exhilarating to see.

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

We absolutely loved everything about this game. It would be even better if the forest space were a bit larger, especially if you have played their other games.

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

13th Hour has been our absolute favorite NJ escape company since our first visit in 2019! Whenever they announce a new game, we can't contain our excitement because we know they're going to deliver with their incredible set designs and mind-blowing puzzles. Each experience is better than the last, and this time was no different! We loved the captivating storyline and how they whisked us away from reality into a haunting forest for 90 thrilling minutes. Surprisingly, this game isn't as "scary" as some of their others, given their haunt background, so it's perfect for families and large groups. If you're seeking a more "magical" adventure, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" remains our top pick, so be sure to book that next!

ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

Free parking lot right in front
Located in Warehouse "B" door 11
Lobby area with seating available
It's important to note that the game uses fake snow; if your team has any allergies to it, you can have the GM turn it off immediately.

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

Check out our YouTube video for a sneak peek of the location, an interview with the owner, the room(s) (no puzzle spoilers) and more:

Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

BOOK NOW

(If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!)

Disclosure: We thank 13th Hour Escape Rooms for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.