New Jersey Camping: Fun For the Entire Family

By RA Manseau

Fort Mercer Monument, New Jersey Camping

New Jersey camping is a wonderful way to spend your vacation. Whether your interest lie in the great outdoors, historical sites or casinos, you will find it in New Jersey.

As you take your RV New Jersey camping vacation don’t miss the northern most section of the state. The scenery in this mountainous area is magnificent. There are wonderful hiking trails, lakes and waterfalls. Most of the falls are tucked back on hiking trails. The Buttermilk Waterfall is one of the few falls in the state that has a developed viewing area. The falls cascades 80 to 90 feet down the red shale face of the Kittatinny Ridge in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The Kittatinny Mountains and the Kittatinny Valley provide a wonderful play area to hike, swim, picnic, paddle, mountain bike, horseback ride or cross-country ski. There are nice hospitable New Jersey campgrounds all through the recreation area some of which are open year round.

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Five Tips & Hints to RV New Jersey

Plan ahead and book your New Jersey campsite online!
For more travel and tourism information, visit New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism website.
A lot of people don't realize that much of New Jersey is farmland and forests, making for a scenic New Jersey camping vacation.
Winters in New Jersey are fairly moderate and summers are warm. In the mountain-lakes region of the north, temperatures are several degrees cooler and the rainfall and snowfall are heavier than in central and southern New Jersey.
A New Jersey camping trip would not be complete without a tour of the state's historic light houses. Contact the New Jersey Lighthouse Society for more information.

RV New Jersey to Liberty State Park in Jersey City, here you can enjoy picnicking and playing along the waterfront within sight of Ellis Island and The Statue of Liberty. You can catch a ferry out to visit these historically significant sights. The view of the New York skyline from Liberty Island is amazing. It is recommended that you purchase your tickets in advance to ensure a space on the ferry.

Right next to Jersey City is Newark. Plan on spending a little time in Newark while on your New Jersey camping vacation, the city is home to some of the oldest and most interesting buildings on the east coast. The Newark Museum is a must see! This is the larges museum in New Jersey and offers unforgettable experiences in the arts, and natural sciences. One wing of the museum is the Victorian Ballantine House. This national Landmark was built in 1885 for Jeannette and John Holme Ballantine. This brick and limestone mansion originally had 27 rooms. The house is nicely restored.

Sacred Heart Cathedral, New Jersey Camping

Sacred Heart Cathedral, New Jersey Camping

Another wonderful site is the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. In October 1995, Pope John Paul II said of this cathedral, “This magnificent building stands in the heart of Newark as a powerful reminder of God’s steadfast love for his people and as a sign of faith in Christ, our ‘hope of glory’”, The Cathedral is absolutely beautiful. The stained glass windows, ornately sculptured shrines and the overall structure of this building is truly a masterpiece. The church is still in use today, as you walk through quite is requested, being mindful of those in prayer.

The Essex County court house is another fine building. Built in 1904 this court house is still in use today. The beautiful marble clad structure houses artwork from some of the best-known Renaissance artist of America. The grand arches, stairways and tile work are in themselves artwork worth coming to see. Newark has lots of museums and historical buildings to see while camping at one of the New Jersey campgrounds near by.

New Jersey camping would not be complete without a visit to Atlantic City. The city has entertainment for all ages. The famous Steel Pier is one of the most renowned ocean front amusement parks in the world. The pier originally opened in 1898 and it is still a premier destination for thrill seekers today. The beautiful ocean front city is also famous for its casinos. If you are looking for a fun activity that is free, check out the Absecon Lighthouse Museum. This is New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse and it has a wonderful museum and charming gift shop. Let the kids run while you take a rest and break for lunch on the two-acre lawn. You can even bring the family dog as long as you keep him on a leash. If you wish to climb the lighthouse there is an admission fee, but parking, the museum and park are free. For more information about the Absecon Lighthouse consult their website.

Just south of Atlantic City is another famous vacation destination, Ocean City. The island has eight miles of board walk to enjoy walking, jogging or riding a bike, two amusement parks and beautiful sandy beaches. During the busy summer months bikes on the board walk are limited to the hours, 5 am to noon. The rest of the year they are not limited. There are New Jersey Campgrounds within a short distance of Ocean City.

New Jersey camping offers so much to keep your family entertained; from the beautiful White Mountains to the Atlantic coast beaches the possibilities are endless. RV New Jersey for a fun