10 REASONS TO CAMP IN NEW JERSEY
BY: ERIC STEPHENSON
THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF REASONS TO GO
camping in new jersey, but there is one large,
and i mean really large, reason:
where else in the country can you drive less
then 3 hours and go from the mountains, to the
SHORE, TO THE MARSHLANDS, TO 3 DIFFERENT MAJOR
metropolitan areas to several major lakes and
everywhere in between? camping in new jersey is
LITERALLY THE BEST OF ALL WORLDS. THERE IS JUST
about nothing you cannot do while you camp in
new jersey. you have your choice of over 120
CAMPGROUNDS AND STATE PARK FACILITIES TO CHOOSE
from not to mention thousands of acres of public
land to explore.
just about every one of the privates campgrounds
in the state have craft activities, pools,
FISHING PONDS, SPORTS ACTIVITIES AND SO MANY
other amenities i can't even count. most of them
are clean, modern and well suited to just about
ANY TYPE OF CAMPING. THEY ARE ALL WITHIN A
decent driving distance of dozens of cultural,
sports, historical, recreational and children
RELATED ATTRACTIONS. HAVING SAID THAT LET ME
give you the all time top 10 reasons to camp in
new jersey:
1. atlantic city and its world-famous beach and
boardwalk, luxurious casino, non-stop gaming
ACTION, THE HOTTEST ENTERTAINERS, THE BEST IN
dining, and quality sporting events.
2. REVEL IN BAY HERITAGE ALONG A SCENIC
waterfront in somers point or visit the landmark
mansion of original harbormaster richard somers,
THE OLDEST HOME IN ALL OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, IT
remains a museum today. marvel at the world's
only 63-foot pachyderm with a visit to lucy the
MARGATE ELEPHANT. OR HAVE YOUR CHILDREN
experience their favorite nursery rhythm
characters in life size at storybook land.
3. there's the 760,000-gallon open-ocean tank at
the new jersey academy for aquatic sciences at
ADVENTURE AQUARIUM IN CAMDEN, JUST ONE OF THE
fascinating exhibits depicting sea life from
around the state. or trenton, the nations
SECOND-LARGEST STATE CAPITAL IN CONTINUOUS USE
and the site of one of george washington's
greatest revolutionary victories. today, you can
VISIT THE SPOT WHERE HE CROSSED THE DELAWARE AND
tour the old barracks, used by soldiers in the
french and indian war. or, stroll through the
NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM AND ITS IMPRESSIVE ART
galleries.
4. THE DELAWARE REGION IS HOME TO MOST OF NEW
jersey's pine barrens, a million acres of
preserved forests and waterways. it is, in fact,
THE LARGEST WILDERNESS AREA EAST OF THE
mississippi.
5. VISIT THOMAS A. EDISON'S HOME AND
laboratories, where you will see some of his
greatest inventions. stop by a museum solely
DEDICATED TO THE HISTORY OF FLIGHT. KNOWN AS ONE
of the cultural capitals of the united states,
the gateway region is the home of people from
ALL OVER THE WORLD, WHOSE CULTURES MINGLE TO
produce a rich fabric of life. here, you'll find
theater, dance and the best in classical music.
INCLUDED IS NEW JERSEY'S STATE THEATER, THE
paper mill playhouse.
6. DIVERSITY CHARACTERIZES THE MANY PLAYTIME
activities you'll find in the gateway region,
plus being just minutes away from new york city.
IT HOUSES THE MEADOWLAND COMPLEX WITH ITS
colorful tapestry of sports and entertainment.
restaurants of all types for all tastes,
EXTENSIVE SHOPPING CENTERS WITH THE BEST OF
everything, and activities for children of all
ages round out a vivid, exciting region. this is
TRULY A GATEWAY TO MANY VACATION ALTERNATIVES.
that's why when people experience all the
gateway has to offer they keep coming back again
AND AGAIN.
7. mention the shore region, and certain images
IMMEDIATELY POP INTO YOUR HEAD: OVER 60 MILES OF
pristine beaches from sandy hook to holgate;
surf fishing off seaside park; perhaps some
BODYSURFING OFF BAY HEAD; OR MAYBE A MOONLIT
walk in surf city.
8. ON THE NORTHERN FRINGE OF THE GATEWAY
national recreation area at sandy hook stands
the nation's oldest operating beacon, the sandy
HOOK LIGHTHOUSE. SEVERAL MILES TO THE SOUTH ARE
the twin lights of navesink, the site of
marconi's first ship-to-shore broadcast. further
SOUTH IS BARNEGAT LIGHT; AFFECTIONATELY KNOW
locally as "old barney," built by civil war hero
george gordon meade in 1857. and now the newly
RECONSTRUCTED TUCKERS ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE IN THE
tuckerton seaport.
9. GENTLE MOUNTAINS, SKIING, ROCK CLIMBING, AND
horseback riding. can you really do all this
stuff in new jersey? yes you can - and more can
BE FOUND LESS THAN AN HOUR'S DRIVE FROM NEW YORK
city. the opportunities of the skylands region
have always been one of new jersey camping's
BEST-KEPT SECRETS.
10. if its amusement park that make you happy,
CHECK OUT MOUNTAIN CREEK IN VERNON. SOMEWHAT
more genteel diversions can be found during the
region's numerous winery festivals or at the
SUSSEX FARM AND HORSE SHOW IN AUGUST.
11. walk along 30 miles of wide sandy beaches,
EXPERIENCE THE WARMTH OF A VICTORIAN INN, TAKE A
stroll through history and enjoy the fresh
bounty of the sea at a gourmet restaurant.
12. all along the ocean, the beachfront towns of
the southern shore region offer great fishing,
BOATING, BEACHES AND WHALE-WATCHING CRUISES,
plus fine restaurants and accommodations - not
to mention the wonderful campgrounds in the
AREA, TO PITCH YOUR TENT OR SET UP YOUR RV. CAPE
may county boasts itself as one of the premium
camping areas of the country. it all adds up to
MARVELOUS FUN.
okay, so i lied.
i couldn't stop at 10 things, i had to give you
12!
in this article i just barely scratched the
surface of what new jersey has to offer and it
CAN ALL BE DONE FROM THE BACK OF YOUR RV OR THE
middle of your tent!
*about the author*
eric stephenson is an avid camper
and publisher of
HTTP://WWW.NJCAMPINGINFO.COM. GET
all the information you will ever
need about camping in new jersey
AS WELL AS INFORMATION ABOUT
camping and the latest
technologies and products related
TO CAMPING. THIS ARTICLE IS
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LEFT INTACT.
_this article was posted on september 29, 2009_
