Best Dispersed Camping near Martinsville, NJ

Dispersed camping near Martinsville, New Jersey is extremely limited, with few designated options in the immediate vicinity. The closest dispersed camping sites are located within the Delaware Water Gap region, approximately 60 miles north. The Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite 2 near Columbia, New Jersey provides primitive camping along the Appalachian Trail corridor. This area requires hikers to access the site by foot, as it is not accessible by vehicle. The site functions as a backcountry camping area within Worthington State Forest with restrictions on use.

Access to the Appalachian Trail campsite requires hiking in, with no vehicle access permitted. The site has specific regulations including no ground fires allowed and no drinking water available on site. Campers need to carry in all necessary supplies and water or hike approximately one mile round trip to Sunfish Pond for water access. Bear boxes are provided at the site for proper food storage. According to forest regulations, this is one of the few designated camping areas within Worthington State Forest, as camping is prohibited in most other locations within the forest boundaries.

The Appalachian Trail campsite features a small clearing suitable for several tents, though the terrain is somewhat sloped in areas. Thunder Swamp Trailhead in neighboring Pennsylvania provides another potential dispersed camping option, though it's primarily a gravel parking lot where overnight stays appear to be tolerated. The Appalachian Trail site provides a balance between community and solitude. A visitor noted that "there's plenty of space. We camped nearer to others but there are secluded spots too." Another camper mentioned that "it's a little on the small and sloped side for tent camping, but I was in a hammock and it was a great place for that." The site is particularly well-suited for hammock camping due to the available trees.