Tent camping opportunities around Bloomsbury, New Jersey provide access to the Delaware Valley region where elevations range from 300 to 1,600 feet across varied terrain. Summer temperatures typically reach 85°F with cooler nights, while spring and fall maintain 60-70°F daytime averages. Most camping areas enforce maximum 14-day stays with variable reservation windows from 3 months to 6 months in advance.
What to do
Fishing activities: access points at Round Valley Reservoir require state fishing licenses and special trout stamps for anglers 16 and older. The reservoir contains lake trout in waters up to 180 feet deep. A camper notes, "The water in the reservoir is crystal clear, and you won't get much in the way of amenities, apart from a few random water pumps and some rocks piled in a circle that makes up a fire ring."
Kayaking options: Walter's Boat In Campsites on the Delaware River offers river-accessible camping 30-45 minutes upstream from Shawnee Golf Course. "After another 1/2 mile and there are no other campsites for more than 20 miles, and those are private or reserved sites," mentions one visitor, who adds that "Beyond that another 20 minutes and you find yourself at the New Jersey Welcome Center and Mt. Tammany."
Hiking connections: Kirkridge Shelter sits on Kittatinny Mountain just off the Appalachian Trail with designated camping spots. "This spot is right next to a beautiful view on the side of Kittany Mountain and just off the Appalachian trail. There is 4 spots to set up at all of which have a spot for a fire," states a camper who accessed the area from Bangor Mountain Road.
What campers like
Seclusion levels: Wooded Campground near the Delaware Water Gap offers both open field and wooded options for tent camping. A visitor reports, "Perfect land for an overnight before hitting the trail. There's open field and wooded options, and the hosts couldn't have been more accommodating. Mel brought firewood for the campfire and helped us load up on water."
Wildlife encounters: Jenny Jump State Forest features spacious sites with proximity to wildlife. "This place was great, they allow dogs and had hiking trails with beautiful views you could enjoy right from your campground. It's also close to other local hikes like Mt. Tammany," explains a camper about the accessibility of natural features.
Tent platforms: Camp Mohican Outdoor Center provides elevated camping options. "Tent sites are either on the ground have wooden platforms. Cabins come in various sizes," notes one camper. Another visitor highlights amenities: "The Group Campsite was really big. It had 5-6 platforms, privys, big fire ring, a grill, a beatbox, a large pavilion w/picnic tables and a real full sized bathroom only 100 yards away."
What you should know
Site privacy: Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park offers large sites but minimal separation between campers. A visitor warns, "The sites are large but there is NO privacy. The sites are lined up next to each other along the campground driveway and there are absolutely no trees or shrubs between them." Another camper confirms, "Sites are close to each other with absolutely no privacy."
Bathroom conditions: Pit toilets at primitive sites may have strong odors. Camp areas with shower facilities typically open from April through October. Some campsites have pit toilets located within 100 yards of camping areas. A Jenny Jump State Forest camper observed, "The last time we were there we were at site 28 which was nice and secluded but the smell from the pit toilets wafted over after a while."
Water sources: Many primitive sites require carrying or filtering water. Camp Mohican provides a visitor center with showers and bathrooms approximately 3/10 mile from group sites. Round Valley campers often filter reservoir water rather than using pump stations, with one noting, "We filtered the water from the reservoir instead which tasted a million times better than the well water."
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife education: Washington Crossing State Park offers historical programming combined with camping. "The surrounding parks are rich with history and outdoor options. On the Pennsylvania side, you'll find the visitor center, historic McConkey's Ferry Inn, Bowman's Hill Tower, and interpretive programs that bring the Revolutionary War era to life," reports a reviewer.
Weather preparation: Pack for temperature swings of 20-30 degrees between day and night, especially during spring and fall. Summer months (June-August) see higher mosquito activity, particularly at dusk. A Jenny Jump State Forest camper suggests, "We got settled in and unpacked our supplies and set up our camp. Already provided was a large canvas tent that housed a queen bed with two night stands along with some books, an air mattress pump, lantern and some bee spray."
First-time camping recommendations: Select sites with nearby facilities for initial camping experiences. A Round Valley visitor recommends: "This is a great place to start with getting into backpacking and enjoying nature." For beginners, another camper suggests, "I think this would be great for a family who are just starting to get interested in camping and would like to experience it first without making a large investment into buying your own equipment."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most tent camping areas near Bloomsbury restrict RV access or provide minimal amenities. Electric hookups are available at Jenny Jump State Forest, but water and sewer connections are limited. Washington Crossing State Park restricts camping to organized groups with no RV facilities.
Access restrictions: Narrow, winding roads with low clearance points limit large vehicle access in some areas. Check campground specifics before arrival, as many forest roads have width and weight restrictions. Green Lane Park camper noted, "Bathrooms however are nice and clean with plenty of them around the park. Rangers will pass by and check that everyone is in the correct sites but that's about it."
Alternative options: Consider nearby private campgrounds with full hookups as basecamp for exploring primitive areas during day trips. Jenny Jump State Forest provides electric hookups for smaller RVs while maintaining a natural setting within reasonable distance to Bloomsbury.
