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Best Campgrounds near Butler, NJ

879 Reviews

Campgrounds near Butler, New Jersey feature a range of mixed-use facilities within the forested landscapes of northern New Jersey. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provides spacious, wooded campsites with electric and water hookups for RVs, along with tent platforms for primitive camping experiences. Camp Glen Gray offers rustic cabins and tent sites surrounded by hiking trails, while more primitive options exist along the Stonetown Circular Trail where free dispersed camping is available. Most established sites are within 20-30 minutes of Butler, with options extending into nearby New York state parks.

The camping season generally runs from April through October, with several campgrounds like Wawayanda State Park operating from April 1 to October 31. Reservations are recommended for developed campgrounds, particularly on summer weekends. "The sites are spaced well and have a nice bonus of large fire rings set back in the woods a bit from the pad that you park on," noted one Mahlon Dickerson visitor. Bear activity is common in the region, so proper food storage is essential at all campsites. Winter camping options are limited, with only select parks like Stokes State Forest offering year-round availability. Roads to campgrounds are generally paved and accessible by standard vehicles, though some primitive sites require hiking in with equipment.

Campers consistently praise the privacy and natural settings of area campgrounds. The primitive sites along Stonetown Circular Trail receive positive reviews for their secluded locations, with one site offering mountain views and another situated beside a flowing stream. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation earns high marks for its clean facilities and spacious sites, with reviews highlighting the "large, wooded campsites" and "miles of hiking trails." Families should note that some campgrounds have limited recreational activities for children. Several developed campgrounds provide access to lakes and ponds, with hiking opportunities directly from campsites. While most campgrounds prohibit alcohol, Camp Glen Gray is an exception that allows it, according to campground data.

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Best Camping Sites Near Butler, New Jersey (140)

    1. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation

    18 Reviews
    Jefferson, NJ
    12 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. Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park

    41 Reviews
    Pomona, NY
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 947-2792

    $17 - $20 / night

    "Drive-in tent campgrounds. Adequate restroom facilities sprinkled amongst tent sites. Some campsites have raised platforms. All sites have picnic tables and fire ring with flip-top grill."

    "The grounds are just steps away from Welch Lake, offering a lifeguard monitored sandy beach which is open during the summer season for swimming, fishing, and small boat craft further out."

    3. Camp Glen Gray

    2 Reviews
    Oakland, NJ
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (201) 327-7234

    $5 - $200 / night

    "One rustic place with many hiking trails to choose from. Camp also provides trucking of gear weather permitting. No vehicles allowed to drive through camp. Trading Post for treats and other items."

    "Lots of hiking trails. Trading post is well stocked and volunteers are always friendly and able to answer any questions"

    4. Panther Lake Camping Resort

    17 Reviews
    Andover, NJ
    21 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."

    5. Great Divide Campground

    16 Reviews
    Andover, NJ
    22 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 $$"

    6. Sebago Cabin Camp — Harriman State Park

    6 Reviews
    Sloatsburg, NY
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 429-2039

    $74 - $130 / night

    "It is a step up from cabin camping. They also have a beach behind it."

    "This place is only an hour away from NYC with so much to do and see. These cabins are VERY rustic, four walls, a cot, and a fridge."

    7. Wawayanda State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    New Milford, NJ
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 853-4462

    "It is off the beaten path without any running water or showers within walking distance."

    "Fantastic loop hike near some amazing hidden lakes. One downside is there were obviously people who had visited and didn't understand what LEAVE NO TRACE means. We'll bring a trashbag next time."

    8. Stonetown Circular trail Primitive #1

    1 Review
    Ringwood, NJ
    6 miles

    "Stonetown Circular trail is a 11 mile medium/high difficulty loop trail. This is the first of two primitive sites along the trail. The trailhead is across the street from a large parking lot."

    9. Stokes State Forest

    27 Reviews
    Layton, NJ
    27 miles
    Website

    $7 - $55 / night

    "It was a solid choice: private but close to the toilet and water. Some sites located around the opposite side of the ring back up to a babbling brook. The rushing water will soothe you to sleep."

    "We stayed at the campsite at Lake Ocquittunk Area. Campsite was very spacious and had a platform where we were able to fit two tents. There was plenty of space on the site for more tents."

    10. Stonetown Circular trail Primitive #2

    1 Review
    Ringwood, NJ
    8 miles

    "Stonetown Circular trail is a 11 mile medium/high difficulty loop trail. This is the second of two primitive sites along the trail. The trailhead is across the street from a large parking lot."

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Recent Camping Photos near Butler, NJ

700 Photos of 140 Butler Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Butler, NJ

879 Reviews of 140 Butler Campgrounds

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Liberty Harbor RV Park

    friendly staff at the office

    Gave us a welcome folder with lots of helpful info, can walk to get food up the street, short drive to Liberty Park where we got out and walked at night to admire the city skyline and Statue of Liberty at night. They have hook ups and big laundry room.

