Ranch camping in New Jersey with swimming
Atlantic beaches, wild woodlands, and Appalachian mountains provide campers with options in New Jersey.
- New Jersey
Popular camping styles for New Jersey
Ranch camping in New Jersey with swimming guide
Overview
From the wooded peaks of the Appalachian mountains in the north, through the vast woodlands of the Pine Barrens, to the golden sands of the Jersey Shore, it’s easy to get outdoors in New Jersey. May through September is beach season, when vacationers make a beeline for the famed Jersey Shore, where the 130-mile stretch of Atlantic coastline doesn’t disappoint. There’s more to the Garden State than just beaches, though, and New Jersey campgrounds provide plenty of variety, whether you prefer tent camping in the wilderness, an oceanview cabin rental, or a family campground with a swimming pool and campfires.
Where to go
North New Jersey
New Jersey’s mountainous north is a tangle of sloping woodlands and Appalachian Mountain peaks, tumbling down to the banks of the Delaware River. Campers can enjoy swimming, canoeing, and hiking at High Point State Park; tent camping along the Appalachian Trail; or biking, horseback riding, and snowmobiling in the Stokes State Forest. For a back-to-nature camping experience, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area has tent and RV sites, as well as backcountry campsites and more than 150 miles of hiking trails to explore.
Piedmont
Flanked by the Hudson River to the east and the Delaware River to the west, Piedmont’s rolling hills provide plenty of spots to escape the crowds. RV parks are dotted around the cities of Elizabeth, Jersey City, and Newark, or you can camp with a view of the Manhattan skyline near Liberty State Park. Near the Pennsylvania border, Washington Crossing State Park has a selection of group campsites, all within walking distance of the park’s historic sites and hiking trails.
Jersey Shore
Stretching all the way from Cape May in the south to Sandy Hook in the north, New Jersey’s Atlantic Coast is brimming with seaside resorts, amusement parks, and golf courses. Check into an RV campsite near the casinos of Atlantic City and Ocean City, rent a deluxe cabin at Seaside Heights, and take your pick of sandy beaches. Or, discover the coast’s wild side in the Pinelands National Reserve, the Bass River State Forest, or the Gateway National Recreation Area.
Inner Coastal Plain
New Jersey camping isn’t all about the beach—head inland, and you can pitch your tent or park your RV in the heart of the forest. Head to Wharton State Forest to hike, kayak, and horseback ride in the Pine Barrens, rent a yurt or cabin at Belleplain State Forest, or camp by the lakeside at Parvin State Park.
