Best Dispersed Camping near New Vernon, NJ

Dispersed camping near New Vernon, New Jersey is limited, with the Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite 2 serving as one of the few official options in the broader region. This primitive site is located in Worthington State Forest along the Appalachian Trail and requires a hike-in approach. The Thunder Swamp Trailhead in nearby Pennsylvania provides an alternative dispersed camping option accessible by vehicle. Both locations offer basic primitive camping with minimal amenities.

Access to the Appalachian Trail campsite requires hiking, as it cannot be reached by vehicle. The site has no water source nearby, making it necessary to collect water from Sunfish Pond or Dunnfield Creek Natural Area before arriving. Thunder Swamp Trailhead features a gravel parking lot with shade trees that some campers use for overnight stays. Neither location provides amenities such as toilets, picnic tables, or designated fire rings. Fire restrictions apply in most areas, with ground fires prohibited at the Appalachian Trail site where bear boxes are provided for food storage.

The Appalachian Trail site balances community and solitude with both communal and secluded spots available. The terrain includes adequate trees for hammock camping but has limited flat spaces for tent setup. According to campers, "There's plenty of space. We camped nearer to others but there are secluded spots too." The site is well-maintained but lacks water access, with the nearest source being "Sunfish Pond, about a 1-mile round trip." At Thunder Swamp Trailhead, visitors note the parking area is "chill for a night" with "tons of hiking" available on nearby trails. Both locations serve primarily as simple overnight options for hikers and those seeking minimal backcountry camping experiences.

Best Dispersed Sites Near New Vernon, New Jersey (3)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near New Vernon, NJ

4 Photos of 3 New Vernon Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near New Vernon, NJ

2 Reviews of 3 New Vernon Campgrounds


  • R
    Jul. 12, 2017

    Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2

    Small but kind of your only option

    I gave the site only four stars because there's no water nearby, and the views are only mediocre. Also 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!

    That being said, as you enter the Worthington State Forest there are signs and hand painted maps indicating that this is the only place you can sleep in the forest. So if this is your timing, this is where you'll be sleeping! The site itself is unmarked when you come to it, but it's the only pretty obvious camping spot on the trail so it's not hard to find.

    Stock up on water at the Dunnfield creek natural area, or wait until Sunfish pond. There are lots of signs around Sunfish pond itself that there's no camping allowed.

  • Katharine T.
    May. 31, 2022

    Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2

    Perfect balance of community and space

    We stayed here during our section hike through the DWG on the AT. There’s plenty of space. We camped nearer to others but there are secluded spots too. We’ll maintained w bear boxes provided. Good trees for hammocking. We had thought there was a shelter (there isn’t) but it was fine. No ground fires. No Water (nearest is sunfish pound- easy hike about a 1 round trip). Great views!


Guide to New Vernon

Dispersed camping near New Vernon, New Jersey presents limited but viable options for those seeking rustic accommodations. Located within the highlands region, most primitive camping opportunities require traveling 40-60 miles from New Vernon, primarily toward the Delaware Water Gap area. The region's varied terrain features oak-hickory forests with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,600 feet, creating distinct microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the year.

What to do

Hammock camping opportunities: The Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite 2 features adequate trees for hammock setups. According to one visitor, "I was in a hammock and it was a great place for that!" The site's sloped terrain makes hammocks preferable to tents for many overnight hikers.

Hike to Sunfish Pond: From primitive camping areas near the Delaware Water Gap, this glacial lake provides a worthwhile day hike. One camper at Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite 2 notes, "No Water (nearest is sunfish pound- easy hike about a 1 round trip). Great views!"

Explore Thunder Swamp Trail system: The network offers numerous hiking options from its trailhead. A camper reports, "Trailhead parking was chill for a night. No trouble. Tons of hiking. Went down Saw Creek trail to a marsh."

What campers like

Natural shade coverage: The Thunder Swamp Trailhead provides tree coverage for vehicle-based primitive camping. A visitor observes, "It's a gravel parking lot. Plenty of shade. No one bothered me."

Bear protection measures: Safety features at Thunder Swamp Trailhead include designated bear boxes for food storage. This minimizes wildlife encounters in an area known for black bear activity.

Balance between community and solitude: The Appalachian Trail site configuration allows campers to choose their preferred camping experience. As one camper explains, "We camped nearer to others but there are secluded spots too. We'll maintained w bear boxes provided."

What you should know

Limited water access: Primitive sites require advance water planning. One camper at Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite 2 advised, "I gave the site only four stars because there's no water nearby, and the views are only mediocre."

Site identification challenges: Finding the Appalachian Trail campsite requires attention to trail markers. A hiker notes, "The site itself is unmarked when you come to it, but it's the only pretty obvious camping spot on the trail so it's not hard to find."

Permit requirements: Some Floyd Bennett Field camping areas and Delaware Water Gap backcountry require advance permits during peak seasons. Check with rangers before establishing camp as enforcement occurs regularly.

Tips for camping with families

Pack strategic essentials: The primitive nature of rustic camping near New Vernon requires careful planning. Bring sufficient water (minimum 2 gallons per person per day), bear-resistant containers, and navigation tools.

Choose accessible sites: For families with young children, Thunder Swamp Trailhead offers drive-in primitive camping that minimizes hiking demands while still providing outdoor immersion.

Weather preparation: The region experiences significant temperature fluctuations, particularly at higher elevations. Pack layered clothing and rain gear regardless of forecast, as mountain weather patterns change rapidly.

Tips from RVers

Limited parking dimensions: Thunder Swamp Trailhead accommodates smaller RVs and vans but has space constraints. The gravel lot supports class B motorhomes and conversion vans but lacks facilities for larger rigs.

Overnight policies: While dispersed camping occurs at trailheads, no formal designation exists for RV camping. Maintain minimal impact practices and observe posted regulations about maximum stay duration.

Generator restrictions: Respect quiet hours and no-generator rules in primitive camping areas. The rustic camping near New Vernon emphasizes natural surroundings over conveniences, requiring self-sufficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near New Vernon, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near New Vernon, NJ is Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2 with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near New Vernon, NJ?

TheDyrt.com has all 3 dispersed camping locations near New Vernon, NJ, with real photos and reviews from campers.