When you decide to camp in New Jersey you will find, with a bit of research, that there are a wide variety of public and private campgrounds from which to choose. All of these campgrounds will vary as to the amenities they offer and accordingly the price they charge for a nights stay. Rather than try to delve into all of the camping opportunities New Jersey has to offer at one time, this article will focus on some of the National Park units located in New Jersey and touch slightly on the private sector.
Public campgrounds are those managed by some level of a government agency. Whether the agency is federal, state or local, the grounds are open to the public and generally present a low cost vacation with limited amenities. Advanced reservations may or may not be made depending on the campground. When planning a camping trip, many campers look to our National Parks as their first choice. Research will show that some of the most treasured and scenic areas of our country are preserved and managed by the National Park Service and sprinkled throughout the nation.
The National Park Service was first established in 1916 under the United States Department of Interior with Franklin Lane as its first Director. The primary goal, as stated by Lane, was to “faithfully preserve the National Parks in absolutely unimpaired form for the use of future generations as well as those of our own time.” Today the mission of the Park Service is basically the same. You will find however, the Park Service now manages “other types of land units” as well as our National Parks. In New Jersey the land managed by the Park Service falls under some of those “other types of land unites” with names such as National Recreation Areas, National Scenic and Recreational Rivers, National Reserves and National Monuments.
Some of these areas found in New Jersey are the:
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area which contains the Delaware National Scenic River. This National Recreation Area covers parts of New Jersey as well as Pennsylvania. Camping in this National Recreation Area is under the control of the New Jersey State Forest and is available at Worthington State Forest as it is located in the middle of the National Recreation Area. This State Forest has a campground with 69 tent and trailer sites and is open from April1 to December 31. For further information call (908)841-9575
Gateway National Recreation Area which covers parts of Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, New York and Monmouth County in New Jersey. The section of this National Recreation Area found in New Jersey is the Sandy Hook Unit. Although there are no campgrounds within this unit there are many opportunities for boating, canoeing and site seeing with private camping nearby. For further information call (732)872-5900.
Great Egg Harbor River National Scenic and Recreational River which starts near Berlin, New Jersey and gradually widens as it picks up the waters of 17 tributaries on its way to Great Egg Harbor at the Atlantic Ocean. Established by Congress in 1992, nearly all of this 129-mile river system rests within the Pinelands National Preserve. This National Park Service unit is unusual in that local jurisdictions continue to administer the lands so camping opportunities are found in the local jurisdictions with quite a few campgrounds along the river. For further information call (215)597-5823
The New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve was created by Congress under the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978. The Pinelands National Reserve is the first National Reserve in the nation. The Reserve encompasses approximately 1.1 million acres and covers portions of seven counties and all or parts of 56 municipalities. The Reserve is a wonderful place to visit and exhibits a unique ecosystem. Camping is available in the local jurisdictions at four New Jersey State Forest located inside the Reserve. For further information call (609)894-7300.
There are other units of the National Park Service in New Jersey which bear mentioning for their historic and scenic value. Although they are small and do not offer camping, they are worth visiting. You might want to take a look at the Edison National Historic Site, Ellis Island National Monument and Morristown National Historic Park and then plan to stay at one of the private campgrounds nearby.
Similar to public campgrounds, in that everyone is welcome, private campgrounds, such as the well known KOA’s (Kampgrounds of American), are privately owned, franchised businesses. Although they usually cost more for a nights stay, they generally offer superior amenities that include, but are not limited to, swimming pools, game rooms, movie nights, laundry facilities and camp stores with fast food and microwaves. Many of these privately franchised campgrounds offer catalogs (at a price) which allow you to not only book your trip in advance, but often pick your site and book side trips prior to your arrival.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that New Jersey is home to the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail and also proud to encompass parts of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Both of these trails offer outstanding opportunities for camping and outdoor recreation, a must for the avid outdoor user.
Whatever you decide, public or private campground for a day, a night or a weeks stay, be safe and enjoy the natural beauty of the outdoors.
Till Next Time
Eric
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