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Best Campgrounds near Brookside, NJ

976 Reviews

Camping options around Brookside, New Jersey range from state forests to private resorts, all within a short drive of town. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation and Panther Lake Camping Resort offer cabin camping alongside tent and RV sites, while Jenny Jump State Forest and Stephens State Park provide more rustic camping experiences. The region includes several mixed-use campgrounds with options for glamping, yurts, and traditional camping, particularly in the northwestern portion of New Jersey near the Delaware Water Gap and along various lakes and waterways.

Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from April through October, with limited winter availability. Many state parks require advance reservations, especially for summer weekends and holidays. A review noted that "the campground was wonderful. Our site was plenty big enough for a large tent and a hammock. We could have easily fit another large tent." Panther Lake Camping Resort and Great Divide Campground both offer full hookups for RVs, while state forest campgrounds typically provide more basic amenities. Cell service can be spotty throughout the region, with several reviews mentioning poor connectivity, particularly at Panther Lake where "there's no wifi or phone signal anywhere other than near the entrance."

Water access stands out as a significant draw for campers in the Brookside area. Stephens State Park Campground features proximity to fishing streams, with one camper highlighting that "the river is just a small walk down the hill... You can hear the babbling of the river when it's quiet at camp which provided an extra layer of relaxation." Panther Lake's beach and boating opportunities receive frequent mention in positive reviews. For RV travelers, site sizes vary considerably between campgrounds, with state parks generally offering smaller sites with fewer hookups compared to private resorts. The area's campgrounds balance natural settings with accessibility, most being within 15-30 minutes of shopping and dining options while still providing forest or lakeside environments.

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Best Camping Sites Near Brookside, New Jersey (151)

    1. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation

    18 Reviews
    Jefferson, NJ
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 697-3140

    "Located in the Skylands of New Jersey, Mahlon Dickerson Campgound is a perfect place to spend a few nights or a couple of weeks. The campsites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large."

    "It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities."

    2. Round Valley State Park Campground

    25 Reviews
    Lebanon, NJ
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (908) 236-6355

    "The crystal-clear water is home to huge lake trout and the forests are bursting with wildlife. The sunsets across the lake are to die for."

    "Once you get to the campground trail it’s pretty easy going on asphalt surface."

    3. Panther Lake Camping Resort

    17 Reviews
    Andover, NJ
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 347-4440

    "Panther lake was a pretty good campground with lots of spots to camp at. Our campsite had a picnic bench and a fire ring. They offer both RV and primitive camping."

    "The Lake is the gem of the campground with a really nice beach, good for fishing and kayaking. The negatives were the bathrooms. They are very primitive and quite dirty."

    4. Great Divide Campground

    16 Reviews
    Andover, NJ
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 383-4026

    " Our 4rth state in our 5 state trip is New Jersey! We wanted to see Delaware Water Gap NRA & I found a campground by Newton called The Great Divide. This is a private campground."

    "All the positive reviews about this place are accurate! Beautiful, clean, well maintained, lots to do, great value for your $$"

    5. Jenny Jump State Forest

    14 Reviews
    Johnsonburg, NJ
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (908) 459-4366

    "The bathroom/shower was only a few steps away which was convenient and clean."

    "All the sites are set up nearby the office where people are all day should you ever need anything. The workers are super friendly and regularly make rounds of the grounds."

    6. Spruce Run Recreation Area

    15 Reviews
    Bethlehem, NJ
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (908) 638-8572

    "Park employees and park police drive around through the day. Some big groups of campers got a little rowdy at night. The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting."

    "The actual site was nice and was close to the bathrooms. There was plenty of shade as the sun moved throughout the day."

    7. Stephens State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Hackettstown, NJ
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (908) 852-3790

    "There are dumpsters but no recycling (not sure if New Jersey segregates recycling after pickup). 

    ATT had some reception but we forgot to check the Verizon phone. "

    "Was a bit hard to locate the office to check in but finally found it. The camp site was spacious. The bathrooms were struggling with the plumbing but were fairly clean."

    8. Worthington State Forest Campground — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

    39 Reviews
    Shawnee on Delaware, NJ
    31 miles
    Website

    "Full bathrooms are located behind campsite #15 (clean flushing bathrooms, with motion-sensed lighting, showers, dishwashing sink), but easily accessible from campsites nearby."

    "Bathrooms with flush toilets are conveniently located centrally every so often."

    9. Fla-net Park Campgrounds

    2 Reviews
    Netcong, NJ
    10 miles
    +1 (973) 347-4467

    "We had our 3 Labs with us and they had plenty of walking space. We were within walking distance of Chili's. Close to shopping if you needed something. Reasonably quiet."

    10. Swartswood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    13 Reviews
    Newton, NJ
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 383-5230

    "We booked a campsite at the far end of the loop by the lake, which looked to be the right spot for some privacy, but a longer walk to the bathroom and water spigot."

    "The campsites are slightly separated from the lake (maybe 8 min walk to lake) but that also means you aren’t bothered by day guests. The lake is beautiful! Great for swimming and fishing."

