Equestrian camping options near Boonton, New Jersey are limited compared to traditional campgrounds. The region sits at elevations between 400-1,000 feet above sea level at the edge of the Highlands physiographic province. Most campgrounds in the area have restrictions regarding horses, with none offering dedicated equestrian facilities within a 30-mile radius of Boonton.
What to do
Hiking on multiple trails: At Stokes State Forest, campers can access 21 marked trails covering over 63 miles within the forest boundaries. "There are trail heads near the campsites and longer trails, including access to the Appalachian Trail within a short 10-15 minute drive. You can also rent kayaks and SUP at the main office," notes a visitor who rated the experience highly.
Water activities on reservoirs: Spruce Run Recreation Area offers multiple water-based recreation opportunities. "Lots of space. Great for sailing and fishing," writes Mike D. about the reservoir. The area includes boat launches and swimming areas with lifeguards during summer months.
Archery practice: Several parks maintain archery ranges for visitors. "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels," mentions Patrick M. about Turkey Swamp Park, which combines outdoor activities with camping amenities.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Campers consistently mention site privacy as a major benefit. "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest," notes Katheryn N. about Turkey Swamp Park's layout.
Lake views: Many campsites offer direct water access. At Pickerel Point Campground in Promised Land State Park, "We had site 100 and amazing views of the water from our camper," shares Kelly F., highlighting the prime waterfront locations available.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers receive positive mentions. "The bathrooms were clean and nicely placed. The sites had a fire ring with a cooking grate and a picnic table and were well spaced out from other sites," according to Catherine S. at Ocquittunk campground.
What you should know
No dedicated equestrian facilities: None of the campgrounds near Boonton provide horse-specific amenities like corrals, stalls, or hitching posts. Equestrians must trailer their horses in for day use on designated bridle trails without overnight accommodation for horses.
Variable bathroom conditions: Bathroom quality varies significantly between parks. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, a camper noted: "The bathrooms were 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."
Noise levels: Some campgrounds experience more noise than others. "It was very loud and rowdy into the late night. There were campers making lots of noise, arming/disarming their car alarms, slamming doors, cars driving in/out, bright lights flashing, etc. all PASSED 2am!!" reports Douglas P. about Spruce Run.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer playgrounds. "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office," notes Lee D. about Turkey Swamp Park, making it suitable for families with children of different ages.
Tick prevention: In wooded areas, ticks can be problematic. "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 Laura Y. about her experience at Turkey Swamp Park.
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer educational programs. At Mohican Outdoor Center, "The lodge has bathrooms and a small store. You can rent kayaks and canoes and swimming is allowed on Catfish Pond -- plenty of fish, snapping turtles, and other wildlife," according to Dan X., creating learning opportunities for children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer limited hookups. At Mountainview Campground, "The power station was well intact with 15/20, 30, and 50amp. Overall it was a nice stay and served our purpose. We don't need frills like a pool so we enjoyed it and would go again," reports Sarah.
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have tricky access roads. "The drive up to our site had some inclines and was relatively rocky and some vehicles would surely struggle," mentions Christina H. about Mountainview Campground, noting terrain difficulties for larger rigs.
Site selection strategy: For RVs at certain parks, choosing the right site matters. "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 Douglas P. about navigating Spruce Run Recreation Area.
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