Best Tent Camping near Belmar, NJ
Tent camping options near Belmar, New Jersey include several established campgrounds within reasonable driving distance. Sandy Hook in Gateway National Recreation Area offers walk-in tent sites with beach access, while Tip Tam Camping Resort in Jackson provides more amenities for tent campers. Pleasant Valley Lavender, roughly 20 miles from Belmar, features peaceful walk-in tent sites amid lavender fields.
Most tent sites around Belmar require preparation as amenities vary significantly between locations. Sandy Hook features walk-in sites approximately a quarter-mile from parking areas, with carts available to transport gear. The campground provides fire pits, picnic tables, and bear-proof storage lockers, though has no showers and only basic flush toilets. According to one visitor, "Sites are walk-in with only about a quarter mile and carts are available to haul gear." Wildlife considerations are important, as multiple campers report persistent raccoon and roach problems at Sandy Hook, necessitating careful food storage.
Tent campers seeking quieter experiences may prefer Pleasant Valley Lavender, where one camper noted it was "so pleasant to sleep near the blooming fields" with "tent camping in peace and quiet." The immediate Belmar area lacks backcountry tent camping options, but Wharton State Forest, while farther away (about 50 miles), offers more primitive tent sites at locations like Batona and Goshen Pond campgrounds. These provide greater seclusion and connection to nature. Seasonal considerations affect all regional tent sites, with most campgrounds operating from April through October. Tent campers should note that even at established campgrounds like Sandy Hook, no vehicles are permitted at individual campsites, making these true walk-in tent locations despite being in developed areas.