Camping spots near Berkeley Heights, New Jersey exist primarily in the forested highlands and reservoir areas to the west, with most located between 20-60 minutes driving distance. The region's camping season typically runs April through November, with several parks maintaining winter accommodations for cold-weather campers. Most locations experience heavy weekend demand during summer months with weekdays offering greater site availability.
What to do
Boating on Spruce Run Reservoir: Visitors can rent kayaks, canoes, paddleboats and rowboats at Spruce Run Recreation Area when camping here. "There is a lake with a boat dock and a small boardwalk. Kayaking/Canoeing, fishing, and swimming. In the summer, canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental," notes a camper at Turkey Swamp Park.
Hiking varied trails: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers hiking opportunities through wooded terrain with minimal elevation changes. "We always hike to the lake here, it's a very easy hike and also very peaceful," writes one camper. Another visitor at Spruce Run Recreation Area mentioned, "Several short (longest one is 2.5 miles) hiking trails that are fairly well-marked but can be a bit confusing at times."
NYC sightseeing access: Camp near the city with direct ferry access. "There is a ferry 100-yards away that takes you to Wall Street M-F. There is a great market about 1/4 of a mile away, and the path that can take you to WTC or 33rd Street area is only a mile away," reports a camper at Liberty Harbor RV Park.
What campers like
Remote wilderness camping: Boat-in or hike-in sites at Round Valley offer rare seclusion near Berkeley Heights. "This is a great campground that is super private and quiet - great for getting out to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. It's a pretty strenuous hike, but you'll be rewarded for the effort!" notes a visitor at Round Valley State Park Campground.
Lake fishing opportunities: Most nearby campgrounds feature fishing access at their lakes or reservoirs. "The campground is small but also secluded. We always hike to the lake here, it's very easy hike and also very peaceful," shares a camper at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Spacious wooded sites: Several campgrounds offer well-spaced campsites with natural barriers. "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," comments a Turkey Swamp visitor.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Quality and cleanliness of bathrooms differs significantly between locations. "The bathroom was absolutely disgusting. I thought with COVID they were cleaning them more, but for the entire weekend, someone's #2 remained all over the toilet, floor, and corner wall," reports a Spruce Run camper.
Insect preparation needed: Ticks present challenges at some locations, particularly in wooded areas. A Turkey Swamp camper warns, "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."
Boat-in only sites: Some campgrounds require watercraft to access. "We paddled in, the water is very clean and crystal clear," notes a Round Valley visitor. Another camper at the same location adds, "If you get a site on the water, you can take a boat across to to your site (check the site for regulations/restrictions)."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: First-time campers should consider fully-developed sites. "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, bathroom, shower, etc. The best part is all the trails," explains a visitor at Cheesequake State Park Campground.
Kid-focused activities: Some campgrounds organize recreational programs for children. A camper at Great Divide Campground states, "The common area, along with the pool, had a small soccer field and volleyball court. They also had scheduled activities for kids."
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. "The parkway runs through/over the park, you will be able to hear traffic noises," notes a Cheesequake visitor. Similarly, another camper shares, "You can hear 78, especially at night once the campground settles down," regarding Spruce Run.
Tips from RVers
Water access challenges: Many sites require extended water hoses. "Water hookups 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," notes a Mahlon Dickerson camper.
Limited full-hookup availability: Full service sites can be scarce. "There are some RV sites with water & electric which are not on the water, but in the parking lot. I would consider getting one on the water to enjoy the water and one in the parking lot to hook up the RV," advises a Spruce Run visitor.
Site leveling requirements: Some campgrounds feature uneven terrain. "Sites kind of level and very close. Power and water, and convenient dump station if staying and needing to dump," explains a Liberty Harbor RV Park camper who added, "Getting in and out of the city is an adventure. Stay right off the highway to avoid the $30 tunnel toll."
