Jenny Jump!! What a cool place to camp. The staff is very friendly and makes you feel like you have known each other forever. The cabins are cool and nicely spaced apart. We had nice walks in the area. Can't wait to go back read more

I think this place is great! Strangely being from northern NYS where most Jeresy folk head to for great day hikes, I find myself going South for some of the best camp spots in the state of Jersey! NYS doesn't have a centralized booking system for campsites like NJ does which makes the, booking, experience so much easier especially for noobs like me. I visited the group camping site at this state park for a large meetup family group camping trip. I passed several solo camp sites down the road leading up to the group camp site and all the sites seemed to be situated nicely along the road side. Working facilities are near the individual camp sites but for the group sites you get the good 'ol fashion out house which I wasn't a fan of but managed to drop it like it's hot as needed right down into the abyss of a hole for the toilet. No showers or working facilities near the group site but you can drive over to one for a hot shower. The best part of this state park is the absolutely awesome astronomy club that has an observatory you can visit and use the super expensive telescopes to see other planets with the guide of an astronomer. The staff at the astronomy club are all eager and delighted to answer questions to all who are curious. Peering through a telescope to see the rings of Saturn is absolutely awesome! If interested the observatory is located within a stones throw from the main park entrance at 333 State Park Road, Great Meadows, NJ 07838. The observatory is free to visit but they do have donation bins there to help support their projects and facility. While this state park doesn't have as many camp sites as other locations I've visited, the astronomy club makes this place an epic visit! read more

Jenny Jump State Forest - Hiking Near Me - Hope, New Jersey

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Great campsite that's open through all seasons. As you arrive at the campsite office (which is centrally located) you are reminded of camping safety (bears...oh my), car limit per site (I believe it is 2 cars), and given the location of your site for the weekend (in my group's case). Once we arrived at are site we had bench seating and table, a fire pit, and ample space for our 4 tents. Beyond the actual site we took a look at the multiple hiking trails and settled on a shorter trail which reminded me of how out of shape I am! There were other trails available to fill an entire day but we took baby steps lol. The trails were clearly marked and easy to follow and ours ended with a beautiful view. We also discovered cabins that we'll use as an option for future camping events. Overall a great site and looking forward to going again soon! read more

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Beautiful location with a multitude of trails for what you are looking for. Elevation and beautiful views are present along with tent camping, cabin camping and local events. BEWARE OF THE MOSQUITOES Seriously there are so many. Bring bug spray or your patience. Due to the constant rain in New Jersey, mosquitos are out in droves. There is no public bathrooms in the ranger station- finding the hiking trails from the Ranger Station is a little confusing but the rangers are very helpful and there are plenty of maps available. read more

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This is one of our favorite campgrounds. My husband has been coming here since he was a child with his friend and we now come at least once a year with a large group of friends. But we are more likely here 3 or 4 times a year. We've camped in tents and shelters and it's always a great experience. The park workers are always very nice to interact with. Bathrooms are clean and sites feel private. Shelters stay warm as long as you know how to feed the fire and how to not over feed the fire. We usually cook for the large groups but the nearby restaurants are great options if you don't feel confident that you can store your food to keep the bears away! We haven't ever come across any bears. Sharing some pics of our many trips over the years read more

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Over 4,000 acres of very enjoyable forest with a moderate number of sites. Situated easily off of I-80, this has become a go-to campground for friends and me as we try to pick someplace enjoyable and relatively central for the northeast. Proximate to the picturesque Hope/Warren/Liberty area of central New Jersey, the rolling hills, lush meadows, and fauna are a pleasure to escape to. Hiking trails are mostly good for pleasant outdoor walks - there is some elevation change throughout, but no active climbing. Multiple lakes and streams allow seasonal fishing for largemouth bass, sunfish, catfish, and trout. Very special here is an astronomical observatory with powerful telescopes, a small information center, and talks given by local astronomers that can be fascinating for both avid enthusiasts and those with a passing interest. Check ahead for schedule of speaking events and observations, or bring your own telescope for excellent viewing from the observatory's grounds. One drawback that my group has learned to live with is the dull hum of automobiles on I-80, some 2-3 miles distant; it's not loud, per se, but nor is it non-existent, as may be a requirement for some campers and hikers seeking silence, interrupted only by the sounds of birds or crickets chirping and animals rustling through the underbrush. Campsite rentals are available 4/1 through 10/31, run $20/night, and include a fire pit with grate, a picnic table, and an anti-tampering hook at each site. A variety of styles are available for tents and trailers, from directly off the main access drive to more removed. Basic restroom/shower facilities are available sporadically throughout the grounds. Group campsites and shelters are also available, though I've never tried them out - they seem commodious. The park office houses some fun local nature information and visuals, as well as local dried firewood for sale ($7 for a relatively generous pack). Booking requires seemingly a lot of information be given, but is generally hassle-free and flexible. No pets or alcohol. My favorite sites are 22 and 23 for their elevation, layout, and proximity to facilities and walking trails. Overall, Jenny Jump is an enjoyable camping spot with a lot to recommend it. read more

