Northern New Jersey's forested highlands near Caldwell offer terrain ranging from 500 to 1,800 feet in elevation, creating diverse camping microclimates through all four seasons. Bear encounters are common in this region, with black bears active from April through November. The state parks and county reservations maintain designated camping areas with specific fire regulations that differ from surrounding states.
What to do
Hiking to Headley Overlook: At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, trails connect to impressive viewpoints with moderate difficulty. "My fiancé, dog, and I have been going here for over 2 years and we love it. We always hike to the lake here, it's a very easy hike and also very peaceful," notes one visitor.
Fishing for trout: Round Valley State Park Campground offers access to the 2,350-acre reservoir stocked with trout. A camper mentions, "Well maintained campsites. Fire pit had a medal grate to cook on. Beautiful area. we paddled in, the water is very clean and crystal clear."
Stargazing opportunities: The higher elevation areas have less light pollution than surrounding urban areas. "During the day the parking lots filled up and there was some overflow parking for day-hikers across the road," reports a visitor to Jenny Jump State Forest, which houses an astronomical observatory open on select evenings.
Kayaking on Swartswood Lake: The 500-acre lake features protected coves ideal for paddlers of all skill levels. "The lake is beautiful! Great for swimming and fishing. There are several trail hikes that you can do from the campsite," according to one camper who visited Swartswood State Park.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Camp Glen Gray offers secluded camping spots with natural buffers. "Great Camp!!! 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," notes a camper.
Accessible glamping close to Caldwell, New Jersey: Most luxury camping sites require minimal walking from parking areas. "Very clean and quiet. Website lists water hook ups at long distances but they have hose reels to help with that," says one Mahlon Dickerson visitor about the site infrastructure.
On-site amenities: Great Divide Campground balances nature with conveniences. "Nice family run campground. Owners are a blast. Most sites are level. Some areas are a little steeper then I would like to set up on, but that's me. Nice small lake with boats to use," shares one visitor.
Tent platforms: Several campgrounds provide elevated wooden platforms that keep tents dry during rainfall. "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," notes a visitor to Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
What you should know
Bear safety protocols: Black bears are active throughout the region. "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!" reports a camper from Swartswood State Park.
Seasonal operation: Most glamping sites near Caldwell close between late October and April. "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," notes a camper from Stokes State Forest.
Water access variations: Some sites require bringing your own drinking water. "There is a pump for potable water and vault/pit toilets. Trails are well-kept. Definitely a great place to start with getting into backpacking and enjoying nature," mentions a Round Valley visitor.
Cell coverage limitations: Reception is spotty in many camping areas. "And good luck getting cell service! its like a black hole of signals there," reports one camper from Panther Lake Camping Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Panther Lake Camping Resort offers multiple activity areas for children. "Fun camping place to books groups. Very kid and pet friendly, lake to fish and kayak on, lots of activities, great pool and awesome hot tub," shares a visitor.
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer ranger-led programs on weekends. "We spent two nights camping with my niece and this campground was perfect. The site was maybe a 50-yard walk-in and we barely heard anyone around us and had a real wilderness feel," notes a visitor to High Point State Park.
Night noise considerations: Sound carries in mountain camping areas. "The campgrounds were very big and spread out and the campsites have their own space so you can enjoy quiet at night. Each site had a water spout and electric plug in," reports a Great Divide Campground camper.
Kid-friendly glamping: Luxury tent accommodations often include electricity for charging devices. "This is a beautiful campground with much to do around the grounds themselves. They had live music which was actually really good!!! A reggae band," notes a Great Divide visitor about entertainment options.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: High Point State Park Campground offers varying levels of service. "Big campground, lots of sites, nice pool, big community hot tub, boating is great, good fishing, nice playground, basketball court and great amenities," notes a visitor to a nearby facility.
Site leveling: Many campsites require blocking for level positioning. "Easy to navigate our 38 ft. RV. Easy to dump and fill. Peaceful. Close to train to N.Y. City," reports a Mahlon Dickerson Reservation visitor.
Water connection lengths: Some sites require extended hoses. "Our site (15) said 75' however the 50' hose reel made it to our rv connection. Trash dumpster is an easy walk and the dump station has a flush hose point," shares another Mahlon Dickerson camper.
Limited big rig access: Many forest campgrounds have tight turns and low clearance. "This county park has large, wooded campsites with electric and water. It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities," notes a Mahlon Dickerson visitor about site conditions.
