Round Valley Recreation Area offers wilderness camping opportunities on the shores of a 2,350-acre reservoir. Located near Annandale, the primitive campsites require either a 3-6 mile hike or boat access to reach. Campsites rest along the southeastern section of the reservoir where the water reaches depths of 180 feet. Terrain throughout the region varies from wooded forests to open grasslands with elevations ranging from 400-1,200 feet above sea level.
What to do
Night sky observation: At Round Valley State Park Campground, campers can experience stargazing opportunities thanks to minimal light pollution. One visitor notes, "Beautiful peaceful and primitive. The reservoir can turn into the Bermuda Triangle at any moment-- be careful" while another highlights "The view was KILLER."
Visit wolf preserve: Camp Taylor Campground offers direct access to the Lakota Wolf Preserve. A camper explains, "You can take a short hike up the mountain there to see the wolves in the sanctuary. There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance." Tours leave twice daily on weekends.
Geological exploration: Visit the unique geological formation at Ringing Rocks Family Campground, where rocks make a metallic sound when struck. As one visitor advises, "Bring a hammer" to experience this natural phenomenon. The nearby county park features the same unusual rock formations.
What campers like
Waterfront access: At Driftstone Campground, campers appreciate the direct river access. "Driftstone is set on a beautiful location on the Delaware River. River Road on which it is located, is picturesque and quiet enough to run, walk or bike on," explains one visitor. The campground also offers boat rentals and a dedicated boat ramp for small watercraft.
Privacy between sites: Many visitors value the site layout at Mountainview Campground. One camper describes it as "Very wooded. Some sites are more private than others but all have a wooded and private feel." The campground features both open field and wooded sites.
Water filtration options: For campers staying at primitive sites, consider bringing filtration systems. One camper at Round Valley explains, "There's bathrooms and pumps but we just filtered the water from the reservoir instead which tasted a million times better than the well water."
What you should know
Terrain challenges: The hiking trails to reach Round Valley's primitive campsites can be difficult. "I have hiked throughout the entire US and consider myself somewhere between a moderate to skilled hiker and I found these trails challenging and uneven," shares one camper who recommends proper hiking boots.
Noise considerations: Jenny Jump State Forest sites can experience highway sounds despite the remote setting. "My only complaint is that the noise from the highway was quite loud at night," mentions one camper. Request sites farther from the road when making reservations.
Water pressure variations: Some campgrounds experience seasonal water pressure issues. At Jugtown Mountain Campsites, a visitor noted, "There was some issue with the water pressure during the daytime. Only had 1psi of water pressure. Couldn't take a shower or wash dishes."
Tips for camping with families
Pet-friendly hiking: For pet friendly camping near Annandale, New Jersey, Colonial Woods Family Resort provides accommodations with nearby trails. A visitor shared, "Close by to a couple of nice state parks. Cute sheep and goats that wander about during the day!"
Water activities: Many campgrounds offer swimming and boating opportunities for families. "The swimming pond is pleasant and great to cool off in," notes one visitor about Camp Taylor, while another mentioned their "nice playground with tons of kids running all over."
Educational opportunities: Incorporate learning into camping trips. At Camp Taylor, one camper reports, "The wolf preserve at the same location was just amazing - we learned so much and could hear the wolves howl from the campsite." Rangers often provide educational programming during summer months.
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: Request pull-through sites when possible. A visitor to Mountainview Campground explains, "I reserved two nights, but the first night we were not going to be able to arrive until after 9. After talking to them, they would not allow us to come late, but did refund the first night."
Road navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads. At Colonial Woods, one RVer warns, "The roads are very narrow, pretty sizable boulders on both sides, trees are very low and need to be trimmed (almost took my ac out with a huge limb)."
Dump station timing: Plan dump station usage during off-peak times. At Colonial Woods, a camper advises, "Dump station location isn't ideal on a busy morning. I heard they might work on a second dump location and was told to ask if it's ok to stick around until it dies down if our site isn't needed soon."
Legend
