Five Reasons to Pack Up your Tent

If you love the outdoors now is one of my favorite times to explore one of over one hundred campground across New Jersey.  When it comes to camping options, NJ has it all from state parks to full service resorts that cater to your comfort level from tent sites, cabins, or even RV hookups.  Many campgrounds offer a variety of family friendly things to do for all ages such as Halloween fun, swimming pools, playgrounds, outdoor movie theaters, and special events.  Here are five reasons to pack up your tent.  Just don’t forget to pack the s’mores too.  

  1. Better Weather – In the fall you still get the warm days to enjoy being outside without bundling up with hats, scarves, and gloves.  At night it cools down so it makes it fun to huddle around the campfire and make s’mores or enjoy some hot chocolate.  Not to mention you sleep better in the cooler weather. 
  2. No more bugs – The mosquitos die down a lot once the cooler weather arrives so you aren’t swatting the whole time you walk around your site. 
  3. The scenery - The fall colors give you a beautiful background to take a hike or wander your campground.   Collect acorns or leaves to make a fun craft.     
  4. The variety of kid’s activities available at many of the campgrounds.   From hayrides to outdoor movies to community fires there is so much to do.  You really get a lot for your money when you find a campground with activities onsite.  
  5.  Lower rates and fewer people – Many campsites offer discounts after Labor Day.  With less people inclined to camp during the school year, you can enjoy having fewer neighbors and less crowded hiking trails.

Here are a some places to go to get you started.  

Allaire State Park

4265 Atlantic Ave, Farmingdale, NJ 07727 732-938-2371

They have 45 tent and trailer sites with fire rings and picnic tables.  Flush toilets and shower facilities are within walking distance. Rates start at $20 a night for NJ residents.   They also have four yurts available.  They are circular tents built on a wood frame, featuring wood floors, a deck and Plexiglas skylight. Each yurt has a wooden door, window screens and flaps, and two double-deck bunks, which sleep up to four people starting at $35 per night.  Or if you prefer walls they also have six cabin-like shelters with wood stove for heat and two double-deck bunks, which sleep up to four people for $48 a night.  Some of the onsite features include the Pine Creek Railroad with historic train rides, a recreation of an early 19th century historic village with buildings you can tour, and a network of trails for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.

Lake & Shore RV Resort

515 Corson Tavern Road Ocean View, NJ 08230 877-570-2267

Only 10 miles from beautiful and historic Cape May, they have 223 RV sites available.  But even if you don’t own an RV, there are cabins available to rent.  Some features include a newly renovated welcome center, beach area, waterpark, children's playground, mini golf course, bike trails, and a pool.

Panther Lake Camping Resort

6 Panther Lake Road, Andover, NJ 07821 800-543-2056

This camping resort features a 45 acre lake on 160 acre campground.   They welcome RV’s but if you don’t have one you can rent one or one of their cabins.  They have swimming in an Olympic sized heated pool, sandy beach lake, tennis courts, mini golf, boat rentals, and fishing.  

Surf & Stream Campground
1801 Ridgeway Road (Route 571), Toms River, NJ 08757 732-349-8919

Spend the night under the stars and wake up to a gorgeous view overlooking the Toms River. Amenities at the campground include a full-size swimming pool, picnic area, playground, mini golf, bocce court, volleyball, weekend events and more.  They are located just a short distance away from public golf courses, horseback riding, shopping, gourmet restaurants, boardwalks, water rides and amusements.  

Visit our Fun Things to do Guide under the camping section to find more ideas of places near you.