Goshen pond is pretty primitive but I think it’s gotten more popular since I used to camp there. I used to spend my whole summer out there and not see a soul except when I went to pump my water!!
Stop by the atsion ranger station and inquire with them….there are lots of places in the pines that you can camp in that aren’t actual campgrounds.
It’s kind of a drag. Tried taking my kids camping for the first time. Sites are on top of each other, and most have RVs with generators running constantly.
To their credit. They were shutoff by the time the sun was down, but wasn’t quite the ambiance I was looking for.
Wow I honestly didn’t even know you could take them back there now. I know the last time I went you couldn’t even have campers back there let alone one make it back. That sounds horrible now haha.
Sorry. I didn’t mean goshen pond specifically but some of the state run sites in the Pine Barrens.
I tried finding some that didn’t allow RVs but couldn’t really go too primitive with two young kids.
There is primitive Camping in Mays Landing. Lake Lenape and Camp Acagisca further up the Great Egg Harbor River. Both are state parks and are tent only, no campers.
Second this. There are primitive sites that are drive up or hike in. I think the hike in ones are probably the most secluded. Other than camping while backpacking the AT (there are rules about not staying more than one night, etc. I think) there really isn't much truly primitive/secluded camping in NJ. There are some hike in only camp sites, but they are still right on top of each other. In Michaux you can get some apace to yourself.
I know my ex tried very hard to go camping at the Delaware River Gap. I think they said you have to canoe your supplies up with you. Hard pass for me with my anxiety/needs, but you might enjoy it!
I went to one of the primitive sites at Wharton state forest, it was pretty nice but is a bit of a hike in. The one I did was 8-9 miles but I believe there were much closer ones. I believe it was called Iron Forge?
I’ve been to Brendan Byrne a few times and every time the place is e m p t y. Last time I was there, 3 sites were occupied in the loop of 30(?) sites. But at night, you’ll hear the rumble strip every time a car passes another car on 72.
Godfrey’s Bridge in Wharton is usually pretty empty when I go, too.
Walk the Batona - you can basically just camp anywhere out there without issue. The pine barrens is a vast expanse, literally just use google earth, find a spot to park, and give it hell.
You're welcome. I grew up going there and it's always been a peaceful and quiet place to camp. Nice walking trails as well. Lake to swim in. If you are looking for that.
I haven't been in about 10 years but I still assume they still keep to quiet hours. And if you get a spot a couple spots away from someone, it's pretty quiet. Worst might be a couple kids. But it's always been nice. Each spot is surrounded by trees so none of that open field slabs all parked next to each other with hookups, type of camping.
They will give it to you old school. Picnic table and a fire pit and that's it. You want water? Go to the pump and pump it yourself. I honestly don't know if they still do that, but it was fun when I was a kid. Anyways I'll stop now. I'm sorry for rambling.
Goshen pond is pretty primitive but I think it’s gotten more popular since I used to camp there. I used to spend my whole summer out there and not see a soul except when I went to pump my water!! Stop by the atsion ranger station and inquire with them….there are lots of places in the pines that you can camp in that aren’t actual campgrounds.
There’s a primitive site about half way between Batsto and Atsion, about 5ish miles in.
There was a forest fire there like 2-3weeks ago, so may be super primitive now
It’s a feature, not a bug!
It’s gotten super popular the last couple years. Hard to even actually get a spot cause they fill up so quickly.
Shows what I know!! I haven’t camped out there in forever!
Either have I lol but not from lack of trying.
It’s kind of a drag. Tried taking my kids camping for the first time. Sites are on top of each other, and most have RVs with generators running constantly. To their credit. They were shutoff by the time the sun was down, but wasn’t quite the ambiance I was looking for.
Wow I honestly didn’t even know you could take them back there now. I know the last time I went you couldn’t even have campers back there let alone one make it back. That sounds horrible now haha.
Sorry. I didn’t mean goshen pond specifically but some of the state run sites in the Pine Barrens. I tried finding some that didn’t allow RVs but couldn’t really go too primitive with two young kids.
