Free Camping in New Jersey

71 sites across 5 federal and state land agencies. 0 sites have full agency-grounded write-ups; the rest are in the indexing queue.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sites

1 site. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration camping rules →

  • Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve
    Developed· Indexing

National Park Service sites

18 sites. National Park Service camping rules →

  • (Deactivated) Sandy Hook Season Beach Parking
    Developed· Indexing
  • Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area
    Developed· Indexing
  • Ellis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument
    Developed· Indexing
  • Gateway National Recreation Area - Sandy Hook Canoe Cruise
    Developed· Indexing
  • Great Egg Harbor River
    Developed· Indexing
  • Jockey Hollow Visitor Center
    Developed· Indexing
  • Kittatinny Point Visitor Center
    Developed· Indexing
  • Laboratory Complex Visitor Center
    Developed· Indexing
  • Liberty Island Information Center
    Developed· Indexing
  • Morristown National Historical Park
    Developed· Indexing
  • New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve
    Developed· Indexing
  • Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
    Developed· Indexing
  • Sandy Hook Beach Parking
    Developed· Indexing
  • Statue Of Liberty National Monument
    Developed· Indexing
  • Thomas Edison Laboratory Audio Tour
    Developed· Indexing
  • Thomas Edison National Historical Park
    Developed· Indexing
  • Washington's Headquarters Museum
    Developed· Indexing
  • Worthington State Forest Campground
    Developed· Indexing

PRIVATE sites

46 sites. PRIVATE camping rules →

  • Adventure Bound Tall Pines
    Developed· Indexing
  • AMC Mohican Outdoor Center
    Developed· Indexing
  • Atlantic Shore Pines Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Atsion Family Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Avalon Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Babtist Camp and Conference Center
    Developed· Indexing
  • Brendan T. Byrne State Forest Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Buttonwood Hill Camp
    Dispersed· Indexing
  • Camp Deeny Riback
    Developed· Indexing
  • Camp Dix
    Developed· Indexing
  • Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook
    Developed· Indexing
  • Camp Glen Gray
    Developed· Indexing
  • Camp Lewis
    Developed· Indexing
  • Cape Island Resort
    Developed· Indexing
  • Cheesequake State Park Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Cheesequake State Park Group Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Fairview Lake YMCA Camp
    Developed· Indexing
  • Four Seasons Family Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Frontier Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Godfrey Bridge Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Group Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Happiness Is Camping
    Developed· Indexing
  • Indian Rock Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Lower Forge Campground
    Dispersed· Indexing
22 more PRIVATE sites in New Jersey.

State Agency Program sites

1 site. State Agency Program camping rules →

  • Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District
    Developed· Indexing

US Fish and Wildlife Service sites

5 sites. US Fish and Wildlife Service camping rules →

  • Cape May National Wildlife Refuge
    Developed· Indexing
  • Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
    Developed· Indexing
  • Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
    Developed· Indexing
  • Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
    Developed· Indexing
  • Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge
    Developed· Indexing

Common questions about camping in New Jersey

How long can you camp on public land in New Jersey?
The federal limit on BLM and USFS land in New Jersey is 14 days within any 28-day period at one camp area, then a 25-mile move. Source: 43 CFR §8365.1-2 for BLM and 36 CFR §261.10 for USFS. NPS sites in New Jersey have separate per-park limits, usually set by the park superintendent's compendium. Always check the local field office before relying on the rule for any specific site.
Are there fire restrictions in New Jersey right now?
Fire restrictions in New Jersey change weekly during fire season. Check the BLM New Jersey state office page and the USFS New Jersey forest pages for the current Stage I, II, or III restrictions before lighting any fire. Stage I usually means no open fires outside developed grates. Stage II usually means no fires anywhere on the unit, including stoves outside developed sites. Carry a backup stove and a check-in plan.
What's the difference between dispersed and developed camping in New Jersey?
Dispersed camping in New Jersey means primitive, no fee, no facilities. You pull off a public-land road and camp where established disturbance already exists. Developed camping means a designated campground with a host, vault toilet, fire ring, picnic table, and usually a nightly fee through Recreation.gov. Per 36 CFR §261.13 and the Travel Management Rule.
Can you run a generator at public-land campsites in New Jersey?
Generators are generally allowed at developed campgrounds in New Jersey with quiet hours, usually 8pm to 8am. The exact window varies by site and is posted at each campground or in the host's contract. On dispersed land, the federal noise rules and Leave No Trace ethics apply: do not run a generator within 200 feet of water or after dark. Some NPS units in New Jersey prohibit generators entirely; check the park's compendium first.
Are dogs allowed at public-land campsites in New Jersey?
Dogs are generally allowed on BLM and USFS public-land sites in New Jersey when leashed, with the same Leave No Trace ethics that apply to humans: pack out waste, keep your dog on a 6-foot leash or under voice control, do not let them chase wildlife. NPS units in New Jersey are stricter; dogs are typically barred from trails and backcountry, allowed only in developed campgrounds and on paved roads. Always check the specific unit's rules before driving in. State park rules vary too.
Can you camp on public lands in New Jersey in winter?
Winter access in New Jersey depends on the unit. Many BLM dispersed sites and USFS forest roads stay open year-round when conditions allow but become snowed-in or gated above certain elevations. Developed campgrounds usually close from mid-October to mid-April. NPS units in New Jersey often shift to limited winter operations with reduced services. Check the agency office or Recreation.gov for current road status and gate closure dates. Carry chains and emergency supplies in shoulder season.
Where can you dump RV waste on public lands in New Jersey?
Most dispersed and primitive sites in New Jersey do not have dump stations. You need to plan a stop at a developed campground (USFS, BOR, USACE, or NPS) with a dump station, or a paid commercial dump at a Pilot/Flying J or KOA on your route. Recreation.gov lists which federal campgrounds have dump stations. Never dump on dispersed land; it is a federal violation under 36 CFR §261.11 and 43 CFR §8365.1-1. Sites that have a dump station show it in the Boondock site page.
What's cell coverage like at public-land campsites in New Jersey?
Coverage in New Jersey varies sharply by carrier and site elevation. Carriers' coverage maps are aspirational; the FCC National Broadband Map is more honest but still self-reported. For remote New Jersey sites you should expect no signal on Verizon and T-Mobile at most BLM dispersed land and on dry-side USFS roads. AT&T tends to drop in canyons. The Boondock site page shows coverage data when we have it; absent that, assume no signal and tell someone your plan before you go.

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