Camping in the Garden State remains popular this year, New Jersey Campground Owners & Outdoor Lodging Association Executive Director Joann Delvescio said.
The trend that began in the initial stage of the pandemic is not ceasing to exist any time soon, with the state DEP reporting 164,472 visitors staying at New Jersey campsites last year, an increase versus 2019’s 161,006.
“People love sitting around the campfire at night, making s’mores, looking up with the stars, just sitting around and chatting with friends and family,” Delvescio said.
She also noted that seasonal campers are on the rise, with campers choosing to extend their campcations for a couple of days to a week or weeks at a time.
NJCOA President Anita Pfefferkorn, who owns Indian Rock RV Park & Campground, echoed Delvescio’s observation. She said most who camp for extended periods use the campground as a home base for day trips. With this, the 2022 season has been the busiest she’s seen in the last seven years.
“I’m so happy to see camping have such a resurgence in recent years,” she said.
New Jersey features a large selection of privately owned campgrounds, state park campgrounds, and more, with many sites to choose from and each with unique amenities.
Visitors can choose to stay in whichever way they prefer, from tent camping to RV camping, to renting a cabin and more.
This story originally appeared on NJ.com.
Absolutely incredible to see how New Jersey’s campgrounds are experiencing record-breaking seasons? I’m overjoyed about the surge in camping interest, and it’s fantastic to hear about the variety of activities and eco-friendly initiatives being offered. It’s genuinely uplifting to see how campgrounds are working to provide unforgettable outdoor experiences while preserving New Jersey’s natural beauty.