Round Valley State Park Campground sits about 39 miles west of Bayonne, offering primitive camping sites accessible only by a 3-6 mile hike or by boat. Most camping options near Bayonne are within a 40-mile radius, with several state parks providing pet-friendly accommodations. Sites typically range from primitive camping with no hookups to full-service RV sites with water and electric connections.
What to do
Water activities on crystal-clear reservoirs: Round Valley State Park Campground features a 2,350-acre reservoir for kayaking and canoeing. "The water is crystal clear, the area is clean. 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," notes James R.
Hiking trails for all skill levels: Cheesequake State Park Campground offers trails ranging from easy to moderate. One visitor shares, "This is a great site for those who are not avid campers. It's close to town if you forget something and it has all the facilities you may need. The best part is all the trails. Great place for hiking."
Archery and outdoor activities: Turkey Swamp Park includes an archery range among its recreational options. According to Dan W., "Plenty to do over a 2 night stay. Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking. Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Turkey Swamp Park features secluded campsites with ample space between neighbors. "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest. Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy," reports Katheryn N.
Convenient urban access: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation balances natural surroundings with city convenience. Jeff W. notes, "It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities. And yet it's only about a 15 minute drive to a large mall with movies, shopping, and restaurants."
Tent platforms at forested sites: Several campgrounds provide raised tent platforms to keep tents dry. As Christina L. describes about Mahlon Dickerson, "They have these 12x12 platforms to put your tent on. This was pretty cool especially since some of the sites are all gravel with surrounding dirt."
What you should know
Bear safety protocols: Beaver Pond Campground requires campers to follow bear safety guidelines. "Welcome to Bear Mountain" grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! He offers us a highlighted map to our site, wishes us a good stay, and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area."
Ticks can be prevalent: Some wooded campgrounds have tick issues, particularly in spring and summer. One visitor to Turkey Swamp Park reported, "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2. That was so crazy because we were just sitting by our camper."
Weekend noise levels vary: Many campgrounds experience higher noise levels on weekends. At Beaver Pond Campground, one ranger confirmed that "during summer weekends the grounds fill up and can be quite noisy, but mid-week during the off-season it was great."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and kid-friendly areas: Pleasant Valley Lavender provides a unique camping experience near flowering fields. "So pleasant to sleep near the blooming fields. Campsite is tucked in the woods with. Tent camping in peace and quiet with easy access to major roads and highways to explore central NJ," shares Ellen K.
Bug preparation essential: Pack plenty of insect repellent for camping trips with children. One camper at Turkey Swamp Park commented, "We went camping with our 2- and 3-year-old kids. We were worried about bugs, but we didn't even use mosquito repellent and didn't get a single bite!"
Swimming options with caution: Several parks offer swimming areas, but water quality varies. A visitor to Round Valley observed, "The view was KILLER. The water is crystal clear, the area is clean," while noting the swimming areas are regulated.
Tips from RVers
Parking logistics for NYC visits: Liberty Harbor RV Park serves as a base for Manhattan exploration. Kevin A. advises, "We spent 3 nights here last week. I was in NYC for business and we took our RV. Very convenient location. The sites had electric and water and were in a fenced off section of tue marina parking area."
Water hookup distances vary: Some sites require extended water hoses for RV connections. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, one visitor noted, "Website lists water hook ups at long distances but they have hose reels to help with that. Our site (15) said 75' however the 50' hose reel made it to our rv connection."
Early season camping considerations: Many campgrounds operate seasonally from April through October. Turkish Swamp Park features "campsites in five loops with the bathhouse located in the D Loop. Sites in Loops B-E all have pull-thru driveways. Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy."
Legend
