Renting an RV in New Jersey

History runs deep in New Jersey. While the state offers plenty to do in the way of state parks and outdoor recreation, what might be the most special aspect of the Garden State for visitors is its many historical sites within such close distance.

In New Jersey, you can make an entire vacation out of a road trip connecting important sites like Liberty State Park, the Princeton Battlefield, Paterson, and Barnegat Lighthouse. Or, you can take the RV down to the Delaware Water Gap for an all-in-one outdoor vacation you’ll never forget. In New Jersey, your RV trip is whatever you make it.

Why Renting an RV in New Jersey Is the Way to Go

Around every corner in New Jersey is another gem waiting to be discovered. Huge recreational areas like the Delaware Water Gap offer an endless supply of summer fun on the water, while history nuts can always build their own road trip around museums and Revolutionary War battlefields.
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The key to either approach is mobility. Especially if the outdoors are high on your priority list, there’s no better way to see all that New Jersey has to offer than behind the wheel of an RV rental.

10 Historical Places to See in New Jersey in Your Rental RV

As one of the original 13 states, there’s no place in New Jersey that isn’t historical somehow. Old lighthouses tell stories of the very first European visitors to see the shores of the New World. Remarkable waterfalls worthy of attention in their own right serve as the center of historical planned industrial cities.

Whether you’re looking for a history lesson or just a getaway in the great outdoors, you’re in good company as long as you’re in New Jersey.

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park

On the tip of Long Beach Island, Barnegat Lighthouse stands 172 feet above the sea, a shining beacon to sailors making the trip to New York City along the Jersey coast. Shoals and rapid currents made this stretch of the voyage particularly difficult, and “Old Barney” served a critical role keeping ships safe and afloat. While the lighthouse originally operated from 1859 to 1927, today the lens inside has been restored and the facility has been opened to visitors as the centerpiece of Barnegat Lighthouse State Park.

In addition to the great views offered at the top of the lighthouse, the park also houses an interpretive history center where you can learn more about the history of sailing and lighthouses in the area. There’s good fishing to be had from shore, especially in the fall, and hiking trails through one of New Jersey’s last remaining maritime forests. Stay at nearby Long Beach RV Resort & Campground to make a whole day out of this destination.

Learn more about Barnegat Lighthouse State Park.

Liberty State Park

How many state parks are defined by their breathtaking city skyline views? At Liberty State Park, you’ll enjoy all the attractions you’d expect from a state park, all set under the gaze of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline. Go for a hike, catch a glimpse of waterfowl, cast a line for fish and blue crabs, or rent a kayak to take out into the Hudson. Visit the on-site science center or interpretive history center, or catch a ferry direct from the park to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

Not only is this park just across the river from NYC but is itself located within the metropolitan sprawl of North New Jersey. For that reason, it’s a very accessible destination, with plenty of RV parks to choose from just a short drive away. With the multiple museums, ferries to historic islands, and other nature activities available, you’ll want to plan for a few days at Liberty State Park.

Learn more about Liberty State Park

Paterson Great Falls

In 1792 when America was still new for Europeans, Paterson, New Jersey was envisioned by Alexander Hamilton as the first planned industrial city for the nation. The great falls themselves were to serve as the cornerstone of the city, where great industrial mills would make use of the falls’ waterpower to sprout bustling businesses in textiles, railroad engineering, and more. Today, self-guided tours of Paterson Great Falls Natural Historical Park take you around the falls, and the historic mills are still located around it. Guided tours are also available to give you an introduction to the history of the area.

For those RV campers looking for a rustic place to call home while in the Paterson Great Falls area, Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort is a family-friendly destination complete with swimming and plenty of hands-on agrarian activities perfect for kids, like horse-drawn carriage rides and a petting zoo. Alternately, if your RV trip through New Jersey will take you closer to New York City, the Liberty Harbor RV Park offers a more urban camping experience.

Learn more about Paterson Great Falls.

Island Beach State Park

When Henry Hudson first observed the New Jersey coast from his ship, the Half Moon, in 1609, he saw a landscape defined by long stretches of barrier islands creating bays and inlets all along the seashore. Much of that area has since been developed, but Island Beach State Park remains much the same as it was over 400 years ago with its 10 miles of untouched beach and 3,000 acres of wilderness. Today, visitors come here to enjoy everything the Atlantic has to offer, from fishing to boating and scuba diving. As a barrier island, this park also offers some great surfing.

There is no camping available within the park, but it is conveniently located adjacent to Barnegat Bay. That puts this destination close to the nearby Barnegat Lighthouse, and also the RV-friendly Long Beach RV Resort and campground. If you’re traveling by RV to enjoy New Jersey’s beautiful coastline, this stop is an absolute must.

Learn more about Island Beach State Park.

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Where glaciers once tore up the earth, the Delaware River carves its way through 67,000 acres of forested mountains, floodplains, and caves. At the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, nature enthusiasts have access to some of the most beautiful nature on the East Coast. There, you can hike, wade through streams teeming with trout, mountain bike, and explore historical buildings left behind by native peoples and European settlers. With 27 miles of the Appalachian Trail right inside the park, this is a destination you can turn into a complete vacation.

Going to the Delaware Water Gap by RV is the absolute best way to enjoy the area. In addition to all the fun on the ground, the area is famous for its scenic byways and breathtaking mountain views. Dingmans Campground in the park is open from April to October and features 133 campsites in the woods and on the river’s edge. Many of these campsites offer water and electric hookups, so bring the whole family, set up camp, and explore this remarkable part of New Jersey.

