Tent camping options near Pennington, New Jersey range from primitive backcountry sites to more developed family campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at the transition between New Jersey's coastal plain and the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, creating varied terrain for campers to explore. Several campgrounds in the area operate from April through October, with restricted or no winter access due to seasonal closures and weather conditions.
What to do
Explore historic sites: Washington Crossing State Park, temporarily closed for 2024, offers access to significant Revolutionary War landmarks. "It's a quaint historical area kept green and nature friendly. Good for biking and dog walking," notes Curran S. The park hosts an annual reenactment of Washington crossing the Delaware River, with a visitor reviewing: "Every year, they re-enact Washington's troops crossing the Delaware! It was VERY cold the year I went."
Fishing opportunities: Evansburg State Park Campground provides excellent fishing options within driving distance of Pennington. "Great park to do everything outdoorsy including, hiking, horseback riding, hunting and fishing. I caught a beautiful Brown Trout here," reports a camper. The park requires fishing licenses and trout endorsements for anglers.
Hiking the Batona Trail: Batona — Wharton State Forest offers direct trail access from campsites. "Best part of this campground is trailheads begin directly from campsites. Trails vary in length but all are flat and easily accessible," explains a reviewer. The campground sits on the 50-mile Batona Trail, making it ideal for long-distance hikers seeking multiple day adventures.
What campers like
Secluded sites: Jenny Jump State Forest provides more private camping spaces than many other areas near Pennington. A camper notes, "My husband and I tent camped in #34 with our dog. The space was reasonably priced, but we did have to pay an extra $5/day for our dog. However, we didn't mind as it was so private we felt like we had the entire Park to ourselves."
Clear water: Round Valley State Park Campground features exceptional water clarity, with one visitor noting, "The water is crystal clear, the area is clean. There's bathrooms and pumps but we just filtered the water from the reservoir instead which tasted a million times better than the well water." Another camper mentioned that they "paddled in, the water is very clean and crystal clear."
Wildlife viewing: Boulder Ridge Farm provides campers with chances to observe native wildlife. "Great place to escape the stress of every day life. Plenty of fire wood, really cool huge rocks and waking up to owls was awesome," reports a visitor. The natural setting offers opportunities to hear and spot nocturnal birds and other wildlife.
What you should know
Primitive facilities: Many campgrounds near Pennington feature basic amenities. At Batona Campground, "Each campsite includes a fire pit with a grate (no picnic tables). There are two outhouses and one water source within the campground." Campers should prepare accordingly with necessary supplies.
Access challenges: Several campgrounds require significant effort to reach. Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area has specific entry requirements: "The campground is rustic with no showers or electricity. Tenting only, with all gear needing to be carried to the site. No vehicles allowed at the campsite." Similarly, Evansburg State Park can present access issues with one camper noting "only downside is having to haul gear by foot to the campsite."
Seasonal considerations: Most of the best tent camping near Pennington operates within limited seasons. Fort Washington State Park Campground maintains trails for different seasons: "In addition to hiking trails, there's designated biking areas, areas with water and modern restrooms, picnicking areas, shelters and pavilions, volleyball court, ballfields, disc golf course, hawk watching deck, children's playgrounds, sledding area and cross-country skiing trails."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Tip Tam Camping Resort offers numerous activities for children. "We have been here several times and our daughter loves it. Great place for kids and tons of activities," shares a visitor. Another camper notes specific features: "They have peddle cars and playgrounds. They deliver wood to your site by the truck full!"
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds have varying noise levels throughout the day. One Tip Tam visitor mentioned, "The only downside I saw was people here are up way too early. 7am place was already loud. 7:45am a propane truck pulled in to fill the propane and was extremely loud. 8am people with leaf blowers and chopping wood. Don't expect to sleep past 7:30am."
Wildlife awareness: Bears are active in several camping areas around Pennington. At Batona Campground, campers are advised that "Bears frequent this campground so be bear aware and practice proper food storage." For families with young children, proper food storage and wildlife education is essential before visiting these areas.
Tips from RVers
Site restrictions: Many campgrounds near Pennington have limitations for larger vehicles. Batona Campground accepts smaller RVs but with cautions: "Sites are suitable for tents or small campers. The unpaved road into the site is narrow and tree lined. A larger RV would not fit." The road conditions include "about 1 mile of loose sand" which can challenge some vehicles.
Hookup availability: Electric hookups are limited at many campgrounds in the region. Jenny Jump State Forest offers some sites with electric connections, while many other primitive campgrounds like Batona and Sandy Hook have no hookup options for RVs, requiring self-contained camping capabilities.
Road access: Road conditions vary significantly between campgrounds. Jenny Jump State Forest is accessible for smaller RVs, while Boulder Ridge Farm specifies "2WD is fine but 4WD will make your experience getting to the property a bit more smooth." RVers should research specific access conditions before planning trips to the area.
