11 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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 $$"
"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. "
"Just 1.5 hours outside of NYC, site was a bit close to the neighbors (fire pit was very far back and basically in the neighbors’ campsite, but we put up a “privacy clothesline” and hung a tarp over it"
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
TravelerMike grandson and I had a fun time he enjoyed the little beach and especially the playground. The staff in the office were very nice. Bathrooms were clean but can be updates.
ScoutWater/power at the campsite, and and centrally located dump station. Lots of trees and nice separation of sites
LegendNestled along the picturesque Delaware River in beautiful Bucks County, Washington Crossing Historic Park is one of those destinations where American history practically jumps out from behind every tree. This sprawling, beautifully preserved historic park commemorates George Washington's daring Christmas night crossing of the Delaware in 1776, with charming colonial buildings, expansive green spaces, shaded walking paths and lovely riverfront scenery. Divided into Upper and Lower sections, the park offers plenty to explore, from historic homesteads and interpretive exhibits to scenic picnic areas and the impressive Bowman's Hill Tower. Unfortunately, while the park delivers a wonderful outdoor experience, traditional overnight camping isn't part of the equation unless your a Boy Scout or accompanying one of their troops.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spectacular Revolutionary War history at the very site of Washington's legendary Delaware River crossing; (2) Beautifully maintained grounds featuring mature trees, open lawns and scenic riverfront views; (3) Fascinating colonial-era buildings, historic demonstrations and educational exhibits that bring America's founding history to life; (4) Wonderful recreational opportunities, including walking, cycling, fishing, kayaking and picnicking; and (5) Convenient proximity to charming New Hope, the Delaware Canal towpath and Bowman's Hill Tower, offering plenty of opportunities to extend your adventure.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) No conventional public tent or RV camping, with overnight group camping restricted to organized Scout groups by prior arrangement; (2) No dedicated RV campsites, electrical hookups, water connections or dump station; (3) Park grounds generally close at sunset, limiting opportunities to linger into the evening; (4) Some historic buildings and attractions require admission fees or operate on limited schedules; and (5) Periodic restoration projects and special events can restrict access to certain areas, while the historic Washington Crossing Bridge's three-ton weight limit makes it unsuitable for larger RVs.
Happy Camping!
LegendLocated just off US Route 1 in the upscale Princeton area, this spacious Lowe's serves up a surprisingly pleasant patch of pavement for weary road warriors looking to catch some shut-eye. Set back roughly 80 yards from the highway, this big blue home improvement retailer offers a generously sized parking lot with relatively manageable traffic, good maneuverability and a quieter atmosphere than you might expect from such a busy suburban retail corridor. The western and southern edges of the lot are particularly appealing for an overnight stay, and with Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several other retailers nearby, convenience certainly isn't in short supply. Better yet, the store management was friendly and accommodating when we called ahead to arrange our overnight visit.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spacious, paved parking lot with plenty of room to maneuver larger rigs; (2) Convenient access to US Route 1 and nearby I-95; (3) Western and southern parking areas offer quieter spots away from the busiest customer traffic; (4) Excellent nearby conveniences, including Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several dining options; and (5) Friendly store management that welcomed our overnight stay, plus surprisingly good opportunities for outdoor recreation nearby.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) Some daytime retail traffic and occasional road noise, although nothing terribly disruptive; (2) No RV hookups, dump station or dedicated overnight camping facilities; (3) Parking areas closest to the store can become crowded during business hours; (4) Limited greenery and little of the scenery you'd expect from a traditional campground; and (5) While the overnight experience was excellent, this is still a commercial parking lot rather than a destination for an extended stay.
Happy Overnighting!
