Best Dispersed Camping near Montville, NJ
The Montville, New Jersey area connects to several backcountry camping options within a reasonable drive, primarily focused on primitive sites along the Appalachian Trail corridor. Worthington State Forest contains designated backpacker sites, including the Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite 2, which serves as one of the few legal camping locations in this section of forest. Within an hour's drive, campers can also access dispersed sites at Hickok Brook in New York state and Thunder Swamp Trailhead in Pennsylvania. These locations predominantly support tent camping and hammocking rather than vehicle-based or RV camping, reflecting the region's emphasis on backcountry experiences and trail-based recreation.
Camping regulations and access vary significantly across these sites. The Appalachian Trail campsite requires hikers to pack in all supplies, with no water sources directly at the site. According to visitor reports, "Stock up on water at Dunnfield Creek natural area or wait until Sunfish Pond," though camping at Sunfish Pond itself is prohibited. Sites like Hickok Brook feature rough access roads with "huge potholes" requiring "good clearance," making them unsuitable for RVs or campers. Most locations have specific permit requirements, particularly on New York state land where rangers enforce designated camping areas. Limited amenities characterize these sites, with most lacking toilets, running water, or trash service.
Visitor experiences highlight both the limitations and appeal of these primitive camping options. The Appalachian Trail site receives praise for being "well maintained with bear boxes provided" and offering "good trees for hammocking," though some note it can be "small and sloped for tent camping." Hickok Brook features "beautiful but buggy lakeside tent sites" with very limited capacity—"only 3 spots" according to recent visitors. Space constraints appear common across the region, with one camper noting that during holiday weekends, people "try to cram into the very limited camping area." Despite these challenges, the sites provide quiet natural settings with opportunities for hiking connections, particularly along the Appalachian Trail through the Delaware Water Gap.