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • Janine D.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Kittatinny Campground

    Not worth the money or time

    If we could rate this a 0 we would.  We were expecting a weekend of kayaking and relaxation when in fact we got an overcrowded, noisy and dirty weekend that was overpriced.  I will give the river a 10, it was beautiful, welcoming and refreshing in the warm sun.  We arrived at about 8:00 in the evening with several camps blaring different genre of music, not a problem, considering we still like it as loud as possible sometimes, but it didn't end at quiet time, it continue until well over midnight.  The campsites are so close together it was like being packed into a sardine can.  The campsite across the pathway didn't have their dog on a lead and we woke up with a pile of dog excrement next to our trailer, that was a howdy-do morning for ya.  We were super excited to take our kayaks out on the river, paddle up stream and float down with our pup, but we were told that we couldn't launch from this location.  (What kind of crap is that)  This location was a receiving location only and "absolutely no launching" was allowed.  If you are looking for a party spot to come with your friends, this is definitely the place for you!  If your looking for a chill place to camp next to the river where you can tube, kayak and enjoy your peaceful weekend, this is NOT the place.  The amount of money we spent for 2 nights was outrageous for such a sucky weekend, will not be going back!

Guide to Butler

Camping near Butler, New Jersey, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Many campgrounds, like Worthington State Forest Campground, have great trails. One visitor mentioned, "The trails are nice and well marked," making it easy to enjoy the scenery.
  • Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, Pickerel Point Campground is a great spot. A camper shared, "The site was well shaded for most of the day," perfect for a relaxing day by the water.
  • Wildlife Watching: Campgrounds like Stokes State Forest are known for their wildlife. One reviewer said, "We saw lots of bear scat, and passed a super chill doe and her two fawns casually grazing next to the trail."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Beaver Pond Campground noted, "I enjoy the beach/lakefront, and regularly cleaned bathroom and shower facilities."
  • Privacy: Many campers enjoy the spacious sites. One camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park mentioned, "Some sites are grouped in open areas. These lack privacy," highlighting the importance of choosing the right spot.
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner offer tons of activities. A parent shared, "This place is so much fun. My whole family loved the activities."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds have strict noise policies. A camper at High Point State Park experienced issues, stating, "We received complaints about the volume of our music and karaoke around 7 pm."
  • Site Accessibility: Not all sites allow easy access for vehicles. One camper at High Point State Park mentioned, "We had to leave the car on the road and carry all of our gear down a 200 ft long pathway covered in boulders."
  • Ticks and Bugs: Some areas have tick issues. A visitor at High Point State Park warned, "There was a small gravel area because of how many ticks there were."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the Right Campground: Look for family-friendly spots like Camp Taylor Campground. A family shared, "The kids immediately took to exploring the creek and woods behind our campsite."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. One camper at Pickerel Point Campground suggested, "Take a hike around Conservation Island. It’s very flat and an easy walk/hike."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for the kids. A camper at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner mentioned, "The camp store had a few necessities and importantly for us, frozen treats."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Tobyhanna State Park noted, "Camp sites are generously sized, good spacing between sites and heavily treed."
  • Be Prepared for Rough Roads: Some campgrounds have bumpy access roads. A camper at Stokes State Forest mentioned, "The roads can be a bit rough, so be cautious."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Stock up on essentials before arriving. A visitor at Camp Taylor Campground said, "The facilities were clean and well-maintained, but it’s always good to have your own supplies."

Camping near Butler, New Jersey, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the prices for camping at Butler?

Camping prices near Butler vary by location and amenities. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers sites with water and electric hookups at approximately $25-35 per night for county residents and slightly higher for non-residents. The more upscale Great Divide Campground near Newton has higher rates, typically ranging from $45-75 per night depending on hookups and season, with premium lakeside sites commanding higher prices. Most state parks in the area charge $20-30 per night for basic sites, with additional fees for amenities like electricity.

Where can I find camping near Butler?

Several excellent campgrounds are located within a short drive of Butler. High Point State Park Campground offers beautiful lakeside sites with hiking and biking trails accessible directly from your campsite. Stokes State Forest provides multiple camping areas including the more primitive Steam Mill Camping Area with 27 sites suitable for tents or small trailers. For those seeking water activities, Stephens State Park Campground offers a lovely setting, though some sites prohibit pets and larger RVs may have difficulty navigating the campground.

What camping is available near Butler, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, Butler, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 140 campgrounds and RV parks near Butler, NJ and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Butler, NJ?

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

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Butler, NJ.

What parks are near Butler, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Butler, NJ that allow camping, notably Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Gateway National Recreation Area.

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