Best Dispersed Camping near Wantage, NJ

Dispersed camping near Wantage, New Jersey centers around several primitive sites in the surrounding tri-state region. The Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite 2 in Columbia, NJ provides free hike-in camping with strict regulations. Additional options include Hickok Brook in New York state, Thunder Swamp Trailhead in Pennsylvania, and Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed in New York. These areas typically require no reservations but may have specific land management rules depending on the jurisdiction.

Access to these dispersed sites varies considerably by location. The Thunder Swamp Trailhead offers drive-in access, though permits are required. Hickok Brook features a rough access road with large potholes requiring high-clearance vehicles, making it unsuitable for RVs or campers. Most sites lack amenities such as drinking water, toilets, or trash service. Hemlock Ridge MUA allows camping anywhere 150 feet from the trail, following Leave No Trace principles. The Appalachian Trail site prohibits ground fires, alcohol, and pets, but provides bear boxes for food storage.

These primitive camping areas appeal primarily to hikers, backpackers, and those seeking solitude. The Appalachian Trail site offers "plenty of space" with "secluded spots" according to visitors, though water must be obtained from Sunfish Pond, about a mile round trip. Hemlock Ridge MUA provides "a quiet peaceful wooded area" with limited parking for 4-6 vehicles and "absolutely no amenities whatsoever." Hickok Brook features lakeside tent sites described as "beautiful but buggy" with very limited camping space. Visitors to Thunder Swamp note the "tons of hiking" opportunities in the surrounding area. Cell service is limited or non-existent at most locations.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Wantage, New Jersey (4)

    1. Hickok Brook

    2 Reviews
    Barryville, NY
    24 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."

    2. Thunder Swamp Trailhead

    2 Reviews
    Unity House, PA
    28 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. Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2

    2 Reviews
    Shawnee on Delaware, PA
    33 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!"

    4. Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Plattekill, NY
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 256-3000

    "If you like dispersed camping, like me- this place is good. There are absolutely no amenities whatsoever & barely even a signal here, but it’s quiet & off the beaten path."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Wantage, NJ

6 Reviews of 4 Wantage 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.

  • Cory D.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2019

    Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed

    A place to sleep near the gunks

    This isn't a fancy campsite and has no amenities. There is a small(10 car) parking lot and a trail that runs thru 80 acres of forest. Camping is allowed anywhere 150ft from the trail. Normal LNT rules apply. Bugs are relentless. Many climbers stay there for access to the gunks.

  • Dawn M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 25, 2025

    Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed

    Pretty cool

    If you like dispersed camping, like me- this place is good. There are absolutely no amenities whatsoever & barely even a signal here, but it’s quiet & off the beaten path. The parking lot only holds about 4-5 cars, 6 if you park real tight. There’s no spectacular mountain views from above, but rather a quiet peaceful wooded area & although I only seen/stayed at one camping spot which is literally at about the required 150ft from the road, you can set up your own camp anywhere. I was the only one here & it was a very peaceful & relaxing night

  • 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 Wantage

Primitive camping near Wantage, New Jersey offers opportunities for solitude in the Kittatinny Mountains, where elevations range between 400-1,600 feet. The region experiences cold winters with occasional heavy snowfall and warm, humid summers, creating seasonal variations in camping conditions. Most dispersed sites in this tri-state area follow specific land management rules that differ between New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania jurisdictions.

What to do

Hiking at Hemlock Ridge: The 80-acre wooded area provides trails for day hiking without the crowds found at more popular destinations. "If you like dispersed camping, like me- this place is good. There are absolutely no amenities whatsoever & barely even a signal here, but it's quiet & off the beaten path," notes camper Dawn M. about Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed.

Explore marshlands: Thunder Swamp offers unique wetland ecosystems worth exploring during your stay. "Trailhead parking was chill for a night. No trouble. Tons of hiking. Went down Saw Creek trail to a marsh," reports Jason R. about his experience at Thunder Swamp Trailhead.

Hammock camping: The forested terrain provides ample trees for hammock setups. Katharine T. writes about the Appalachian Trail site, "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)."

What campers like

Seclusion: The primitive camping areas offer genuine solitude for those seeking to disconnect. "It's a quiet peaceful wooded area & although I only seen/stayed at one camping spot which is literally at about the required 150ft from the road, you can set up your own camp anywhere," explains Dawn M. about her experience at Hemlock Ridge.

Shaded parking: Some dispersed sites provide tree cover for vehicles during hot summer days. Benjamin H. describes Thunder Swamp Trailhead simply as "a gravel parking lot. Plenty of shade. No one bothered me."

Lake access: Several sites offer proximity to water features. Gregg T. mentions at Hickok Brook: "Had to move next to the lake. Need a permit on NY state land. Contact Rangers office of whatever county."

What you should know

Permit requirements: New York State lands typically require camping permits. "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," cautions Gregg T. about Hickok Brook.

Limited water sources: Pack sufficient water or plan trips to natural sources. Renee Z. shares about Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2: "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."

Road conditions: Access roads to primitive sites can be challenging. Corey notes about Hickok Brook: "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."

Tips for camping with families

Limited space awareness: Many dispersed sites have restricted capacity. "There are only 3 spots where we are. No motor vehicles beyond where I'm camping," reports Gregg T. about Hickok Brook, adding "It's Labor Day weekend, see how many people try to cram in to the very limited camping area."

Prepare for insects: Bugs can be problematic in wooded areas, especially near water. Cory D. warns about Hemlock Ridge MUA: "This isn't a fancy campsite and has no amenities. There is a small(10 car) parking lot and a trail that runs thru 80 acres of forest. Camping is allowed anywhere 150ft from the trail. Normal LNT rules apply. Bugs are relentless."

Supply considerations: Remote locations require bringing all necessities. "Bring everything with you. It's a hike back to town... there is a small town 10 minutes away. Eldred, NY," advises Gregg T. about camping at Hickok Brook.

Tips from RVers

Vehicle restrictions: Most primitive sites near Wantage are unsuitable for RVs or larger vehicles. Corey explains his experience at Hickok Brook: "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."

Parking limitations: Available spaces for vehicles are extremely limited. Dawn M. notes about Hemlock Ridge: "The parking lot only holds about 4-5 cars, 6 if you park real tight."

Cell service considerations: Connectivity is minimal or non-existent. Dawn M. mentions Hemlock Ridge has "barely even a signal here," making it important to plan navigation and emergency communications accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Wantage, NJ is Hickok Brook with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

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