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Great trails and views at Jenny Jump State Park. Hiking, camping and a cute little privately owned Alpaca Ranch at the base. Our personal favorite is the Jenny Jump Trail which is 8 miles moderate experience level. Rocky at times with great views. read more

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If you like hiking it's one of the better places to go in the area if you don't want to drive 45 minutes away

This place is pretty awesome. One there are a lot of trails to high Two the bathrooms are pretty nice, pooping in the woods is always on the back of everyone's mind. Three the rangers are pretty cool. Some rangers are not that nice, but the ones here have always been pleasant. Four the observatory you can go to Friday night is awesome, and free. What more can you ask for that isn't a motel room. read more

My friends and I had a great time this weekend camping in one of the cabins! We did have trouble finding information about what the cabins were like and could not find any photos so for those of you wondering I will post them. Also for fishing don't plan on catching much at all past May at ghost lake. We caught bluegill down at lake Just-it in the area of the water closest to the main road and the private residence. Just bring a can of corn for bait! We chose cabin #5 because it seemed the most secluded. The bathroom area was ~5 minute walk. The drinking water provided tastes like metal pipes so it's a good idea to bring lots of water. There is one shower per bathroom with neutral temperature water. Also make sure to have lanterns and flashlights as there is no power. read more

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Me and my boyfriend has an amazing time tent camping here! Our campsite was very nice and cozy and the bathhouse was clean. We loved hiking the trails! I would recommend visiting this park. read more

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Nice spot to hike. 1) The hike is very easy. 2) Come here for trail running. 3) There are views, lakes, and small cave(s). read more

Jenny Jump State Forest - Hiking Near Me - Hope, New Jersey

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Super clean, all of the workers are very helpful and friendly! Bathrooms cleaned very well. Good firepit, hook for lantern. Peaceful with great views. read more

Campsite was nice and we had a great hike. Sadly we started cooking dinner at 5:30 and a huge black bear came to join us. We ran into our car and called the state forest police. They came about 45 min later and were not very sympathetic. We packed up our camp and high tailed it back to Brooklyn :-( read more

Jenny Jump State Forest - Hiking Near Me - Hope, New Jersey

We were here on Monday and Tuesday nights - the place was virtually empty and we had our pick of sites. We were across and down a bit from one of the bathrooms. Speaking of, the facilities are very clean. There is a nice large shower, 2 sinks and 2 drop johns which were fine. The site itself was very nice and under a beautiful canopy of trees. It was large and flat, there is a fire pit, a picnic table and a rod for hanging a lantern. The people who work in the office were friendly and helpful. You are not allowed to bring wood from home so be prepared to buy it there. It is $6 a bag and there are several pieces which got us through both days. There were mosquitos, but we faired well with citronella candles. We didn't see any bears, but a father and son team left their cooler out and a bear came in the AM and took their butter and then came back for the bacon. There are plenty of warnings about bears and specifically about their attraction to coolers which are not air tight, but you have to heed those warnings or are at risk. Keep your site clean and your food in your vehicle and you will be fine. The trails are nice and well maintained. Ghost Lake is a nice hike, but the lake is mostly lily pads. We had a great time and enjoyed the Jenny Jump campground. read more

Through the NJ Park Department, I think this is the only park that is open for winter camping. During this time, you can only camp at the shelters, but you should call them mini-cabins. They are awesome and home-like. You can drive your 1 or 2 cars right to your campsite (additional cars are $5). They have a picnic table, firepit for grilling, and a garbage hanger outside. The shelter has a nice big porch which would be awesome in the summer. Inside, there is a table and two benches that seat four. Two double bunk beds that sleep 4 as well. You can get 6 into the cabin though so bring your own cots or ground mats. The wood burning stove inside keeps the cabin nice and warm after you start your fire (we were in pajamas when the temperature outside was 20 F). They even had shelves to put all of our food onto, like a cupboard.It really feels like home in there which is something I was not expecting from a state park. Other stuff: There are a lot of manageable and short hiking trails that are right from the campsite. The trails are nicely marked and worth doing. The camp ranger sells firewood for $7 a bag. I did see someone selling firewood 3 logs for $1 before entering camp which is a better deal. GPS Warning: Put in the address of Jenny Jump State Park, do not ask Google to take you there. Google will be wrong. Or, follow the directions printed on your reservation. read more

