Round Valley State Park Campground offers rustic, boat-in or hike-in camping for visitors with pets. The campground sits at 400 feet elevation near Lebanon, New Jersey, about 15 miles from Bernardsville. Campsites are positioned along the reservoir shoreline, requiring either a strenuous 3-mile minimum hike or boat transport to access the primitive camping areas.
What to do
Water activities at the reservoir: Round Valley Recreation Area provides clear water access for fishing and paddling. "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," shares James R. from Round Valley State Park Campground.
Mountain biking trails: The Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers extensive mountain biking paths through wooded terrain. "We always hike to the lake here, it's a very easy hike and also very peaceful. Definitely come here when you get a chance," writes Paulene-Amanda M. about her experiences at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Observatory visits: Voorhees State Park features an astronomical observatory open for public viewing sessions on select weekends. "My husband and I have stayed here several times, but the last time was the best! We stayed 2 nights in Cabin Z for our anniversary getaway and we loved having the whole place to ourselves," recounts Meredith C. about her visit.
What campers like
Secluded camping experience: Jenny Jump State Forest offers quiet campgrounds away from crowds. "My husband and I Tent camped in #34 with our dog. The space was reasonably priced, but we did have to pay an extra $5/day for our dog. However, we didn't mind as it was so private we felt like we had the entire Park to ourselves," says Kelsey K. about Jenny Jump State Forest.
Wildlife encounters: Mountainview Campground provides opportunities to observe local wildlife in natural settings. "I've never heard so much wildlife there as I did here. Only shortly after we settled into our tent did we hear foxes fighting right outside our tent, the snorts of deer, and there were bats right above us all night making noise!" Christina H. describes her experience at Mountainview Campground.
Accessibility to water: Multiple campgrounds offer direct access to lakes and rivers. "The camp site was spacious. The bathrooms were struggling with the plumbing but were fairly clean. The river is just a small walk down the hill (you can stairs or a path which was nice). They stock the water with trout," reports jacquelyn G. about Stephens State Park.
What you should know
Distance to facilities: Bathroom access varies significantly between campgrounds. "This campground appears to be designed as a disbursed camping design. The camping area is located on a loop road I would estimate to be about a mile long. There is one restroom/shower house. Some campsites are close but our site was a 1/1 mile away," notes Kevin C. about Cheesequake State Park Campground.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the area operate from April through October. Late season camping offers fewer crowds but potential weather challenges. State park campgrounds typically close by October 31.
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