Where to Go Camping in New Jersey: NYC Camper’s Guide
If you live in New York City and want a weekend outside without driving all day, New Jersey might not be your first thought, but it’s actually one of the easiest places to start.
It’s not just close by — it’s surprisingly varied, and it has way more camping options than people sometimes realize. You can camp near the Delaware River, tuck into the woods in North Jersey, plan a beginner-friendly state park weekend, or head south toward the Pine Barrens for something that feels completely different from the city.
And if you don’t own camping gear? Not a problem. You can rent what you need in Brooklyn, pack the car, and head out without turning your apartment into a camping gear storage unit.
Here are some of our favorite New Jersey camping areas to look into, plus a few tips for choosing the right campground for your trip.
Why Camp in New Jersey from NYC?
For NYC campers, New Jersey has one very big thing going for it: it’s doable.
You don’t have to plan a huge road trip to sleep outside, cook dinner at camp, wake up near trees, and spend a weekend away from city noise. Depending on where you’re headed and what traffic is doing, many New Jersey campgrounds are within 2 hours of Brooklyn.
That makes New Jersey especially appealing for first-time campers, friend groups, and anyone who wants to optimize time at the destination versus time on the road.
The other nice thing about camping in New Jersey is that the state has a lot of variety. North Jersey has wooded state parks, lakes, hiking trails, streams, and mountain views — similar to the Poconos and Catskills, but an hour closer to the city. Western New Jersey has the Delaware Water Gap and riverfront camping. South Jersey has the Pine Barrens, which feels like its own world entirely.
So whether your ideal weekend is hiking, river time, lake hangs, campfire cooking, or simply getting out of your apartment for a couple days, New Jersey gives NYC campers a lot of options.
Best New Jersey Camping Areas for NYC Weekend Trips
1. Worthington State Forest
Best for: Delaware River views, hiking, and a scenic Water Gap weekend.
Worthington State Forest is the New Jersey pick for campers who want their weekend to feel dramatic, scenic, and a little more adventure-forward. Located along the Delaware River, this is where you go for that classic Delaware Water Gap mix: river views, wooded campsites, nearby hikes, ridgelines, overlooks, and the feeling that you actually left the city behind.
It’s also a great choice if you like the idea of camping in New Jersey, but still being able to hop over to the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware Water Gap area. You can spend the day hiking, take a scenic drive, go tubing, or check out nearby towns like Stroudsburg, PA for coffee shops, small town vibes, or a few drinks at one of the local pubs.
Why it works for both scenery lovers and adventurers:
It gives you Delaware Water Gap scenery without needing to drive to Pennsylvannia or upstate New York
It has river, ridge, and overlook energy instead of just “woods and trails.”
It works well for campers who want a more adventure-forward weekend.
Good to know: Worthington is popular, especially during peak camping season and fall weekends. If you’re hoping for a summer or foliage-season trip, make your reservation early and read the site details carefully before booking. Check out our blog post How to Reserve Campsites for all our tips and tricks.
2. High Point State Park
Best for: big views, lake time, and a quieter North Jersey state park weekend.
High Point State Park is the “views” pick. It’s home to the highest point in New Jersey, and the park has that northern, elevated, woodsy feeling that can make a simple weekend trip feel more like a mountain getaway.
This is a good choice if you want a classic state park camping weekend with trails, lake time, picnic-table meals, and a little bit of “look how far we can see from up here” energy. It’s less about being close to towns or the coast and more about giving yourself a quieter weekend in nature.
Why it works for a classic camping weekend:
It feels more like a mountain/state park getaway than a quick suburban escape.
The views give the trip a clear focal point.
It’s a good fit for campers who want quiet, woods, lake time, and fresh air.
It works well for couples or small groups who want a slower weekend outside.
Good to know: High Point camping is seasonal, so check current dates, availability, and campground details before planning your trip.
3. Stokes State Forest
Best for: deep woods, streams, campfires, and a more tucked-away camping feel.
Stokes State Forest is the pick for campers who want the classic “let’s disappear into the woods for the weekend” version of New Jersey camping. It’s one of those places that can feel much farther from NYC than it actually is, especially once you’re settled into camp.