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Recent Camping Photos near Brookside, NJ

598 Photos of 151 Brookside Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Brookside, NJ

976 Reviews of 151 Brookside Campgrounds

  • Jessica V.
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Tohickon Family Campground

    Great weekend spot

    We went with friends for a weekend. Both families have little kids and it was a great spot with a playground, construction digging area, and a bunch of activities for the kids to do. We went in September so the pool was closed but it looked like a nice size. Full hook ups which was great! Also they have a nice stream that everyone went fishing at. They are building some new sites at the end of the property.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Round Valley State Park Campground

    Get Your Hard-Core Hiking In To Enjoy This CG

    Located just south of I78 and near the small hamlets of Clinton and Lebanon, what I love most about Round Valley SP is the fact that it has its very own eponymous fresh water reservoir, which spanning some 2,350 acres and is 180 feed deep in the middle, this body of water provides a solid amount of upside for anyone wanting to kayak, canoe or swim. One of the greatest assets at this particular SP CG are the wonderful rangers who keep this place in such tip-top condition year-round. From the North Picnic Area, Bray’s Hill Preserve and Round Valley Beachhead to the East Picnic Area, Round Valley Farm on the eastern side of the reservoir as well as Round Valley Rec Area, there’s a lot to explore at this SP.

    One interesting fact about this place– believe it or not– it is the only NJ SP that actually offers up true wilderness camping(a.k.a. primitive), which can only be accessed by hiking 3 to 6 miles– or if you come with your own boat, you can access by water– and can be found on the SE corner of the reservoir. There is a second area nearby called Spruce Run Recreation Area that can be accessed by driving to this location, which is on the other side of I78 NW of Round Valley SP. That said, if you’re looking to camp here at Round Valley, I highly recommend you boat in as the hiking path is incredibly difficult to manage without hauling all of your camping gear, so coming in with a ton of gear is even more difficult/ prohibitive.

    When you finally do arrive to this primitive CG immersed in NJ’s thick wild foliage, you’ll experience waterfront bliss with a crystalline bevy of trout-infused reservoir water, 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, um, I guess makes up a fire ring. While there are backwoods-style bathroom pits, these are very ill-managed and you’ll come across the‘stank’ well before actually even arriving here, so we just didn’t use them. There’s picnic tables, but the one we had was in pretty rough condition. The thing I found odd about the place is that after hiking so far in to get to this location, you’re not allowed to swim in the reservoir, which kind of defeats the entire point IMHO. That said, the views are amazing and because there’s nothing else in these parts, you will experience true peace in nature.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few:(1) Whether hiking or kayaking to this CG, you will want to bring as little with you as possible– packing too much to come here just isn’t worth the work;(2) We found parking in the Southern Lot to be perfectly fine and while we were initially worried about leaving our vehicle parked there for a few nights, we were reassured by the park rangers who patrol the lot constantly;(3) While the water in the reservoir may look crystal clear, it is not crystal clean and I would STRONGLY encourage anyone who thinks that it is OK to drink from the reservoir to at least use a Life Straw to ensure they don’t get sick;(4) I have hiked throughout the entire US and consider myself somewhere between a moderate to skilled hiker and I found these trails challenging and uneven, so while the hike we made was only 3 miles, it was not easy and I would be worried about someone breaking an ankle getting to this CG– so at a minimum, ensure you are wearing proper hiking boots. Seriously, for what this SP puts you through to access this CG one really needs to question why they’re being charged anything at all in the first place.

    Happy Camping!

  • J
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Turkey Swamp Park

    Fantastic camping ground

    We went camping with our 2- and 3-year-old kids. We were worried about bugs, but we didn’t even use mosquito repellent and didn’t get a single bite! The campground was super clean too. It was perfect!

  • Kylie R.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Mountain Vista Campground

    A mix of being able to unplug but also have the ammenities avavilble if wanted/needed

    This campground is very clean, staff and campers are very friendly. It’s a great spot if you have kids because they have many different activities(pool/arcade games/movie nights/ and more.)

  • Damia F.
    Aug. 29, 2025

    High Point State Park Campground

    Relaxing and Well-Maintained

    Stayed 2 nights and it was really nice. Camping for summer is pretty limited to Sawmill Lake, as the other locations are for groups or winter camping. Camps are secluded from each other and most if not all have an elevated space to put tents or chairs. Each place comes with a lamp hang, a fire pit, and a picnic table. Bathrooms are spaced out. No running water except for pump founded outside of the bathrooms. Toilets are pump flushed. Showers are only located INSIDE High Point State Park, not throughout the campsites, but entry is free for campers. One hiking trail is accessible in Sawmill campground, 3 others are accessible on the road outside of the campground and the rest are located inside the park. When you arrive you have to check in with the park office for your campsite tag. Hours are 8-4. Park officials come through the campsites pretty regularly, a few times a day which is nice. Areas are clean and well maintained.

  • j
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Cranberry Run Campground

    Don’t Stay here!!