LegendThere's something wonderfully special about escaping into nature where the only sounds are rustling leaves, birds singing and the gentle movement of water along the shoreline. Nestled among the wooded hills surrounding the beautiful Round Valley Reservoir, this rustic SP campground offers families a chance to disconnect from everyday distractions and enjoy a little wilderness adventure together. Unlike traditional campgrounds, the campsites are accessible only by hiking or boating, so getting anywhere here requires some planning and a willingness to travel light. Once you've arrived, you'll find secluded, wooded campsites with picnic tables, fire rings and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Amenities are basic, with pit toilets and no showers, but the beautiful reservoir, scenic hiking trails, fishing and kayaking opportunities more than make up for the lack of modern conveniences. Our kids loved exploring the woods, spotting wildlife and gathering around a crackling campfire at night to share stories beneath the stars. For families comfortable with the hike, I'd recommend choosing one of the campsites along the reservoir shoreline for the lovely water views and peaceful surroundings. Just remember that swimming is limited to the park's designated beach area. Round Valley isn't your typical family campground, but for adventurous families who enjoy hiking, camping under the stars and making wonderful memories together, it's a beautiful place to experience nature at its finest!
RangerI'll start by saying this is a site-specific review (C20). I booked using Campspot and didn't select my own site but put in the criteria for my rig (30ft TT plus truck) and got a 50A back-in spot. The site was big but abnormal. Between the picnic table placement and the trees, I ended up right around 50ft from the electric and water, and the water spigot was so low I could barely put on my camco filter. With the uneven dirt roads, I had to unhitch with my truck in a gigantic puddle (lol). The site was otherwise fine aside from my gate code not working on Day 2. As for the campground as a whole, I thought it was pretty unique place by the river that offered several good amenities and activities, like downstream river tubing, an arcade, bathroom/shower facilities, a small store, little trails, and more. I would say this place borders the more primitive side.
ScoutOn Friday, September 4, 2026, I rented a trailer and brought my family to Cheesequake State Park to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary over the extended Labor Day weekend. Around 9:20 PM—well before the park's designated 10:00 PM quiet hours—we were sitting inside our canopy, playing Jenga, and listening to low background music. Two officers from the Matawan Police Department approached our campsite. They were polite and courteous, simply offering a standard reminder to wrap things up by 10:00 PM. Before they could leave, however, a third, senior officer intervened. Wanting to"show them how it's done," he made the two polite officers return and stand by to watch as he demonstrated how to aggressively harass campers. Flashlight in hand, the senior officer approached with an immediate hostile attitude, treating us like criminals as he demanded to know who rented the site. He began reiterating rules and claimed we had too many vehicles. We had three cars, one belonging to my brother-in-law's girlfriend, who was visiting with her daughter. She had paid the$10 visitor fee at the main office and was instructed by staff to obtain the gate access code from us, the primary renters, if she got locked in. No staff member ever informed her of an 8:00 PM visitor departure deadline, leading us to reasonably assume visitors were permitted until quiet hours began at 10:00 PM. The officer rudely snapped that she had been given wrong information. The senior officer then used profanity in front of three small children, aggressively telling her to ("get her shit and get the fuck out!") in that manner or use profanity, the officer went from hostile to furious. He angrily declared that these were official violations and threatened that he could be issuing us tickets instead. Desperately searching for anything and everything to throw at us, he demanded that we turn off our idling car—which was supplying power to our campsite—and instructed us to make sure the campfire was doused before shutting down for the night. He then proceeded to shine his flashlight into our private setup—including our canopy, tents, and the inside of our trailer—searching for any other possible violation while the two polite officers were forced to watch. What was supposed to be a special 10th wedding anniversary celebration with my family was completely ruined by a senior officer misusing his authority to put on an unnecessary display of intimidation. Worse than just ruining our night, he spent that evening teaching those two police officers how to be bad cops. He corrupted two officers in real time, demonstrating firsthand exactly why most people have lost faith in the police force. The next day we was ready for them. We turned off our lights and quietly by the fire while they went next door to harass an asian family that had just set up camp and had their leds lights on.
ScoutPast reviews has mentioned that the office seems to be closed often, while I found that to be true I had no reason to contact anyone. This is definitely one of the cleanest quiets site I’ve ever visited
RangerWe stayed just a couple nights here on our way north. The camp host was helpful before our stay and during check-in. Our site was pretty isolated from the others, so it was very quiet (no complaints here). There is a decent mix of sunny sites by the river and shady sites under the trees. The weather was perfect mid September. There wasn't anything spectacular for me, but it was a good experience and it was a nice taste of fall PA scenery. Beware that the roads are tight for a big rig. Side note, it did seem like most campers lived there.
