Equestrian camping opportunities near Bernards, New Jersey remain limited, with alternatives requiring some travel. The region sits at elevations between 200-400 feet in Somerset County's hilly terrain. Most camping options are within a 30-60 minute drive from Bernards, with camping season typically running April through October when temperatures average 45-85°F depending on season.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Stokes State Forest offers multiple trail options with varying difficulty. "There are 21 marked trails that cover over 63 miles within the boundaries of Stokes State Forest. Twelve miles are part of the Appalachian Trail," notes a camper who suggests getting a hiking map at the park office or downloading the Avenza Maps app.
Kayaking on lakes: At Turkey Swamp Park, visitors can enjoy water activities with rentals available. "Kayaking/Canoeing, fishing, and swimming. In the summer, canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental," explains a camper who appreciates the variety of water recreation options.
Village exploration: Allaire State Park offers historic attractions beyond camping. "Working village and antique train are available most of the year. There are also lots of festivals throughout the summer months," reports one visitor who enjoyed the cultural aspects of the park.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Mountainview Campground offers secluded camping experiences. "The property is well kept and campsites are a good distance from each other. Plenty of open field as well as wooded areas," notes a visitor who appreciated the privacy.
Spacious sites: Stokes State Forest Lake Ocquittunk provides generous camping areas. "The sites had a fire ring with a cooking grate and a picnic table and were well spaced out from other sites. The views of the lake are nice, very peaceful," writes a camper who enjoyed the lakeside location.
Year-round availability: Campers appreciate that some parks offer extended seasons. "This is a smallish campground with many seasonal spots and some rental spots. Our spot was #27 and pretty spacious," mentions one Mountainview Campground visitor who found the facilities met their needs without extra frills.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary: Spruce Run Recreation Area gets mixed reviews for bathrooms. "The showers were cold water only and very cold at that," reports a recent visitor who otherwise enjoyed their stay.
Tick precautions necessary: Wildlife concerns exist in some parks. "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," warns a Turkey Swamp Park visitor.
Site reservations recommended: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "The campground seemed pretty full in August. There are other campgrounds in this park if you can't get reservations or a spot," advises a camper at Stokes State Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple parks offer child-friendly amenities. "Several playgrounds, boat launches, and life guarded swimming area," notes a Spruce Run visitor who found activities suitable for different age groups.
Wildlife education: Turn bug encounters into learning experiences. "I guess if you don't like that kind of stuff you should avoid an area like this, but for some of us, this is what camping is all about. It was just so awesome to hear the sounds of wildlife all around you," writes a Mountainview camper who enjoyed the natural surroundings.
Tent platforms: Some sites include helpful features for families. "Our site was T219. It was a solid choice: private but close to the toilet and water," reports a Stokes Forest camper who found the amenities convenient for family use.
Tips from RVers
Water hookup planning: At many campgrounds, hookups require preparation. "The power station was well intact with 15/20, 30, and 50amp. Overall it was a nice stay and served our purpose," mentions a Mountainview visitor about site utilities.
RV site selection strategy: Choose carefully based on your needs. "If bringing your RV, the safest bet is to reserve a spot with no shade as the other spots often times have very low hanging tree limbs," advises a visitor to Spruce Run who encountered difficulties with some sites.
Limited sewer connections: Plan accordingly for waste management. "There is a dump station, but not the easiest to use," notes a camper who suggests preparing for this limitation at campgrounds without full hookups.
