There are so many great camping spots in New Jersey and someday I want to explore them all. In the meantime, I need to start somewhere. I’ve searched through all the Garden State has to offer and found some fantastic sites, ranging from wilderness camping to the most luxurious of cabins. Here are 12 places to camp in New Jersey that you’ll absolutely love.
- Round Valley Recreation Area, Lebanon
Flickr/Keyspoet
Flickr/Todd Dietrich For a truly rustic wilderness camping experience, head to Round Valley Recreation Area. Sites are only available via boat or backpacking - a minimum of 3 miles from the parking lot. Fire rings, pit toilets and drinking water are available within walking distance. Sites offer scenic views of the reservoir and start at $17 per night.
- Wharton State Forest, Hammonton
Flickr/Alexis Lewis
Flickr/Owl’s Flight Located in the heart of the Pinelands, Wharton State Forest is New Jersey’s largest state park. There is so much to explore, from abandoned sites to historic villages, beautiful lakes and endless trails. There are several campsites here, including a mix of primitive, tent, trailer and cabin sites. Several are pet friendly. Rates start at $3 per person, per night and an 8 person cabin is just $100 per night for New Jersey residents.
- High Point State Park, Sussex
Flickr/Anthony Quintano
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli High Point State Park in Sussex offers some of the most spectacular views in the state. Primarily composed of tent sites, rates start at $20 per night; there are two cabins available which can accommodate up to 6 guests and a group cabin which accommodates up to 28 persons. Cabins start at $75 per night, the group cabin is a very affordable $175 per night with a two night minimum. All cabins feature kitchens and private baths; pets are not permitted.
- Camp Glen Gray, Mahwah
Image/GlenGray.org
Image/GlenGray.org You may remember this Ramapo Mountain campground from your scouting days. It is now open to the public offering tent, lean-to and basic cabin sites. Prices vary widely but start at around $8 per person, per night for tent camping. A popular spot for group outings, a variety of facilities are available for rent including a dining hall and amphitheater. There are several hiking trails to enjoy along with boating on Lake Vreeland. Boat rentals are available - $10 for two hours.
- Buena Vista Campground, Buena
Facebook/Buena Vista Campground
Facebook/Buena Vista Campground This fantastic campground has options for every budget. Water & electric sites start at $30 per night, in-season, and deluxe cabins can be rented for just $110 a night in-season - deluxe cabins sleep up to six. While there is plenty to do here, the highlight has to be the spectacular lake - rent a kayak or hydro bike for a unique day of fun. Pets are welcome, seasonal rentals and a limited number of year-round sites are available.
- Pleasant Acres Farm Campground, Sussex
Facebook/Pleasant Acres Farm Campground
Facebook/Pleasant Acres Farms Campground You’ll love the panoramic views from the pool and hot tub - bask in the sun and the scenery. The pool is so fantastic, in fact, that it garnered accolades from Frommer’s Travel Guide. You’ll find a mix of RV and cabin sites here, starting at $58 per night in-season. Luxury cabins are priced around $189 per night on weekends, but it’s worth it. Amenities include organized recreational activities, basketball and volleyball courts, mini-golf, paint parties, fishing lakes, a stocked trout stream, horse-drawn hayrides and, of course, access to farm animals.
- The Great Divide Campground, Newton
Facebook/The Great Divide
Facebook/The Great Divide Rustic tent sites start at $36 per night on peak nights and luxury trailer rentals are available starting at around $150 per peak night. Guests will enjoy themed weekends like “Retro Beach Party,” Christmas In July" and “Backyard Carnival.” Amenities include a private lake for fishing and boating, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, basketball court, game room and playground. Pets are welcome and a dog park is available for your furry friends.
- Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, Elmer
Facebook/Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park
Facebook/Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park You’ll find a pool, splash park, organized activities, a unique game called “Gaga,” event weekends, and a wide range of sites. Tent sites start at $48 per night and cabin rentals start at $89 per night; luxury RV rentals are also available. Pets are welcome in certain RVs and cabins. Frequent visitors will want to join Club Yogi for fun rewards.
- Triplebrook RV and Camping Resort, Blairstown
Facebook/Triplebrook RV and Camping Resort
Facebook/Triplebrook Camping Resort You’ll find a variety of lodging options here, from RV sites to a selection of cabins and even a school bus. Enjoy themed weekends, tennis courts, a pool, pond and a primo location just miles from the Delaware Water Gap. Up to two pets are allowed in designated areas.
- Baker’s Acres, Little Egg Harbor
Image/Baker’s Acres
Image/Baker’s Acres Choose from primitive sites ($42 per night in-season), cottage rentals ($130 per night in-season) and a wide selection in-between. Weekly and monthly discounts are available. Enjoy weekend activities, a pool, volleyball court and playground. Pets are permitted in all areas of the campground except cabins, cottages, store and pool/playground areas.
- Pine Haven Camping Resort, Ocean View
Facebook/Pine Haven Camping Resort
Facebook/Pine Haven Camping Resort Bring your own RV or rent anything from a rustic cabin to a luxurious loft. Rentals range from $129-$299 in-season; pet friendly rentals are available. While $299 MIGHT seem hefty to some, that’s the cost of a pet friendly lakefront loft which sleeps 9 and offers all the comforts of home including flat screen televisions, full kitchens, private baths and spacious decks. Park amenities include eventful weekends, ceramic classes on select days, a swimming pool, lake beach, fishing pond, volleyball, basketball, billiards, pinball and more.
