New Jersey’s reputation may very well precede it thanks to things like mob mythology and mega malls that create some seriously mega traffic jams (it’s all true). And there's the famous yet sometimes infamous Jersey Shore and Atlantic City with its casinos and boardwalk. (New York City is around here too.) Say what you will about the Garden State, but I’m here to remind you that it was given that superlative for a very good reason, and as with any destination, there’s more to a place than meets the eye. Including, we might add, a small handful of worthy glamping experiences aka luxury camping.
As a born and bred New Jerseyan—some might call me a Jersey Girl, and no I did not pump my own gas for far too many years—I know for sure that this small state is good at packing a lot into a relatively tiny area, be it people, highways, but also outdoor recreation. From top to bottom, New Jersey has pockets and even large swaths of natural beauty that run the gamut from the forests and wetlands of the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve to the estuaries and beaches that run all the way down to Wildwood and Cape May. There are lakes and rivers for kayaking, country roads for biking, loads of hiking trails, surfing beaches, and humble mountains capable of delivering panoramic views.
New Jersey’s selection of glampsites might not be as big and impressive as other states like California or Texas, but there are still ways to enjoy a night under the stars while sleeping on a good, king bed—even if they are in an established campground. Whether you’re looking for pine forests or beachfront abodes, these are the best places to go glamping in New Jersey.