Campgrounds near Brookside are situated within New Jersey's Highlands region at elevations between 500 and 1,000 feet, characterized by rocky ridgelines and dense deciduous forests. This area contains numerous small lakes and waterways that were formed by glacial activity during the last ice age. Temperatures typically range from 20°F in winter to 85°F in summer, with higher humidity levels during July and August camping season.
What to do
Wolf preserve tours: 5 miles from Columbia. The Lakota Wolf Preserve offers tours twice daily on weekends, accessible from adjacent Camp Taylor Campground. "You can take a short hike up the mountain there to see the wolves in the sanctuary. There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance," notes one camper who rated it 5 stars.
Fishing at Headley Overlook: 3 miles from Jefferson. Trout fishing spots are scattered throughout the woodland areas, with stocked fishing areas suitable for beginners. A camper at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation shared: "We always hike to the lake here, it's a very easy hike and also very peaceful. Definitely come here when you get a chance."
Watercraft rentals: Seasonal availability. Small ponds and lakes allow for kayaking with some campgrounds offering equipment. "Nice small lake with boats to use. Nice small beach. Lots of weekend activities," reports a camper who stayed at Camp Taylor. Round Valley Recreation Area provides reservoir access with limited motorized craft permitted during summer months.
What campers like
Secluded tent platforms: $15-25 per night. Many sites feature raised wooden tent platforms to keep gear dry during wet weather. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, a visitor mentioned, "They have these 12x12 platforms to put your tent on. This was pretty cool especially since some of the sites are all gravel with surrounding dirt."
Mountain hiking accessibility: Multiple skill levels. Local trails connect directly to campgrounds with options from easy to challenging terrain. "Hiked to Mt. Tammany from the campsite for the best view in NJ (9 miles round trip)," says one Camp Taylor visitor who appreciated the direct trail access.
Evening quiet enforcement: 10pm-7am. Campers report consistent enforcement of quiet hours, unlike some more party-oriented destinations. "Unlike many other campgrounds we've been to, they are very good about actually enforcing the quiet hours at night, so you can have an actual peaceful and quiet night around the campfire."
Water quality: Varies by location. Round Valley Recreation Area receives consistent praise for its clarity. "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 than the well water."
What you should know
Bear precautions: Required at all sites. The region has a significant black bear population requiring proper food storage. "There are a lot of bear warnings here so that gave us a bit of pause with our three little boys," notes a visitor to Mahlon Dickerson Reservation. Bears are most active at dawn and dusk during summer months.
Site terrain challenges: Pack accordingly. Many campgrounds feature uneven, rocky terrain requiring careful tent placement. "The sites are hit or miss in terms of comfort, some have large, flat, clear spaces for multiple tents, some you have to wedge a tent to avoid rocks," explains a camper at Jenny Jump State Forest.
Limited cell service: Plan communications. Coverage is spotty throughout the region, especially in valleys and ravines. "It's like a black hole of signals there," according to one Panther Lake visitor who advised, "even though they say they have wifi, you can't hook up to it unless you are at the pavilion."
Environmental concerns: Spotted lanternfly. Many campgrounds restrict outside firewood to prevent spread of this invasive species. "You have to buy their wood you can't bring any in, they are trying to keep the lantern flies away. $5 bundle for 7 pieces."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Available at select locations. Great Divide Campground offers designated play areas among its amenities. "The common area, along with the pool, had a small soccer field and volleyball court. They also had scheduled activities for kids," shares a visitor who found the facilities well-maintained.
Wildlife education: Morning programs. Several dog friendly campgrounds near Brookside offer guided nature walks suitable for children 5-12. "The camp ground is connected to the wolf preserve so you can hear them howl if you listen," writes a parent who camped along a creek at Camp Taylor.
Swimming options: Consider water quality. Not all campground ponds are equally refreshing. "The lake is anything but refreshing," notes one camper about Camp Taylor's swimming area, while another reports, "The swimming pond is pleasant and great to cool off in."
Mini-golf and organized activities: Weekends only. Scheduled recreation typically runs Friday-Sunday during peak season. "Mini golf course is a fun distraction for a bit. There are great trails to hike to right from the campground as well as the Wolf Preserve."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric/water common, sewer limited. Jenny Jump State Forest provides electric hookups but no sewage connections. According to one camper: "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."
Hose requirements: Variable distances. Some water connections require extended hose lengths to reach RV connections. "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."
Dump station access: Limited facilities. Several campgrounds offer dump stations near exit points rather than at individual sites. "Nice and easy little campground. FYI.... Campground rules do not list anything about alcohol on the website or the emailed rules given after reservation, however there is a alcohol prohibited sign as you enter."
Site privacy levels: Research locations. Swartswood State Park Campground offers varying levels of separation between sites. "There are about 50 camp sites but many of them, from 1 to 30ish are wide open with ZERO privacy. That said, it's great for large groups that book a few sites next to each other."
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