It is not the most dramatic option on this list, and that’s kind of the point. Stokes is less about one big attraction and more about the feeling of being tucked into the forest: trees, trails, streams, campfire dinner, slow mornings, and a weekend that does not need to be packed with plans.
This is a great option if you want to hike a little, cook at camp, read by the tent, sit around the fire, and let the weekend be quiet. Stokes is for campers looking for a peaceful, woodsy reset.
Why it works from NYC:
It has a more tucked-away forest feel.
It’s great for campers who want to escape the city hustle and recharge for a couple days.
It works well for hiking, campfire cooking, and slow mornings.
It’s a nice choice for people who have camped before and want something a little more rustic.
Good to know: Stokes has multiple camping areas, and they do not all offer the exact same setup. Before you book, check your specific area for bathrooms, showers, water access, parking, pet rules, and how rustic the site actually is.
4. Cheesequake State Park
Best for: a shorter trip, coastal-adjacent camping, marshes, swimming, and an easier first NJ camping weekend.
Cheesequake State Park is one of the most interesting camping options in New Jersey because it does not feel like a standard “woods and trails” park. It sits in a unique transition zone where different ecosystems meet, with hardwood forest, Pine Barrens-style landscape, salt marsh, freshwater marsh, and coastal-adjacent scenery all packed into one relatively small park.
For NYC campers, Cheesequake is especially appealing because it can feel like an easier first New Jersey camping trip. You do not have to go deep into the mountains or commit to a super-rustic weekend. You can camp, hike, swim seasonally, explore the marshy landscape, and get a little bit of shore-area energy without making the whole trip about the beach.
Why it works for a quick summer escape from NYC:
It is one of the more approachable NJ camping options from the city.
It has a very different feel from the North Jersey forest parks.
It works well for newer campers who want nature without going too remote.
It has coastal-adjacent summer energy, with marshes, swimming, and water nearby.
It can be a smart first trip if you’re still figuring out what kind of camping you like.
Good to know: Cheesequake is popular and the campground season is limited, so check availability and current park rules before planning your trip.
5. Wharton State Forest / Atsion Campground
Best for: Pine Barrens camping, paddling, and a completely different New Jersey landscape.
Wharton State Forest is a great option if you want your New Jersey camping trip to feel a little more unique. Instead of the mountain and river feel of North Jersey — that can feel similar to PA and NY trips —Wharton gives you the Pine Barrens: sandy soil, pitch pine, cedar water, paddling routes, historic sites, and a landscape that feels very different from NYC.
For most newer campers, start with the campsites at Atsion Recreation Area. It gives you access to the Pine Barrens experience while still keeping the trip more campground-based.
Why it works for a different kind of camping weekend:
The Pine Barrens feel totally distinct from North Jersey or the Poconos.
It’s a good fit for campers interested in paddling, quiet woods, and exploring.
Atsion can be a more approachable option than the more primitive Wharton sites.
It’s great for repeat campers who want something beyond the usual lake-and-hiking trip.
Good to know: Wharton has both developed and more primitive camping options, so read the details carefully before booking. Some camping areas require more planning, more supplies, and more comfort with rustic conditions. If this is your first camping trip, choose one of the more developed campground options.
How to Choose the Right New Jersey Campground
Once you’ve found a campground that looks good, take a few minutes to read the details before you book. The difference between a magical weekend and a stressful one is often hiding in the fine print.
Start with the basics: make sure your site is actually meant for tents, confirm whether you can park at or near your campsite, and check how far you’ll be from the bathrooms. Look for details about showers, potable water, fire rings, picnic tables, quiet hours, pet rules, firewood rules, check-in times, and late arrival policies.
If this is one of your first camping trips, don’t overcomplicate it. Choose a campground that matches your comfort level, bring real sleeping gear, and give yourself enough time to set up before dark. You don’t need a full resort experience, but access to bathrooms, drinking water, and a place to buy firewood can make the weekend feel a lot easier.
And if you’re camping with a group, be honest about everyone’s comfort level. Some people are excited for rustic camping. Some people are much happier when there’s a shower nearby. The best campground is not always the most famous one — it’s the one that matches your group, your experience level, and the kind of weekend you actually want to have.