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There is a lot to like about the campground at Jenny Jump State Park. The staff at the park office is incredibly helpful and will really do anything possible to improve your experience. The grounds are well-kept, there is an observatory, and a local astronomy club does programs on Friday nights. The park is patrolled by police who enforce policy and laws in a way that is completely heavy-handed, so I'm only giving the campground two stars. Police officers woke me up at 4am yelling and directing their headlights and flashlights into our tent, asking for proof that we'd paid for the site. The officers pointed their flashlights straight into my eyes for the entire ten minute encounter, interrogating me, making my retell my story three or four times (we'd moved sites at 10pm because there was a bear in the one we registered for). I showed them my permit and registration information from my email, but they continued to admonish me for several minutes for moving... all of this at 4am with a super bright lights shining in my face. This made me feel way less safe in the park, and I wouldn't suggest calling the police unless you are in immediate danger. They seem inclined to make a bad situation worse. About two hours before the police showed up, a huge party (15 to 20 people) was raging across the campground, and our fellow campers had been drinking and partying for hours, even though alcohol isn't allowed in this park and quiet hours begin at 10pm. It's possible the police got a call and came out to handle the situation, but they were about five hours late, harassed the wrong people and did a terrible job. This seems common at Jenny Jump; I've camped there three or four times and there tend to be loud parties and big groups at sites 30-33 late into the night, so avoid those of you want to get some rest. I believe the park staff are dedicated to their jobs and do their very best to collaborate with the police and enforce policy, but I wish the police, as civil servants, were actually committed to keeping the peace (and being civil about it) instead of making trouble. read more

I camped here at the end of August and overall, had a good time. I didn't like how there was no general store nearby in case you forgot to bring something from home. The great parts about camping there was that they provide a big fire pit and a large table for your stuff. The campsite is isolated in the sense that you're not sharing the site with other people. However, if there are other campers nearby they wouldn't be too far away. When I went no one else was there which made me feel a little uneasy. Finally, I thought the bathrooms were clean and functional. I would probably go there again, but only during the busiest season because I like being near other people when I camp. read more

The camp sites ok, we booked #30, it was much closer to the bathroom than we'd expected. I would recommend these other sites as they are still close to bathroom but a little more private, #26-28, #32-34 is ok too. There is no flushing toilet, only 2 toilets and 1 shower in women's bathroom, 1 toilet, 1 urinal and 1 shower in the mens room. 1 shower is totally not enough!! The #30-33 camp sites are really close to each other. read more

OK as public campgrounds go. Nice spacing between sites so you aren't right on top of your neighbors. Have to walk a bit to some sites which helps cut down on yahoos near you. Cabins are small, rustic, but clean. read more

Jenny Jump Park is a great get away for any occasion. I just got back from spending a couple of days with my sons at one of the Shelters. We had an AMAZING time!! Going back for sure.. if you don't mind roughing it with no electricity.. this is the place for you. The Stove/ Fireplace inside the cabins is such a great touch!! Alex at the office was literally one of the sweetest human beings I have come across. Super helpful and kind. Thank you for a nice time Jenny Jump State Park! read more

Looks nice. GPS sent us to someones house. By the time we actually found the real entrance it was too late to start a hike. I'll be back!

I created a small blog with pictures and video that may be of help: https://shividhi.blogspot.com/2018/06/first-time-camping-jenny-jump.html

The campground itself is great and is quite pretty. The reason I am leaving a 2-star review is due to the disorganization on hiking and campground maps. Hiking is one of my favorite parts of camping, and I was looking forward to doing the Jenny Jump Trail which can be seen on the maps online as being ~8.5 miles. When you get a trail map from the front office however, they inform you that half of the trail is unmaintained. So we decided to just do the first half. There is so little detail on the trail map and the trail is so poorly (and incorrectly) marked that the trail markings led us to dead ends on two occasions, causing us to have to hike back. Additionally, when we were trying to gauge where to turn off to get to the parking lot by the road, there is NO marking of where the turn off is, and you have to hike through what is essentially a mud swamp field for a quarter mile to get to the parking lot. Trail distances were not accurately portrayed in relation to the nearby roads (as we could tell from our GPS). The 3.5 mile trail ended up being closer to 5.5 miles. We were not impressed. On the campground maps, there are separate symbols for restrooms and showers and none of the shower symbols are on the map, leading you to believe that there are no showers in the campground. That is a minor complaint next to the hiking, however. read more

Place is great for a weekend or a few days getaway. I highly recommend site #26, great sunset, big spot. They sell kiln-dried fire wood logs in the office - very worth the 7 bucks. Clean showers and bathrooms. Trails are nice and easy with great views. read more

Camped here for Memorial Day weekend at site 33. Sites 30-33 are close together. They would be good to book if you have a group of several families together or if you want to be near other campers. The sites are big and you don't feel cramped. The other sites are more private but definitely set in the woods. Site 33 is right across from the bathrooms but not so close that it's a problem. The toilets are composting toilets but did not smell at all. There was no shower in the women's room near us but there was one in the men's and also a women's one at another bathroom site. They provide a picnic table and a fire ring with a rudimentary grill top. Be very careful with your food and trash though. We saw two bears stealing food from the campsite next to us and there were several other reports of bear activity. Even with that we had a great time and would probably go back again. The office sold wood but other than that you should bring everything you need. read more

Last minute trip and the first night we had to sleep in a Walmart parking lot until we drove to Jenny Jump. We only had a tent but Ranger Mat came to our rescue. Helped us find a site also delivered wood and checked on us several times. Very beautiful place to hike and 5 stars to Matt and the park police for the great customer service. Suzi Taylor and family read more