R
Russell A.
Scout
Scout100 Mile View Camping
What a great place. So unique! Love the view, and a great experience! There are no hook ups, so be prepared but if you are looking for the dispersed camping experience you have found it. What a gem!
Dog-Friendly Camping near Califon, NJ
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Round Valley State Park Campground offers primitive wilderness campsites accessible by boat or hiking trails, accommodating pets throughout its facilities. Sites can be reached via a challenging 3-6 mile hike or by paddling across the reservoir, with numbered waterfront sites marked for boaters. The trails leading to campsites feature uneven terrain with rocky sections, making proper hiking boots essential for those traveling with dogs. Campers report the sites are well-maintained with fire rings and picnic tables, though they vary significantly in quality and levelness. The crystalline reservoir provides a scenic backdrop, though swimming is technically prohibited but often overlooked after ranger hours.
Voorhees State Park Campground provides pet-friendly accommodations with both standard campsites and cabins that welcome dogs. The campground features well-maintained hiking trails ideal for dog walking, with recreational areas including playgrounds and an observatory adding interest for family camping. Water access is available at spigots throughout the grounds, though maintenance issues have been reported at times. Portable toilets and bathroom facilities receive mixed reviews regarding cleanliness. The park's location offers a convenient escape in the NYC metro area, with cabin accommodations providing a more comfortable option for those camping with dogs during cooler seasons. Wildlife frequently roams through the surrounding areas, providing natural entertainment but requiring proper pet management to avoid encounters.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Califon (126)
1. Round Valley State Park Campground
"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."
2. Mountainview Campground
"When we got to the campsite and checked in, there was a chicken right outside the camp office, which my dog seemed to appreciate most!"
"Close by to a couple of nice state parks. Cute sheep and goats that wander about during the day! Sweet little spot, we'll definitely be back!"
3. Jenny Jump State Forest
"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."
"Hikes close by. Other campers friendly. Dog friendly on a leash."
4. Driftstone Campground
"Pet friendly. We love it at Driftstone!"
"Driftstone is set on a beautiful location on the Delaware River. River Road on which it is located, is picturesque and quiet enough to run, walk or bike on."
Check Availabilityfrom $64 - $74 / night
5. Stephens State Park Campground
"We drove through here thinking we’d stay a night, but saw the “no pets” in the list of rules and didn’t stay."
"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"
6. Voorhees State Park Campground
"The pit latrines were clean, the water spigots worked fine, and there was plenty of wildlife to see roam through the surrounding areas. It was home away from home."
"There are many things to do close by too like the observatory, Round Valley beach, Grounds for Art, etc. We all really enjoyed ourselves and plan on returning."
7. Camp Taylor Campground
"Positives: sites are decent sized with fire pits and picnic tables. easy access to hiking, convenient to a beautiful vineyard, peaceful region, and the most amazing wolf preserve is right next to you. "
"They were knowledgeable about the surrounding towns, their campground, and basically everything nature related. This was our very first night camping in an RV (we were renters at the time)."
Check Availabilityfrom $33 - $42 / night
8. Panther Lake Camping Resort
"Very kid and pet friendly, lake to fish and kayak on, lots of activities, great pool and awesome hot tub."
"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."
9. Great Divide Campground
"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."
"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. We found plenty of trails to hike with our two dogs."
10. Camp Carr Campground
"Both times it was a positive experience. Excellent view of the South Branch and extremely relaxing. Only negative was the rest rooms closed sometime soon after the day camps let out."
"We’re total newbs but we had a great time parked next to the raritan river. Spot 21 was open on the one side since they weren’t allowing tents during Covid."
Check Availabilityfrom $37 / night
Drive Time
- 52 min from Allentown, PA
- 56 min from Trenton, NJ
- 1 hr 6 min from New York, NY
- 1 hr 14 min from Philadelphia, PA
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Califon, NJ
95 Photos of 126 Califon Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Round Valley State Park Campground
Mountainview Campground
Driftstone Campground
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Panther Lake Camping ResortJ
Great Divide CampgroundJ
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Camp Taylor Campground
Swartswood State Park Campground
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Mountain Vista CampgroundE
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Califon, NJ
1134 Reviews of 126 Califon Campgrounds
Nancy W.
LegendHickory Run State Park Campground
Peaceful State Park Camping in the Fall
This is a large campground with a wide array of campsites so be careful attention when you book online, especially if you have a pet because some sites are not pet-friendly. Some are 50-amp full hook-up and some are primitive with no hook-ups.
There is a nice nature center with interesting interpretive exhibits and lots of informational brochures including ones about the hiking trails, bears, scat and tracks of local animals, and fishing. Our site was at the edge of the campground and backed up to Route 534 which resulted in a bit of road noise at our site. Other than the road noise the campground was pretty quiet and was not very crowded when we camped there in October.
