1. Jersey Shore: Asbury Park: Allaire State Park Campground
Along the Jersey Shore is the popular small town of Asbury Park. In the summer visitors flock to the shore for the sandy beaches, boardwalks and live entertainment. One of the closest campgrounds to the area is Allaire State Park Campground which is about 20 minutes SW of the beach. Be ready for the complete opposite of the modern Asbury Park, in fact you can go way back in time when you visit the 19th Century Allaire Village. The Village is a historic 19th-century iron making town where you can ride an old narrow-gauge train, see the general store, houses and the church. There is also a visitor center and a museum to learn about life in the 19th century. The campground is located right in the park and has 45 campsites for RV’s and tents. There are also 10 cabin-like shelters that have a set of bunk beds and a wood stove and can sleep four people. The campground is located near the Manasquan River which is stocked with trout, so bring your fishing gear. You can see why this is one of the best places to camp in New Jersey this summer!
2. Cape May: Sun Retreats Avalon
Another popular town on the Jersey Shore is Cape May. The small resort town is about 100 miles down shore from Asbury Park, just across the bay from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Visit the grand Victorian houses, do some shopping at the Washington Street Mall and get your picture taken in front of the Cape May lighthouse. The Sun Retreats Avalon Campground is just 15 miles NE of Cape May and has resort-like amenities including a large swimming pool, lakeside beach with swimming rafts, kayak rentals, mini-golf and a snack bar. There are RV and tent sites as well as cabin and cottage rentals. Be sure to take a day trip to the nearby Cape May National Wildlife Refuge to see if you spot any Great Blue herons, ghost crabs and snowy egrets. So much to do and see in and around Cape May.
3. Chestnut Lake RV Campground
If you love the hustle and bustle of downtown Atlantic City, but want the peaceful surrounding of a campground, the Chestnut Lake RV Campground is a great place to stay. You can relax by the pool or go fishing for channel catfish, largemouth bass and redbreast sunfish on Chestnut Lake. There are 235 sites to choose from, some with full hookups. Spend the day at the beach in Atlantic City, have dinner along the Boardwalk, then head back to your campsite for a campfire with s’mores. Definitely one of the best places to camp in New Jersey this summer.
4. Near Island Beach State Park: Cedar Creek Campground
Island Beach State Park is located on a skinny barrier island just of the coast of New Jersey. Can you imagine the 10 miles of pristine sandy beach that lines the east side of the island? It is home to a large population of osprey, peregrine falcons and other shorebirds. You can take a guided tour on the Barnegat Bay side to see the ospreys and other wildlife. There are several beaches where you can spend the day swimming, fishing and surfing. There are no campgrounds on the Island but the Cedar Creek Campground is nearby. The Cedar Creek Campground has RV sites (some with full hookups) as well as tent camping and cabins. There is a swimming pool, playground and canoe or kayak rentals. The tent sites are spread out and wooded for privacy so you can enjoy your peaceful getaway.
5. Thomas Edison National Historical Park: Liberty Harbor RV Park
Wouldn’t it be amazing to visit the lab where the light bulb was invented? You can at the Thomas Edison National Historical Park. His home and lab can be toured at the park and you can explore the recordings and photographs from the late 1870’s and early 1880’s. The park is only 6 miles from Newark so take some time to stop there at one of the restaurants or shops. For something different, have you ever tried urban camping? That is what Liberty Harbor RV Park offers. It is centrally located right in Jersey City and only 15 minutes from New York City! You can take the Ferry across to explore the city and be back in time to enjoy a campfire before bed. There are 50 sites with water and electric as well as a restaurant and bar on-site. There is a marina where you can dock your boat or rent kayaks to explore the bay. As an urban campground there aren’t a lot of wildflowers or wildlife but you might have a chipmunk visit your site hoping you drop something from your picnic table! Another one of the best places to camp in New Jersey this summer! Up Next
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