A guide to campgrounds in New Jersey. See state parks, forests, recreation sites and more

Amanda Wallace , NorthJersey.com
·3 min read

Camping season is well underway, and New Jersey has no shortage of beautiful campgrounds from the middle of the woods to the Jersey Shore and everywhere in between. Whether you have an RV, want to pitch a tent, or are looking for a glamping experience, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Here is your guide to finding campgrounds in and around the Garden State.

State-run campgrounds and obtaining permits

New Jersey has 19 state-run parks, forests, and recreation areas that are available for camping, 11 of which are located in North Jersey.

State-run camping facilities include:

  • High Point State Park in Sussex

  • Wawayanda State Park in Hewitt

  • Stokes State Forest in Branchville

  • Swartswood State Park in Swartswood

  • Worthington State Forest in Columbia

  • Kittatinny Valley State Park in Newton

  • Jenny Jump State Forest in Hope

  • Stephens State Park in Hackettstown

  • Voorhees State Park in Clinton

  • Spruce Run Recreation Area in Clinton

  • Round Valley Recreation Area in Lebanon

  • Cheesequake State Park in Matawan

  • Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville

  • Allaire State Park in Farmingdale

  • Brendan T. Byrne State Forest in New Lisbon

  • Wharton State Forest in Hammonton

  • Bass River State Forest in Tuckerton

  • Parvin State Park in Pittsgrove

  • Belleplain State Forest in Woodbine

If you would like to make a reservation and obtain a permit to camp at one of the state-run campgrounds you can visit njportal.com/DEP/NJOutdoors/Park/Search to filter through park amenities, available dates, and to make campsite reservations.

High Point Monument at High Point State Park in Sussex County, NJ.
High Point Monument at High Point State Park in Sussex County, NJ.

Pet-friendly campgrounds

The New Jersey State Park Service welcomes pets and their owners to 14 state-run campgrounds with an additional charge of $5 per night. This is limited to dogs and cats with proof of current rabies vaccinations. Caged pets such as birds, reptiles or amphibians must be kept within a recreational vehicle such as a trailer or motor home.

When camping with a pet they must be kept on a leash at all times and cannot be left unattended on a campsite except when the owner is using a restroom or briefly visiting a park building.

For a list of designated pet-friendly campgrounds and additional guidelines to camping with your pet you can visit nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/getinvolved/petfriendlycamping.html.

The best campgrounds in New Jersey per Hipcamp

If you are looking for a wider variety of campsites in and around New Jersey you can check out Hipcamp. Essentially an Airbnb for campsites, Hipcamp allows users to search for campgrounds all over the country based on available dates, locations, camping style, amenities, and more.

Each year Hipcamp compiles data from bookings, reviews, and ratings across thousands of available sites around the country and puts together a list of the best campgrounds in the United States and in each state. This year, one New Jersey campground made the list as a runner-up of the best all-around campgrounds in the U.S. in 2024. This campground is Paradise Valley Homestead in West Milford.

Campers can stay at Paradise Valley Homestead for $40 per night at one of their four RV/tent sites, six tent-only sites, or one glamping site. Hipcamp reviews say that the spot has amazing views and is great for families and kids. It is also pet friendly! This campground was also named the best campground in New Jersey.

Here is the full list of the top 15 campgrounds in New Jersey according to the Hipcamp 2024 awards for America's best in state.

  • Paradise Valley Homestead in West Milford

  • Pine Creek in Medford

  • Pleasant Valley Lavender in Morganville

  • Horse Farm Camping in Bordentown

  • Jenny Jump Mountain in Great Meadows

  • Barnsberry Acres in Barnsboro

  • Countryside Horse Farm in Salem

  • Historical Lake Front Barn in Mendham

  • Oak Grove Acres in Flemington

  • Fluffy Butt Rescue in Milford

  • Winding River Vanlife Retreat in Hamilton

  • Great Times Camp Ground in Waterford Works

  • Hershey Lane Farm in Frenchtown

  • That Dome Home RV Site in Manahawkin

  • Camp David in Newton

Campsites at these campgrounds and more can be reserved through Hipcamp.com.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Campgrounds in NJ: A guide to finding and reserving them