New Jersey Outdoor Guide: Campgrounds, Trails, Beaches & RV Spots
Key Takeaways
- The Jersey Shore splits cleanly into “free and lively” (Wildwood) and “paid and calmer” (Ocean City, Cape May) — decide which trade-off your family wants before booking
- The Pine Barrens (Wharton, Bass River, Belleplain) give you a genuinely different NJ — quiet, wooded, lake-swimming — if the boardwalk scene isn’t your thing
- Mount Tammany at the Delaware Water Gap is the state’s signature hike, and it’s steep enough to plan around, not just show up for
- Most NJ state parks don’t offer RV hookups — private Shore resorts are the reliable choice if you need full hookups
Two Very Different New Jerseys
There’s the Jersey Shore everyone pictures — boardwalks, rides, crowded sand — and there’s the quieter Pine Barrens version, with lake swimming and genuine wilderness an hour from Philadelphia or New York. Both are legitimately good; just know which one you’re planning for.
Campgrounds
Worthington State Forest — Columbia (Delaware Water Gap)
Tent and RV sites right along the Delaware River, at the base of Mount Tammany. Basic amenities, no hookups on most sites, but you can’t beat the direct trailhead access if hiking is the priority.
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Belleplain State Forest — Woodbine (Cape May County)
Year-round camping near the southern Pine Barrens with Lake Nummy for swimming. Reviewers consistently praise the site privacy — big, tree-covered sites with real space from your neighbors. About 30-40 minutes from Cape May-area beaches.
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Wharton State Forest / Atsion — Hammonton
New Jersey’s largest tract of preserved Pinelands. Developed sites near Atsion Lake for swimming, plus primitive canoe-in sites for anyone wanting real seclusion. Some remote sites have no potable water — bring your own if you’re going primitive.
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Bass River State Forest — New Gretna
New Jersey’s first state forest, with Lake Absegami for swimming and access to the 50-plus-mile Batona Trail. A solid, well-rounded family pick.
Learn moreWawaloam / Wawayanda-style resort camping
for full amenities, private Shore resorts like Butterfly Camping Resort (Jackson) offer pools and organized weekend activities that state forests generally don’t.
Hiking Trails
Mount Tammany (Red Dot / Blue Blaze Loop) — Delaware Water Gap
The most famous hike in New Jersey, and for good reason — a steep 3-4 mile loop with sweeping views over the Water Gap from the summit. The Red Dot route is genuinely steep with some scrambling; loop back on the Blue Blaze past a waterfall. Lots fill early on warm weekends.
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Batsto Lake Trail — Wharton State Forest
A flat, easy 4-mile loop along the Batsto River, past historic Batsto Village. The classic, accessible Pine Barrens family walk — well-marked and doable for all ages.
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Sunfish Pond — Worthington State Forest
A roughly 7.5-mile round trip on the Appalachian Trail to a glacial pond that’s also a National Natural Landmark. Rocky terrain, real wildlife — a good step up for families with some hiking experience.
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Hacklebarney State Park — Long Valley
1.5-3 miles of trails with a small waterfall along the Black River. Varied difficulty makes this a good pick for mixed-age groups.
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High Point Monument Loop — High Point State Park
A 3.5-mile loop to views of three states and the Delaware River, ending with a swim option at Lake Marcia. A genuinely good full-day combination.
Learn moreBeaches
Ocean City
“America’s Greatest Family Resort” — a dry town, 2.5-mile boardwalk, wide clean sand, and gentle waves. The strongest all-around pick for families. Beach tags are required for ages 12+ in season.
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Wildwood / Wildwood Crest
One of the widest free beaches on the East Coast — no tags required, which is genuinely rare on the Shore anymore. Famous boardwalk with Morey’s Piers. Lively and kid-focused; the beach itself is a long walk from the boardwalk given how wide it is.
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Cape May
Quieter, more Victorian-charm than boardwalk energy. Good for multi-generational trips or families who want the beach without the rides.
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Avon-by-the-Sea
One of the calmest, most family-friendly beaches on the Shore, with a playground right there. Good for younger kids.
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Sandy Hook (Gateway National Recreation Area)
Federal beach unit with calmer bay-side sections and skyline views of NYC. Parking fee in season; arrives early to actually get a spot.
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Driftwood RV Resort & Campground — Cape May Court House
50-amp full hookups, a private lake with its own beach, pool, and playground. A strong full-amenity Shore option.
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Holly Shores Camping Resort — Cape May
Family-owned since 1968, between Cape May and Wildwood, with full hookups and genuinely well-reviewed themed activity weekends.
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Ocean View Resort — Ocean View
Less than 2 miles off the Garden State Parkway, with large 50-amp pull-throughs. WiFi and cable have gotten mixed reviews — don’t count on either being fast.
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Spacious Skies Country Oaks — Dorothy
Full-hookup back-in and pull-through sites in a Pine Barrens setting, about an hour from Philadelphia.
Learn moreNote: most NJ state forests don’t offer hookups — private Shore resorts are the reliable answer if that’s a must-have.
Planning Your Trip
If it’s a Shore trip, decide upfront: Wildwood for free, wide, lively beaches, or Ocean City/Cape May for a calmer, paid experience. If you want the other New Jersey — quiet, wooded, lake-swimming — base at Belleplain or Bass River instead. And build a full day around Mount Tammany if hiking’s on the list; it’s steep enough that you don’t want to rush it or arrive without a plan.