We’ve covered the deeper first-time camping details in a few other guides, including our posts on how to set up a tent for the first time, what camping is actually like, and how to plan a long weekend camping trip. Stay here for choosing where to go, then use those guides to make sure you’re prepared when you get there.
Can You Camp in New Jersey Without a Car?
Some New Jersey campgrounds are technically reachable from NYC by public transit, but most are much easier if you have a car or rent a car for the weekend.
Camping usually means carrying a tent, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, food, water, layers, cooking supplies, and all the little things that make the weekend more comfortable. Even if you can get close to a campground by train or bus, the final stretch can be tricky once you’re carrying gear.
If you’re planning to rent a car, New Jersey can be a great choice for a quick camping weekend from NYC. You can pick up your camping gear in Brooklyn, load up the car, and be out of the city without turning the trip into a huge production.
If you’re trying to go camping without a car, you may have an easier time looking at a few New York options instead. We put together a full guide to camping near NYC without a car, including places that are more realistic by train, bus, or a combination of public transit and rideshare.
NYC’s Go-To Camping Gear Rental
Featured by New York Magazine + I LOVE NY
Ready for a weekend outside but don’t own all the gear? Rent clean, high-quality tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads with convenient pickup and return in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
Perfect for first-time campers, music festivals, group trips, and anyone who wants to experience camping without buying and storing a full setup.
Perfect for Festivals, Group Trips, and City Campers
Our gear is lightweight, easy to carry, and simple to set up—whether you’re heading to a music festival, escaping to the Catskills, taking a road trip with friends, or trying camping for the first time.
Convenient Pickup & Drop-off:
Pickup Location: Bond Collective Building, 276 Greenpoint Avenue.
Pickup: Wednesday
Drop-off: Monday
(Need a different time? Contact us before booking.)
Popular weekends book out fast—especially during music festival season. Don’t wait! Reserve ahead to guarantee your gear.
*Please email us for availability before booking for same day or next day pick up.
Renting Camping Gear in NYC Before a New Jersey Trip
If you’re planning a New Jersey camping trip from NYC but don’t own gear, you do not need to buy everything for one weekend.
Basecamp Brooklyn rents camping gear from our Greenpoint pickup location so you can head out with the essentials: a reliable tent and cozy sleeping bag and pad.
Renting gear is especially helpful if:
You’re new to camping.
You live in a small apartment.
You only camp a few times a year.
You’re trying out camping before investing in your own setup.
You want to avoid buying bulky gear that will sit in a closet.
You’re planning a spontaneous weekend and don’t want to spend the first several hours of your trip wandering through an outdoor gear store.
Our goal is simple: make it easier for NYC people to get outside.
You book the campground. We’ll help with the gear.
A Simple New Jersey Camping Packing List
For a weekend tent camping trip, start with:
Tent with rainfly
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad
Pillow
Headlamp or flashlight
Camp chairs
Cooler
Water bottle
Food and snacks
Camp stove or cooking plan
Lighter or matches
Layers for cool nights
Rain jacket
Bug spray
Sunscreen
Toiletries
Trash bags
Phone charger or battery pack
Towel
Shoes you can get dirty
Depending on your campground, you may also need firewood, water, cooking gear, dishes, and a way to store food safely.
New Jersey Camping TL;DR: Which Campground Should You Pick?
If you want Delaware Water Gap scenery, river views, hiking, and a two-state weekend, start with Worthington State Forest.
If you want Catskills-ish mountain views, lake time, and a classic state park camping weekend without driving all the way to the Catskills, look at High Point State Park.
If you want quiet North Jersey forest camping, streams, campfires, and a weekend with less agenda, check out Stokes State Forest.
If you want coastal-adjacent camping, marshes, swimming, and an easier summer trip from NYC, try Cheesequake State Park.
If you want Pine Barrens, paddling, cedar water, sandy trails, and a totally different New Jersey landscape, explore Wharton State Forest / Atsion Recreation Area.
There is no single “best” New Jersey campground. There is only the best fit for the weekend you want to have.
Reserve your camping gear before you leave Brooklyn, and we’ll help make your New Jersey camping trip a whole lot easier!
See inside Basecamp Brooklyn’s Summer Grillin’, a food-filled Catskills camping weekend near NYC with BBQ feasts, swimming holes, campfires and starry nights.