Discover Camp Crystal Lake: the real-life set of Friday the 13th

Explore filming locations from one of the most iconic slasher movies of all time.

The name ‘Camp Crystal Lake’ is seared into the hearts and minds of even the most casual viewers of the classic horror flick Friday the 13th.

The unsettling setting where deranged killer Jason Voorhees carried out his ghastly deeds is a real-life (and much less terrifying) place in New Jersey known as Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco. Started in 1927, it’s still an active Boy Scout camp. While closed to the public, tours are periodically offered

This post digs into the real-life Camp Crystal Lake filming location, sharing about the history and showcasing the key spots that bring terror to life. 

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History of Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco, the Real-Life Camp Crystal Lake

The real-life Camp Crystal Lake is a Boy Scout camp founded in 1927. Located in the New Jersey wilderness, it proved perfect for filmmakers scouting talent in New York City.

The camp’s Native American-inspired name is short for North Bergen Boy Scouts, and it has served generations of Scouts with its focus on outdoor education, leadership training, and community-building activities.

The camp’s history took a dramatic turn in 1979 when it was selected as the primary filming location for the low-budget horror film Friday the 13th. Independent films were uncommon then, so the directors had to get creative in scouting locations for their horror flick. The camp’s proximity to New York City and wild setting made it a natural choice.

Friday the 13th would go on to become a legend in the slasher genre, cementing unsettling images of Camp Crystal Lake into the hearts of millions. 

Photo Credit: Justin Campbell via Unsplash

The Making of Friday the 13th at Camp Crystal Lake

Released in 1980, Friday the 13th tells the story of a group of camp counselors who are stalked and murdered at Camp Crystal Lake. Filmmakers brilliantly transformed an idyllic setting into a terrifying place through spine-rattling suspense, slashy special effects, and good ol’ fashioned fear. 

The transformation of Camp Crystal Lake into a cinematic nightmare was achieved with minimal set alterations, relying heavily on the natural beauty and isolation to build suspense. The film’s modest $550,000 budget forced filmmakers to lean into the camp’s natural landscape, keeping the eerie, backwoods atmosphere intact.

Filming Locations at Camp

Many iconic scenes were filmed at recognizable spots within Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco. For example, the waters where many of the counselors meet their doom are the camp’s main lake. 

The cabins and mess hall were featured prominently, requiring little more than rearranging furniture to give the illusion of a working summer camp on the brink of horror.

One of the most memorable scenes, the final confrontation between Alice and Jason’s mother, was filmed near the camp’s boathouse, a location that fans will recognize immediately. 

Although Friday the 13th wasn’t initially expected to become a hit, it grossed nearly $60 million worldwide and spawned numerous sequels, launching the real-life Camp Crystal Lake into horror movie history. 

Visiting Camp Crystal Lake: What to Expect

The real-life Camp Crystal Lake (Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco) remains an active Boy Scout camp, which means access is strictly controlled, and the public cannot casually visit or wander around the site. 

That said, the camp periodically offers guided tours for fans of the Friday the 13th franchise. Known as Crystal Lake Tours, these have become bucket list events for horror aficionados. 

The tours offer guided walks through the camp, including stops at the lakefront, cabins, and other notable sites featured in the original movie. Flashlight tours happen too, along with activities like canoeing, archery, and Q&A sessions. You can even enjoy provided meals in Camp Crystal Lake’s infamous dining hall. Some tour dates even include special guests such as actors from the film, filmmakers, and horror historians. 

Camp Crystal Lake tours sell out quickly, so snag your spot early. See the schedule and buy tickets here

Photo credit: https://crystallaketours.com/

Key Locations at the Real-Life Camp Crystal Lake

Fans of Friday the 13th will recognize iconic spots from the movie at Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco. These locations have mainly remained similar since the filming in 1979, making them the perfect backdrop for horror nostalgia. 

1. The Camp Crystal Lake Dock

One of the most recognizable spots is the dock on the lake. Located on the edge of the camp’s serene lake, the dock is where several counselors meet their untimely demise. 

2. The Cabins

Several of the camp’s rustic cabins were used as filming locations, including where one of the most memorable murders occurs, the gruesome fate of Kevin Bacon’s character, Jack. 

On Crystal Lake Tours, fans can walk inside cabins where these horrifying moments occurred. These places remain largely as they appeared in the film, allowing for an eerily similar backdrop. 

3. The Boathouse

The boathouse is another terrifying location in Friday the 13th. This small structure is situated near the lake, and it is here that Alice battles Jason’s mother in an intense fight for survival. 

Visitors today can stand near the boathouse and imagine the adrenaline-pumping final moments of the film unfolding.

4. The Mess Hall

One of the central gathering places in the movie is the camp’s mess hall. In the film, it serves as the backdrop for conversations among the counselors and as the site where they begin to realize something is wrong. 

Today, tourgoers can enjoy a meal in the same space that set the stage for the impending horror.

5. The Archery Range

In one of the film’s earlier shocking moments, a counselor named Brenda is attacked at the camp’s archery range. This scene has become a fan favorite due to the shocking and unexpected use of the archery equipment as a weapon. 

The archery range still exists today at the real-life Camp Crystal Lake, and visitors can visit the exact spot where the chilling scene was filmed. 

6. The Entrance to Camp Crystal Lake

The camp’s main entrance, marked by the “Camp Crystal Lake” sign, has become one of the most iconic images associated with the movie. While the original wooden sign used in the film is no longer there, tourgoers can still visit the entrance where the sign once stood. 

If you go, take the opportunity to recreate the movie’s opening moments by snapping photos in front of the gates.

P.S. There’s even an online souvenir shop to find iconic items like the counselor’s yellow raincoats, camp patches, and more. 

Photo credit: https://crystallaketours.com/

Staying in the Area

If you plan to visit Camp Crystal Lake for a tour, you’ll likely spend some time in the nearby town of Blairstown, New Jersey. This small town, with a population of around 5,000, was another key filming location for Friday the 13th. Fans will recognize Blairstown’s Main Street and the Blairstown Diner from the film.

Several local businesses have leaned into the Friday the 13th tourism buzz by offering themed events and merchandise. A few local spots even host movie screenings and other activities to coincide with the camp tours, making it a full-fledged experience for fans.


Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco may be a Boy Scout camp by day, but its status as the infamous Camp Crystal Lake lives on in horror lore. The Friday the 13th franchise has secured the camp’s place in pop culture history, transforming it into a pilgrimage site for fans of the macabre. 

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