Camping in New Jersey

A complete guide to camping in New Jersey

Serene rowboat on Basto Lake in New Jersey's Pine Barrens at sunset

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Overview

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.

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Best Seasons to Camp in New Jersey

Spring

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.

Summer

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.

Fall

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.

Camping Regions in New Jersey

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

Pine Barrens

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.

Cape May and Southern Shore

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.

Delaware Water Gap and Northwest

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.

Central Shore

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.

Camping Tips for New Jersey

Island Beach State Park does not have camping but nearby state and private campgrounds provide shore access. The park itself is a barrier island preserved in natural condition.
Pine Barrens rivers (Mullica, Batsto, Wading, Oswego) are canoe and kayak territory. Outfitters operate along the major put-in points. Many primitive campgrounds sit along the rivers.
Greenhead flies on the coast from mid-June through July can be ferocious. They bite hard and are not deterred by DEET. Beach breezes help. Interior marsh areas are the worst.
New Jersey state park camping reservations open 11 months in advance. Shore parks fill within days for summer. Pine Barrens have better availability.
Ticks carrying Lyme disease are a serious concern statewide. New Jersey has high Lyme rates. Use standard tick prevention at every campground.
Bass River, Belleplain, and Wharton state forests allow primitive backcountry camping in the Pine Barrens with a permit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Pine Barrens?

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.

When is the Cape May raptor migration?

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.

Can I canoe camp in the Pine Barrens?

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.

Is there mountain camping in New Jersey?

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.

How competitive are shore campground reservations?

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.