A complete guide to camping in New Jersey

New Jersey camping runs along two axes: the Pine Barrens in the south-central region and the shore from Sandy Hook to Cape May. The Pine Barrens cover over a million acres of pitch pine and oak forest atop the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer, creating a landscape of tea-colored rivers, sandy trails, and solitude that contradicts New Jersey's suburban reputation. Wharton State Forest, the largest single tract of land in the state park system, anchors the Pine Barrens camping.
Cape May at the southern tip draws beach campers and birders to one of the best raptor migration viewing points on the East Coast. The Delaware Water Gap along the northwest border provides mountain-ridge camping that feels like Pennsylvania's Poconos. Stokes and High Point state parks in the northwest corner sit above 1,000 feet with forested Appalachian terrain. The Jersey Shore from Island Beach to Wildwood offers beach-adjacent camping, though sites are limited and competitive.
Mar-May
High 61°F · Low 49°F
Pine Barrens rivers run from winter rain. Wildflowers and warblers arrive. Beach campgrounds open by May. Cape May spring birding migration peaks in May. Cool ocean temperatures.
Jun-Aug
High 80°F · Low 68°F
Peak season. Shore campgrounds and Pine Barrens fill on weekends. July averages 76 degrees. Ocean water warms by August. Humidity builds. Greenhead flies on the coast in July.
Sep-Nov
High 61°F · Low 49°F
September extends beach season. Cape May raptor migration peaks in October. Pine Barrens stay warm into October. Fall color in the northwest hills peaks in late October. The best overall camping window.
Dec-Feb
High 42°F · Low 30°F
January averages 34 degrees. Most campgrounds close by November. Some Pine Barrens campgrounds stay open year-round. Winter birding at Cape May draws a dedicated following.
| Season | Months | Avg High | Avg Low | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Mar-May | 61°F | 49°F | Pine Barrens rivers run from winter rain. |
| Summer | Jun-Aug | 80°F | 68°F | Peak season. |
| Fall | Sep-Nov | 61°F | 49°F | September extends beach season. |
| Winter | Dec-Feb | 42°F | 30°F | January averages 34 degrees. |
Source: NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals

| Region | Terrain | Key Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Pine Barrens | Forest | Hammonton, Batsto, Egg Harbor City, Chatsworth |
| Cape May and Southern Shore | Coastal | Cape May, Woodbine, Ocean View, Wildwood |
| Delaware Water Gap and Northwest | Mountain | Branchville, Layton, Blairstown, Columbia |
| Central Shore | Coastal | Sandy Hook, Farmingdale, Toms River, Barnegat |
Forest · Hammonton, Batsto, Egg Harbor City, Chatsworth
Over a million acres of pitch pine forest in south-central New Jersey. Wharton State Forest (115,000 acres) is the largest tract. Tea-colored rivers wind through sandy terrain above the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer. Canoe camping, backcountry hiking, and solitude define the Pine Barrens experience. It is the largest open space between Boston and Richmond. Paradise Lakes Campground and Roamers Beach RV Resort near Hammonton provide developed bases at the northern edge of the Pine Barrens.
Coastal · Cape May, Woodbine, Ocean View, Wildwood
Cape May sits at the southern tip where Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic. Fall raptor migration is among the best viewing in North America. Belleplain State Forest and Cape May Point State Park provide camping near the shore. Wildwood and the barrier island beaches line the coast north of Cape May. Sun Retreats Seashore and Cape Island Resort near Cape May, and Carol Lynn Resorts in Woodbine serve the southern shore raptor migration and beach corridor.
Mountain · Branchville, Layton, Blairstown, Columbia
The Kittatinny Ridge along the northwest border provides the highest terrain in the state. Stokes State Forest and High Point State Park sit above 1,000 feet. The Appalachian Trail runs along the ridgeline. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides river access and camping on the Pennsylvania border. Harmony Ridge Farm and Campground and Kymer's Campground near Branchville serve the Kittatinny Ridge and Appalachian Trail area.
Coastal · Sandy Hook, Farmingdale, Toms River, Barnegat
The barrier islands and mainland coast from Sandy Hook south through Island Beach. Cheesequake State Park near the Raritan Bay serves the northern metro population. Allaire State Park along the Manasquan River provides inland camping near the shore. The most densely populated camping corridor in the state. Brookville Campgrounds near Barnegat and Allaire State Park Campground near Howell Township provide the primary central shore developed options.

Over a million acres of pine and oak forest in south-central New Jersey. Despite the state's suburban reputation, the Pine Barrens are the largest tract of undeveloped land on the East Coast between Boston and Richmond. Tea-colored rivers, sandy soil, and pitch pine define the landscape. Camping, canoeing, and hiking are the primary activities.
Fall raptor migration at Cape May peaks from mid-September through late October. Hawks, eagles, falcons, and vultures funnel along the coast before crossing Delaware Bay. Cape May Point State Park and the Cape May Bird Observatory are the primary viewing locations. Over 50,000 raptors pass through in a good season.
Multiple rivers in the Pine Barrens (Mullica, Batsto, Wading, Oswego) support canoe and kayak camping. Outfitters provide rentals and shuttle service. Primitive riverside campgrounds are accessible by water. Wharton State Forest issues permits for backcountry camping. The water is clean, tea-colored from cedar tannins, and generally calm.
The Kittatinny Ridge in the northwest reaches 1,803 feet at High Point, the state's highest elevation. High Point and Stokes state parks provide forested camping along the Appalachian Trail corridor. The terrain is genuine Appalachian ridge with hemlock ravines and hardwood forest. It feels distinctly different from the rest of the state.
Very competitive. New Jersey shore campgrounds open reservations 11 months ahead and popular parks fill within days for July and August weekends. Midweek stays and September visits have better availability. Pine Barrens campgrounds are easier to book and provide a contrasting but equally rewarding experience.