THIS SEASIDE VILLAGE OFFERS A SUMMER STAY like no other ON THE JERSEY SHORE

EACH SUMMER, VISITORS FLOCK TO OCEAN GROVE TO BASK IN THE SUN, HIT THE WATER, AND UNWIND IN ONE OF THE TOWN'S CHARMING HOTELS OR BEACHSIDE AIRBNBS. BUT FOR A SELECT FEW, THE ULTIMATE SUMMER ESCAPE MEANS SOMETHING ENTIRELY DIFFERENT: LIVING IN A TENT.

- By Kendal Nicole Lambert

Ocean Grove's historic tent village becomes a lively, welcoming neighborhood from May through September, adding to the town’s close-knit feel and reminding everyone of its deep roots. Rows of canvas tents adorned with cheerful striped awnings, overflowing flower boxes, and front porches with rocking chairs line the streets. It's more than a place to stay — it's a lifestyle steeped in tradition and community.

“The tent community isn’t just visually iconic, it's part of what makes Ocean Grove feel like stepping into a simpler, slower-paced world, which is exactly what so many people come here to experience,” said Jessie Thompson, executive director of the Ocean Grove Area Chamber of Commerce.

The tent community is a distinctive and beloved part of Ocean Grove, adding to the character and charm of the summer season. For generations, these dwellings have evoked a deep sense of nostalgia.

ACRED BEGINNINGS BY THE SEA

In 1870, a group of about 20 Methodist laymen and ministers set out to find a quiet, mosquito-free stretch of the Jersey Shore where they could gather in peace. After exploring various locations, they settled on Ocean Grove. Their vision was rooted in the belief that faith and leisure could coexist.

This early gathering was intended to foster community and ignite passion for the Lord. With no inns or lodging available, they used leftover tents from the Civil War on 30-by-60-foot lots.

The group eventually organized into the Camp Meeting Association, which owns and operates Ocean Grove, preserving its religious roots and overseeing many of its historic foundations. At one point, there were as many as 800 tents, as people would come in from all over the country for the Camp Meeting's religious services.

While the town was once made up entirely of Methodists, today it draws people from many different backgrounds who come to share in a season of worship and seaside living.