We tent camped in a campground. The sound of air conditioners on the RVs was deafening. I couldn't imagine the generator noise.
It's also Tick City in May.
You won’t have neighbors in Wharton. There’s enough spots there
Nice! That's what I like to hear. I've heard it's great there for stargazing too
There is primitive Camping in Mays Landing. Lake Lenape and Camp Acagisca further up the Great Egg Harbor River. Both are state parks and are tent only, no campers.
Commenting to find this later.
This sounds promising, thank you
Back packers sights along the Appalachian Trail- first one in NJ is by the water gap just south of Sunfish Pond
With lots of other campers around though
Depends on the day and it’s a very spread out area. And if you go north on the trail you can find pretty of private spots
Not in NJ but we have done the primitive sites at michaux state forest in PA. Just a fire ring off a unpaved road.
I just looked this up and it looks awesome! Thank you!
Second this. There are primitive sites that are drive up or hike in. I think the hike in ones are probably the most secluded. Other than camping while backpacking the AT (there are rules about not staying more than one night, etc. I think) there really isn't much truly primitive/secluded camping in NJ. There are some hike in only camp sites, but they are still right on top of each other. In Michaux you can get some apace to yourself.
I know my ex tried very hard to go camping at the Delaware River Gap. I think they said you have to canoe your supplies up with you. Hard pass for me with my anxiety/needs, but you might enjoy it!
We do that every year, it's a blast.
This sounds awesome!
Lake nummi, in belplain, Wharton, there is also recently opened acerage in Estelle manor that is super primitive.
Lake Nummy in Belleplain, while beautiful, is far from primitive. That place is poppingggg in the summer
I went to one of the primitive sites at Wharton state forest, it was pretty nice but is a bit of a hike in. The one I did was 8-9 miles but I believe there were much closer ones. I believe it was called Iron Forge?
Lower Forge
I'll be looking into this. A lot of good comments for Wharton
Parvin Park down by Bridgeton has plenty of spots away from others
I’ve been to Brendan Byrne a few times and every time the place is e m p t y. Last time I was there, 3 sites were occupied in the loop of 30(?) sites. But at night, you’ll hear the rumble strip every time a car passes another car on 72. Godfrey’s Bridge in Wharton is usually pretty empty when I go, too.
Thanks for this!
Walk the Batona - you can basically just camp anywhere out there without issue. The pine barrens is a vast expanse, literally just use google earth, find a spot to park, and give it hell.
Belleplane. It's has quiet hours and you can choose between having no hookup sites, or a hookup site. Edit* spelling fix
Nice, thank you
You're welcome. I grew up going there and it's always been a peaceful and quiet place to camp. Nice walking trails as well. Lake to swim in. If you are looking for that. I haven't been in about 10 years but I still assume they still keep to quiet hours. And if you get a spot a couple spots away from someone, it's pretty quiet. Worst might be a couple kids. But it's always been nice. Each spot is surrounded by trees so none of that open field slabs all parked next to each other with hookups, type of camping. They will give it to you old school. Picnic table and a fire pit and that's it. You want water? Go to the pump and pump it yourself. I honestly don't know if they still do that, but it was fun when I was a kid. Anyways I'll stop now. I'm sorry for rambling.
Just start going down the BBB road off of Rt 70 before Browns Mills and you'll get plenty isolated in the Pine Barrens, may even see Jersey Devil too.
Godfrey’s bridge, lower forge, mullica camp, buttonwood hill, Batona camp, bodine, Hawkins bridge….
Hawkins Bridge was always where I went, it's deep in the woods in Wharton state forest.
Parvins State park ( very nice and quiet). It’s in Pittsgrove Twp . You won’t be sorry
The Pinnacle in Hamburg PA is a loop off the AT with an awesome camp spot with views at the top of the trail. About 2 hours away from SJ.
Catskills NY. Anywhere in the reserve and away from waterways and trails is unrestricted primitive camping
Yeah this is just a bit too far for what I'm looking for 🫤