Best Dispersed Camping near Randolph, NJ

Dispersed camping near Randolph, New Jersey primarily centers around the Appalachian Trail corridor, where primitive backcountry sites require hikers to follow specific regulations. The Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite 2 serves as one of the few authorized dispersed camping locations in the Worthington State Forest area. Campers must adhere to strict guidelines as signs indicate this is the only permitted overnight spot within certain forest sections. Additional primitive sites can be found at Thunder Swamp Trailhead in Pennsylvania and Hickok Brook in New York, both within reasonable driving distance from Randolph.

Access conditions vary significantly between sites. The Appalachian Trail campsite requires hiking in with all supplies, with no vehicle access available. Thunder Swamp Trailhead features a gravel parking lot suitable for overnight stays but offers minimal amenities. Hickok Brook access roads contain large potholes requiring high-clearance vehicles, making it unsuitable for RVs or campers. No drinking water is available at any of these sites, and most prohibit ground fires. Bear boxes are provided at the Appalachian Trail site. Camping permits may be required for New York state land, with ranger verification of legitimate camping spots.

These primitive areas attract hikers and backpackers seeking solitude rather than amenities. The Appalachian Trail site balances community and privacy options, with both communal and more secluded tent spots available. One backpacker noted, "There's plenty of space. We camped nearer to others but there are secluded spots too. No Water (nearest is sunfish pound- easy hike about a 1 round trip)." At Hickok Brook, visitors find lakeside camping with limited spots. A camper reported, "There are only 3 spots where we are. No motor vehicles beyond where I'm camping. Bring everything with you." Thunder Swamp Trailhead provides access to extensive hiking trails, with one reviewer simply stating, "It's a gravel parking lot. Plenty of shade. No one bothered me."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Randolph, New Jersey (4)

    1. Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2

    2 Reviews
    Shawnee on Delaware, PA
    29 miles
    Website

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

    "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!"

    2. Thunder Swamp Trailhead

    2 Reviews
    Unity House, PA
    34 miles

    "Trailhead parking was chill for a night. No trouble. Tons of hiking. Went down Saw Creek trail to a marsh."

    "Plenty of shade. No one bothered me."

    3. Hickok Brook

    2 Reviews
    Barryville, NY
    48 miles

    "I drove in thinking that there would be flat places to park a very rugged camper in my full ton diesel pickup. The road is very rough with huge potholes so good clearance is a must."

    "Where I originally camped was not a spot, according to Ranger. Had to move next to the lake. Need a permit on NY state land. Contact Rangers office of whatever county."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Randolph, NJ

7 Photos of 4 Randolph Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Randolph, NJ

4 Reviews of 4 Randolph 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.

  • Corey
    Jun. 17, 2024

    Hickok Brook

    Beautiful but buggy lakeside tent sites

    I drove in thinking that there would be flat places to park a very rugged camper in my full ton diesel pickup. The road is very rough with huge potholes so good clearance is a must. It's not a good spot for car camping but you could conceivably drive up to the spots and pull off the road to put up a small tent somewhere. Very gorgeous but not rv friendly.

  • 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!

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Hickok Brook

    Small, don't blink you'll miss it.

    There are only 3 spots where we are. No motor vehicles beyond where I'm camping. Bring everything with you. It's a hike back to town... there is a small town 10 minutes away. Eldred, NY. Really is a nice quiet place. It's Labor Day weekend, see how many people try to cram in to the very limited camping area. Where I originally camped was not a spot, according to Ranger. Had to move next to the lake. Need a permit on NY state land. Contact Rangers office of whatever county.


Guide to Randolph

Dispersed camping near Randolph, New Jersey offers primitive backcountry experiences within a 90-minute driving radius. The Delaware Water Gap region sits at elevations between 300-1,500 feet, creating diverse terrain for backcountry campers. Winter temperatures frequently drop below freezing, while summer brings high humidity and temperatures averaging 80-85°F during peak camping months.

What to do

Hiking trail access: Thunder Swamp Trailhead provides entry points to multiple hiking paths through Pennsylvania forest land. One camper noted, "Trailhead parking was chill for a night. No trouble. Tons of hiking. Went down Saw Creek trail to a marsh."

Wildlife observation: Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2 positions campers near wildlife habitats including black bears, which necessitates proper food storage. A backpacker observed the site has "good trees for hammocking" and mentioned it was "well maintained w bear boxes provided."

Lake activities: Primitive sites at Hickok Brook offer lakeside camping opportunities. Ranger enforcement ensures proper site selection, with one camper reporting: "Had to move next to the lake. Need a permit on NY state land. Contact Rangers office of whatever county."

What campers like

Hammock camping options: The terrain and tree coverage at several sites accommodate hammock camping better than tent setups. A reviewer at Appalachian Trail Campsite 2 mentioned: "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!"

Solitude opportunities: Thunder Swamp Trailhead provides quiet overnight parking with minimal disturbance. A camper confirmed: "Plenty of shade. No one bothered me."

Balance between isolation and community: Some dispersed camping spots balance social and private options. For those seeking variable spacing options, one camper found Appalachian Trail Campsite 2 offered this flexibility, stating it had a "perfect balance of community and space."

What you should know

Permit requirements vary: New York state land requires camping permits that must be verified by rangers. One Hickok Brook camper shared their experience: "Where I originally camped was not a spot, according to Ranger. Had to move next to the lake."

Limited capacity: Most dispersed camping options near Randolph have very few designated spots. Hickok Brook is particularly restricted, with one camper noting: "There are only 3 spots where we are. No motor vehicles beyond where I'm camping. Bring everything with you."

Water planning essential: Water sources are sparse at most sites. At Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2, a camper advised: "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."

Tips for camping with families

Distance considerations: When backcountry camping with children, note that water sources often require additional hiking. One Appalachian Trail camper mentioned water access required "an easy hike about a 1 round trip."

Location verification: Always confirm camping is permitted at your chosen spot, particularly with children. A camper at Hickok Brook found: "It's a hike back to town... there is a small town 10 minutes away. Eldred, NY."

Holiday planning: Holiday weekends see increased usage at limited dispersed sites. A Hickok Brook camper observed during a holiday: "It's Labor Day weekend, see how many people try to cram in to the very limited camping area."

Tips from RVers

Vehicle clearance requirements: High-clearance vehicles are mandatory for accessing many dispersed camping areas near Randolph. A visitor to Hickok Brook warned: "The road is very rough with huge potholes so good clearance is a must. It's not a good spot for car camping but you could conceivably drive up to the spots and pull off the road to put up a small tent somewhere. Very gorgeous but not rv friendly."

Size limitations: Large RVs and campers cannot access most dispersed camping near Randolph. One camper noted their surprise: "I drove in thinking that there would be flat places to park a very rugged camper in my full ton diesel pickup" but found the area unsuitable.

Overnight parking options: For those with smaller vehicles, some trailheads permit overnight parking for hiking access, though amenities are minimal. One Thunder Swamp visitor simply described it as "a gravel parking lot."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Randolph, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Randolph, 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 Randolph, NJ?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 dispersed camping locations near Randolph, NJ, with real photos and reviews from campers.