Camping options near Brookside, New Jersey include several state forests and private campgrounds within a 30-minute drive. The region sits at elevations ranging from 800-1,500 feet in the northwestern highlands, creating cooler summer temperatures than nearby urban areas. Winter camping availability is limited to a few locations like Worthington State Forest, which remains open through December 31, while most close by late October.
Hiking trails with water views: At Jenny Jump State Forest, trails lead to Ghost Lake and offer lookout points across the highlands. "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," notes one visitor who appreciated the convenient access to nature.
Fishing in local streams: Stephens State Park Campground offers trout fishing just a short walk from camp sites. "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," shares a camper. The park stocks its waters with trout, and officers check for required fishing permits.
Kayaking on reservoirs: At Round Valley State Park, the 2,350-acre reservoir provides excellent paddling opportunities. "Beautiful and quaint..a nice place to get away and enjoy some nature," writes one reviewer. The water is exceptionally clear, with one camper noting, "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."
Secluded wilderness options: For those seeking true isolation, Round Valley offers wilderness camping accessible only by hiking or boating. "This is a great campground that is super private and quiet - great for getting out to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. It's a pretty strenuous hike, but you'll be rewarded for the effort!" shares one visitor who appreciated the remoteness.
Spacious sites with privacy: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation earns praise for its site layout. "The campsites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large," writes a reviewer. Another notes, "Our site is easily the nicest- all the way in the back with only one neighbor. It is so quiet here...The sites are spaced well and have a nice bonus of large fire rings set back in the woods a bit from the pad."
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Stephens State Park receives positive feedback for its upkeep. "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. The bathrooms and showers were clean. The sink for dishes was clean and well maintained," reports a satisfied camper who stayed at site 29.
Cell service limitations: Service can be spotty throughout the region, especially in valleys and remote areas. At Great Divide Campground, one camper notes, "We found plenty of trails to hike with our two dogs. Staff were very helpful and kind. Bathrooms clean and shower was warm and clean as well. They even have a heater to keep you comfortable in and out of the shower."
Bear activity guidelines: Several campgrounds post bear warnings and require proper food storage. At Worthington State Forest, campers are advised to "practice safe routines and leave no trace!" One visitor at Swartswood State Park shared, "Three black bears strolled by the campsite next to ours in the early morning — gave us more of an energy boost after a sleepless night than our coffee!"
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. A Jenny Jump visitor recommends, "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."
Swimming options: Swartswood State Park offers a designated beach area with lifeguards in season. "One of my favorite camping locations to go with my family. Swimmers can come to the the main beach area without camping," shares a regular visitor. The park also provides "a pavilion, picnic spots right on the lake if you want to spend the afternoon."
Playground accessibility: Great Divide Campground features recreational facilities for children. "The common area, along with the pool, had a small soccer field and volleyball court. They also had scheduled activities for kids," reports a visitor who appreciated the structured activities despite rainy weather during their stay.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience varying noise levels. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, a camper observed, "Late at night you can hear the drone of a major highway." Another noted, "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!!"
Site size variations: Many campgrounds have mixed reviews regarding RV accommodation. At Worthington State Forest Campground, one RVer advises, "We did a family dry camp trip here. We had two campers, a 28 ft tow behind and a 38 ft mobile home. We stayed at sites 62 & 63. This place, and these sites, were perfect for a little disconnect from society."
Hookup availability: Mahlon Dickerson offers good infrastructure for RVs. "Easy to navigate our 38 ft. RV. Easy to dump and fill. Peaceful. Close to train to N.Y. City," writes one RVer who appreciated the convenience. Another mentions, "Website lists water hook ups at long distances but they have hose reels to help with that. Our site (15) said 75' however the 50' hose reel made it to our rv connection."
Terrain challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads. At Stephens State Park, a visitor cautions, "Lovely campground, but maybe not the best for big rigs. The campground as a whole and the individual sites are kind of tricky for bigger rigs. We are in a 26ft class c and we squeezed through, and there were a few sites where we could have made it work, but I can imagine a big class A or 5th wheel having a tough time."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Brookside, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Brookside, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 157 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 4.6-star rating from 19 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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