- Ocean View Resort Campground, Ocean View
Facebook/Ocean View Resort Campground
Facebook/Ocean View Resort Campground This family-friendly resort offers fun for everyone. Enjoy a swimming pool, splash pad, sandy swimming beach, stocked fishing pond, a tram car, 2 arcades, 3 playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, paddle boat rentals and more. Choose from tent, RV and cabin sites, ranging from around $52-$208 per night in-season. Pets are not allowed in rentals but can stay in your RV or tent.
Have you camped at any of these locations? What is your favorite place to camp in New Jersey? Do you prefer a wilderness experience or “glamping” with all the amenities?
Flickr/Keyspoet
Flickr/Todd Dietrich
For a truly rustic wilderness camping experience, head to Round Valley Recreation Area. Sites are only available via boat or backpacking - a minimum of 3 miles from the parking lot. Fire rings, pit toilets and drinking water are available within walking distance. Sites offer scenic views of the reservoir and start at $17 per night.
Flickr/Alexis Lewis
Flickr/Owl’s Flight
Located in the heart of the Pinelands, Wharton State Forest is New Jersey’s largest state park. There is so much to explore, from abandoned sites to historic villages, beautiful lakes and endless trails. There are several campsites here, including a mix of primitive, tent, trailer and cabin sites. Several are pet friendly. Rates start at $3 per person, per night and an 8 person cabin is just $100 per night for New Jersey residents.
Flickr/Anthony Quintano
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
High Point State Park in Sussex offers some of the most spectacular views in the state. Primarily composed of tent sites, rates start at $20 per night; there are two cabins available which can accommodate up to 6 guests and a group cabin which accommodates up to 28 persons. Cabins start at $75 per night, the group cabin is a very affordable $175 per night with a two night minimum. All cabins feature kitchens and private baths; pets are not permitted.
Image/GlenGray.org
You may remember this Ramapo Mountain campground from your scouting days. It is now open to the public offering tent, lean-to and basic cabin sites. Prices vary widely but start at around $8 per person, per night for tent camping. A popular spot for group outings, a variety of facilities are available for rent including a dining hall and amphitheater. There are several hiking trails to enjoy along with boating on Lake Vreeland. Boat rentals are available - $10 for two hours.
Facebook/Buena Vista Campground
This fantastic campground has options for every budget. Water & electric sites start at $30 per night, in-season, and deluxe cabins can be rented for just $110 a night in-season - deluxe cabins sleep up to six. While there is plenty to do here, the highlight has to be the spectacular lake - rent a kayak or hydro bike for a unique day of fun. Pets are welcome, seasonal rentals and a limited number of year-round sites are available.
Facebook/Pleasant Acres Farm Campground
Facebook/Pleasant Acres Farms Campground
You’ll love the panoramic views from the pool and hot tub - bask in the sun and the scenery. The pool is so fantastic, in fact, that it garnered accolades from Frommer’s Travel Guide. You’ll find a mix of RV and cabin sites here, starting at $58 per night in-season. Luxury cabins are priced around $189 per night on weekends, but it’s worth it. Amenities include organized recreational activities, basketball and volleyball courts, mini-golf, paint parties, fishing lakes, a stocked trout stream, horse-drawn hayrides and, of course, access to farm animals.
Facebook/The Great Divide
Rustic tent sites start at $36 per night on peak nights and luxury trailer rentals are available starting at around $150 per peak night. Guests will enjoy themed weekends like “Retro Beach Party,” Christmas In July" and “Backyard Carnival.” Amenities include a private lake for fishing and boating, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, basketball court, game room and playground. Pets are welcome and a dog park is available for your furry friends.
Facebook/Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park
You’ll find a pool, splash park, organized activities, a unique game called “Gaga,” event weekends, and a wide range of sites. Tent sites start at $48 per night and cabin rentals start at $89 per night; luxury RV rentals are also available. Pets are welcome in certain RVs and cabins. Frequent visitors will want to join Club Yogi for fun rewards.
Facebook/Triplebrook RV and Camping Resort
Facebook/Triplebrook Camping Resort
You’ll find a variety of lodging options here, from RV sites to a selection of cabins and even a school bus. Enjoy themed weekends, tennis courts, a pool, pond and a primo location just miles from the Delaware Water Gap. Up to two pets are allowed in designated areas.
Image/Baker’s Acres
Choose from primitive sites ($42 per night in-season), cottage rentals ($130 per night in-season) and a wide selection in-between. Weekly and monthly discounts are available. Enjoy weekend activities, a pool, volleyball court and playground. Pets are permitted in all areas of the campground except cabins, cottages, store and pool/playground areas.
Facebook/Pine Haven Camping Resort
Bring your own RV or rent anything from a rustic cabin to a luxurious loft. Rentals range from $129-$299 in-season; pet friendly rentals are available. While $299 MIGHT seem hefty to some, that’s the cost of a pet friendly lakefront loft which sleeps 9 and offers all the comforts of home including flat screen televisions, full kitchens, private baths and spacious decks. Park amenities include eventful weekends, ceramic classes on select days, a swimming pool, lake beach, fishing pond, volleyball, basketball, billiards, pinball and more.
Facebook/Ocean View Resort Campground
This family-friendly resort offers fun for everyone. Enjoy a swimming pool, splash pad, sandy swimming beach, stocked fishing pond, a tram car, 2 arcades, 3 playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, paddle boat rentals and more. Choose from tent, RV and cabin sites, ranging from around $52-$208 per night in-season. Pets are not allowed in rentals but can stay in your RV or tent.
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