Learn more about the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

Princeton Battlefield State Park

History buffs won’t want to miss a trip to Princeton Battlefield State Park on any RV tour of New Jersey. There, General George Washington secured his first victory against the British Regulars in what is widely regarded to be the largest battle of its type in the Revolutionary War. Today, the state park stands witness with the Clarke House Museum, as well as the famous Mercer Oak that still stands in the open field where battle once raged.

Located just 1.5 miles from Princeton University, the park has many nearby amenities and RV-friendly campgrounds for a stopover before or after your tour of the grounds. Cherris Camp Reservation in Princeton is your closest option, with other sites like Indian Rock RV Park & Campground and Crystal Springs Wilderness Lodges & RV Resort mere miles away.

Learn more about Princeton Battlefield State Park.

South Mountain Reservation

Nestled in the Watchung Mountains, South Mountain Reservation is an over 2,000-acre recreation area spanning Maplewood, Millburn, and West Orange, New Jersey. Inside the reservation, miles of hiking trails take visitors through old-growth forests to views of the first and second ridges of the Watchung—named by the area’s Lenape Indians in their tongue as the “high hills.”

Come for the hiking and also plenty of good fishing and stay for the dog park perfect for families taking along four-legged friends on an RV trip. The park sits just east of Newark, which puts you in arm’s length of several RV-friendly campgrounds while in the area.

Learn more about South Mountain Reservation.

8. Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge

The 47,000 acres of New Jersey coastal habitats that make up Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge are a carefully maintained destination for anybody with a passion for the plants and animals that share our land. The main focus of the refuge is to preserve water-bird habitats, as it’s located along with one of the most active flight paths on the Atlantic seaboard. Visitors can hike the refuge trails to catch a glimpse of herons, egrets, owls, and earthbound critters like turtles and fiddler crabs. The park is open year-round and the wildlife on display changes with each season, so be sure to read up on what you can expect to find during your visit.

In addition to wildlife viewing, the refuge is a great place for photography, fishing, and hunting with a special license. As a wildlife preserve, the area isn’t designed for camping. Look to one of the many RV-friendly campgrounds in the area if you’re planning to stay, including Atlantic Blueberry RV Park and Pomona RV Park & Campground.

Learn more about Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.

Cape May Point State Park

The Cape May Point State Park features a constantly changing shoreline and dunes. This vibrant and versatile area has coastal marshes and ponds, forested islands, and is one of the best places to see migratory birds in the state. Located on the southern tip of New Jersey, the Cape May Point State Park is a great place to visit in your rented RV.

The park is an important stop along the Heritage Trail with an environmental center providing educational information and classes as well as a museum. There’s also the Cape May Lighthouse, which is a major attraction for many of the visitors to the park. While there is no camping in the park, there are campgrounds not too far off, so that makes this unique park a great place for you to go for a day-trip.

Learn more about Cape May Point State Park

Allaire State Park

Allaire State Park is built around Allaire Village, an iron-making town dating to the 19th Century. Historic buildings still stand, including a museum in one of the area’s original rowhouses, to give visitors a look at the iron industry of 1800s New Jersey. Today, the park offers more than just history, with miles of trails perfect for mountain biking and hiking. There’s a nature interpretive center with a focus on the park’s wildlife, and the Manasquan River is a major destination for fishermen and canoeists. The river is stocked with trout annually. There is also deer hunting to be had on the grounds with a state license.

This park is very RV-friendly, with 45 sites capable of hosting your rented mobile home. There are no hookups, but restroom and shower facilities are centrally located within the campgrounds.

Learn more about Allaire State Park.

Campgrounds and RV Parks in New Jersey

There’s nowhere in New Jersey where you’ll be far from great RV camping. The state boasts plenty of resorts and RV-friendly campgrounds to fit any vacation. Most will be collected around the destinations that are commonly traveled to, but there are plenty throughout the state.

The Depot Travel Park in West Cape May, New Jersey, is one place worth staying. Just a short stroll away from Cape May’s excellent beaches, The Depot has 150 available spaces with electric and water hookups available. There’s free Wi-Fi throughout the park and on-site laundry facilities for guests.

Liberty Harbor Marina & RV Park in Jersey City, New Jersey, is another. Where else can you enjoy camping with your RV and the New York City Skyline? Liberty Harbor is the closest RV park to NYC, with nearby subway stops and a ferry across to the city leaving straight from the park. Cheap overnight stays in the city don’t get much better than this.

Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort in Sussex, New Jersey, is a third place that you may want to stay at if you’re looking for a good spot. Far from an urban destination, Pleasant Acres Farm is exactly that—an actual working farm and RV park in one. Bring the family to this unique resort for hayrides, baby animal petting, and an agrarian atmosphere with the convenience and comfort of your rented RV.

If you’re looking for a good campground in a specific area of the state, check out Good Sam’s list of campgrounds.

Things to Note About Camping in New Jersey

Like many states across the US, public campgrounds in New Jersey don’t allow alcohol. That said, many of the privately-owned campgrounds and RV parks do.

As you’re planning your RV trip across New Jersey—whether you’re heading down to the Jersey Shore for a relaxing beach vacation or keeping inland for views of the Manhattan skyline—think about your planned recreational activities and how you’d like to wind down at the end of the day.

If you are a vacationer that enjoys an adult beverage on your vacations, keep an eye out for New Jersey’s wineries and breweries as a fun stop along the way to your camping destinations.

Dry Camping or Boondocking in New Jersey

New Jersey isn’t the easiest state in the country to boondock in, but it can be done as long as you’re willing to reach out to people in advance and ask permission to dry camp on their land.

The RV community lifts up county parks located throughout Jersey as a good option for anybody looking for free camping. Your best bet, though? Parking lots at truck stops, large retail stores, and other places with plenty of space to fit your RV—as long as you ask first.