When picking a place to camp in New Jersey, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, which is a division of Parks and Recreation, provides a wide range of camping experiences in their state parks and forests.  From tent and trailer sites to well established group campgrounds and primitive campsites to shelters and yurts the state of New Jersey offers some, if not all, of these facilities.  Therefore, when planning your camping experience you need to be aware of the rules and regulations that are common to all the camping areas and then individually check each site as to the specific regulations that might affect your experience.  Following are regulations taken directly from the department’s website: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/camping.html .

 

General Camping Rules for New Jersey State Parks
Minimum age of a permittee – A campsite, lean-to, camp shelter, cabin or yurt must be reserved and occupied by at least one responsible person, 18 years of age or older.  A group campsite or cabin must be occupied by a minimum of one adult supervisor, age 18 years of age or older, for each nine campers who are under 18 years of age in the group.

 

Re-registration – If camping facilities are available, campers may re-register before 10 am on the expiration day of their permit, provided they have not exceeded their maximum limit of stay, and facilities are available.


Limit of stay per area – Total initial length of stay allowed is fourteen consecutive nights.  Additional stays may be granted in intervals of not more than seven nights provided the applicant has vacated the camping facility for at least seven nights between each occupancy.


Alcohol – Alcohol is prohibited.  Additional rules and regulations are printed on the back of the camping permit and are posted in the area.

 

Fires – Fires are permitted only in stoves, fireplaces or ground fireplaces or in approved camp stoves provided by the camper.  Fires may be prohibited due to forest fire threat when prevailing conditions warrant this precaution.

 


Firewood – Firewood is not provided at campsites, lean-tos or shelters, but it can be purchased at some areas.  Firewood is provided at cabins.

 


Pets – Pets are not permitted in camping facilities.

 


Firearms – A person shall not possess or discharge any firearm, pellet gun, bow and arrow, slingshot or other weapon capable of injuring people or wildlife.  Hunters in compliance with Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife hunting laws are exempted.  Target practice is prohibited.

 

Vehicle Limit – No more than two vehicles (including trailers) may be parked at a camping facility.  Additional vehicles may be parked in a location designated by the superintendent.  More than two vehicles may be parked at group campsites and group cabins subject to approval of the superintendent.

 

Visitors – Visitors are allowed at camping facilities between 8 am and 8 pm.  All visitors must pay day-use parking fees, if applicable.  The number of visitors may be restricted due to limited facility capacities.

 

Trailer hook-ups – Water, electric and sewer hook-ups are not provided at campsites.

 

Check-out time – Check-out time is noon at all campsites.  Check-out time is indicated on permits issued for lean-tos, shelters, and cabins.

 

Reservations for campsites can be made up to 11 months in advance and fees generally run $20.00 per campsite per night.  For further information call 1-800-843-6420 or 609-984-0370.

 

Be safe, follow the rules and enjoy your camping experience! 

 

Till Next Time

 

Eric

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