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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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!!"
Tips from RVers
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."
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