Camping in New Jersey Near the Beaches
New Jersey gets a bad rap. Although it has its share of problems and unattractive parts, there are also plenty of nice wilderness areas. The individual beaches of the Jersey Shore are popular East Coast destinations. If you ever wanted to enjoy access to the beach while camping, there are plenty of options in New Jersey.
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Instructions
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Decide on a destination. The New Jersey shoreline stretches over 100 miles and there are many towns and attractions along the way. Are you coming from the north or south? Would you rather be closer to popular central shore locations like Seaside Heights and Point Pleasant or to southern destinations like Atlantic City and Cape May? Alternately, staying in the northern part of the Jersey Shore could provide ferry or quicker highway access to New York City.
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Stay north. In the north, Cheasequake State Park offers 53 campsites for tent and trailer camping. Group campsites are also available. Cheasequake is off Exit 120 of the Garden State Parkway in Matawan, New Jersey. Drive 10 to 20 miles and access northern beaches such as Sandy Hook and Sea Bright. Another excellent option is Hartshorne County Park in Atlantic Highlands, which offers group cabins by reservation. Hartshorne is home to one of the best views in New Jersey--a panoramic landscape of both the ocean and New York City skyline.
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Stay central. Toward the central shore, Allaire State Park in Farmingdale, New Jersey (Exit 98 off GSP or 31-B off I-95). Allaire offers group campsites, 45 trailer and tent sites, yurts and cabins. Showers and bathrooms are within convenient walking distance. Campsites open all year. Allaire is less than 10 miles from beach towns such as Belmar and the popular tourist destination of Point Pleasant.
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Stay south. Bass River State Park in Tuckerton, New Jersey, offers a wealth of camping including 176 campsites, shelters, lean-tos and cabins. The park is off of Exit 52 of the Garden State Parkway in a stretch between Long Beach Island and Atlantic City.
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Stay in the heart of the Pine Barrens. Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, one of the largest forests in New Jersey and home to the Pine Barrens, is in southern New Jersey, close to highways 70 and 72, which access shore points. The forest offers 79 tent and trailer campsites, as well as group campsites, yurts and cabins. Take Exit 7 off the New Jersey Turnpike. Though Brendan T. Byrne is 30 to 40 miles from shore destinations such as Point Pleasant and Long Beach Island, it is a beautiful destination on its own and offers a wealth of wilderness opportunities, while maintaining easy beach access.
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Skip the parks and head to a campsite or RV park. In addition to state parks, many individual campsites and RV parks are located up and down the Jersey Shore. Use the first link in References below for a full list of options.
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Tips & Warnings
Campers are assessed a fee for camping at New Jersey state parks. Fees vary by type of facility and park location, but campsites are $20 throughout state parks, lean-tos and yurts $30 and group campsites $1 per person. Cabins and other accommodations vary by park. Reservations are available and can be made through the given park.
Alcohol and pets are prohibited at New Jersey State Park campsites.