    It’s not a campground. It’s where people stash their rvs, some of whom seem to live here permanently. Caretaker was rude. Sites were all rocky and many on steep inclines. Complete waste of our time. Plus, the site looks nothing like the pictures they post, which is an area you can’t camp at. Don’t stay here.

  • Paul K.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Croton Point Park

    Not the Best Place to Go in the Northeast By a Longshot

    Croton Point Campground is a modest little campground, located along the Hudson River within Croton Point Park in NY. In addition to camping, the park itself offers many of its own attractions, including swimming, hiking, kayaking, cabin rentals, and a host of other family-oriented activities just along the Hudson. 

    The park, which is honestly probably the largest attraction here, is located just an hour and a half outside of the city. This proximity is both its perk and its downfall, as the park itself, but particularly the campground, has become laden with all sorts of inexplicable and burdensome rules, endless guidelines, and restrictions only a New York State-run bureaucracy could ever make sense of, let alone hope to justify. 

    This includes all manner of restrictions on how you can camp, where you can camp, what equipment can be used, and use in relation to what particular site you may have been lucky enough to reserve. Much of this you can understand while imagining what may have taken place here to bring them to such measures, but it doesn't make it any easier to contend with. 

    In terms of the actual camping conditions Both the tenting section and RV sites are each very clustered together, and quite crowded, with regular patrols🚓(actual patrols) being made day and night, by both the Park Rangers and what appears to be general park staff members, all looking to see if you or your family might be doing something that they might consider outside of the guidelines or not in compliance with the many restrictions. 

    This is not to say you can't possibly have a good time here. It just might mean being a bit more diligent toward reviewing the potential legitimacy of your normal camping routine to ensure it meets with many restrictions and guidelines imposed, while also making yourself comfortable with some fairly regular surveillance during your stay here. These all being things we hoped to get away from while camping ourselves It just turned out to be a bit much for our particular liking.

  • b
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Thunder Swamp Trailhead

    Gravel lot

    It’s a gravel parking lot. Plenty of shade. No one bothered me.

  • Adeline M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Worthington State Forest Campground — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

    Nice campground loud campers

    Great open spot with some shade, depending on when you go we have noticed there tends to be a lot of loud disrespectful people who are there to party not camp. It’s nice to be on the Delaware and not many campgrounds have water access or a boat ramp so that’s a plus. Showers, sinks, and toilets are available.

Guide to Brookside

Camping near Brookside, New Jersey, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Worthington State Forest Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The trails are nice and well marked," making it a great spot for both beginners and experienced hikers.
  • Water Activities: Enjoy tubing or kayaking along the Delaware River. A camper at Driftstone Campground said, "Tubing, kayaking, playing in the river, pool, park, etc…pick your activity."
  • Wildlife Viewing: Keep an eye out for local wildlife while hiking or relaxing at your campsite. One family at Camp Taylor Campground enjoyed hearing wolves howling from their site, creating a memorable experience.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Many campers appreciate the cleanliness of the bathrooms and showers. A visitor at Stokes State Forest noted, "Bathrooms are clean," which is always a plus when camping.
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy the roomy sites that provide privacy. One reviewer at Mountainview Campground said, "Sites are huge and very private. You didn’t even know that there were people around you."
  • Friendly Staff: The welcoming atmosphere is a highlight for many. A camper at Camp Taylor Campground mentioned, "The family that operates this place are the friendliest and most accommodating hosts."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially during peak season. A visitor at Worthington State Forest Campground shared, "During the day you can hear music, smell fires," indicating it might not be the best choice for solitude seekers.
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A camper at High Point State Park Campground mentioned, "The bathroom is fine but no shower," so be prepared for basic facilities.
  • Access Issues: Some campgrounds require a bit of a trek to reach your site. A reviewer at Round Valley State Park Campground noted, "The hike to get to the campground is a bit long," so plan accordingly.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds or organized activities. A family at Camp Taylor Campground enjoyed the "small arcade and playground," making it a hit with their kids.
  • Safety Precautions: Be aware of wildlife and take precautions. One camper at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation mentioned, "There are a lot of bear warnings here," so keep food stored safely.
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals and snacks. A visitor at Driftstone Campground appreciated the "spacious spots" for cooking and enjoying family meals outdoors.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Stokes State Forest mentioned, "Campsites are a little too close together in some spots," so check the layout before booking.
  • Prepare for Hills: Some campgrounds have steep access roads. A visitor at Camp Taylor Campground advised, "Make sure if you’re towing, you have a good tow vehicle because the hills on the way there are epic."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups if you need them. A reviewer at Mountainview Campground noted, "Electric and water hookups were a little far apart," so plan your setup accordingly.

Camping near Brookside, New Jersey, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to check the specific campground details and reviews to find the perfect spot for your next outdoor adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Brookside, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, Brookside, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 151 campgrounds and RV parks near Brookside, NJ and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Brookside, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Brookside, NJ is Mahlon Dickerson Reservation with a 4.7-star rating from 18 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Brookside, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Brookside, NJ.

What parks are near Brookside, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Brookside, NJ that allow camping, notably Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Gateway National Recreation Area.

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