Not all sites are level and we happened to book one that was not and we had to live with a slant for our stay. The roads in the park are gravel/dirt and since it rained the day we arrived the roads were a muddy mess which made the roads slippery and there were lots of potholes. Unfortunately, some campers were disrespectful and left bags of trash in the fire pit and scattered around their site which was totally unnecessary because there were dumpsters plenty of dumpsters in the campground. Since we camped at Hickory Run late in the season, there were no camp hosts and the trash never got picked up.
The campground is open from mid-April to mid-December; however, the shower facilities and dump station are not available after the third week of October so plan accordingly. We really like the hiking trails which are of varying degrees of difficulty and lengths. The Hawk Falls is a nice easy walk (1.4 miles round-trip) to a waterfall but is extremely popular so don’t think you will be admiring the falls alone. The parking lot at this trail head fills up fast so you better get there early if you want to get a spot.
You can enter the park from two different directions. If you have a big-rig, it is best to approach from the east side. We made the mistake of coming in from the west side as we dropped down from I-80 and came down 534 and the road was really windy with no shoulder. Luckily, there was very little traffic so we could go 10 mph and safely navigate the roads.
Be aware alcohol is not allowed in PA state parks. This park does allow hunting in certain sections of the park. The no-hunting areas are clearly marked with white no hunting signs on trees and you can also pick up a brochure from the office that designates hunting and no-hunting sections.
- MMichael M.Scout
Turkey Swamp Park
Water/power at the campsite, and and centrally located dump station. Lots of trees and nice separation of sites
Stuart K.LegendWashington Crossing State Park - TEMP CLOSED FOR 2024
Revolutionary History near Delaware River
Nestled 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!
- Stuart K.Legend
Lowe's - W Windsor
Upscale Parking Paradise at This Home Fixer-Upper
Located 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!
Tony F.
Guide100 Mile View Camping
The best views
This is a hidden gem, as close to dispersed camping you can get with dirt, gravel roads, large stone fire pits, a amazing views with the added benefit of a five gallon jug of non potable water and very clean port-a-potties. The owner regularly patrols the site and makes sure everything is okay.
Maria Mercedes M.LegendRound Valley State Park Campground
Peaceful Wilderness Escape for Adventurous Families
There'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!
Roger V.
TravelerBake Oven Knob
solid parking place for vans and RVs. road is dirt gravel but not terrible. nice hike nearby
Edwin R.ScoutCheesequake State Park Campground
Park uses county cops to shut down park by 9pm.
On 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.
Guide to Califon
Camping near Califon, New Jersey, sits in the rolling hills of Hunterdon County, with elevations ranging from 400 to 800 feet above sea level. The region's forests contain oak, maple, and hickory trees that provide natural shade for most campsites. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F while spring and fall can see overnight lows in the 40s.
What to Do
Fishing opportunities: Camp Carr Campground offers sites directly along the South Branch of the Raritan River. "Excellent view of the South Branch and extremely relaxing," notes one visitor. The river is stocked with trout, requiring a fishing permit for anglers.
Observatory access: At Voorhees State Park Campground, campers can take advantage of the on-site observatory. "We stayed 2 nights in Cabin Z for our anniversary getaway and we loved having the whole place to ourselves," writes one reviewer, highlighting the unique stargazing options available.
Wildlife viewing: Camp Taylor Campground features direct access to the Lakota Wolf Preserve. "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," explains a camper who regularly visits the area.
What Campers Like
Private wooded sites: Mountainview Campground earns praise for its secluded spots. "Our site was fully private (could not see or hear neighbors). Beautifully secluded and quiet. Pretty rare for campgrounds in NJ," notes a reviewer who appreciated the natural setting.
Well-maintained trails: Jenny Jump State Forest offers hiking directly from the campground. "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," writes one visitor who enjoyed the trail system.
Water activities: Many campers appreciate access to the Delaware River from nearby campgrounds. "The crystalline reservoir provides a scenic backdrop," and "the water is crystal clear," note multiple reviewers about the water bodies in the region.
What You Should Know
Limited cell service: Several campgrounds in the region have spotty reception. At one campground, a reviewer mentioned it's "like a black hole of signals there," requiring campers to plan communications accordingly.
Reservation timing: Stephens State Park Campground and other state parks in the area book up quickly during summer months. "Reserved sites were marked, so maybe you just pick an empty unreserved site and a ranger will come collect the fees," notes one visitor about the check-in process.
Bathroom facilities: Facility quality varies significantly between campgrounds. While some have "clean Bathrooms," others report that "The portable toilets are disgusting" or that "bathrooms were struggling with the plumbing but were fairly clean." Best to check recent reviews before booking.
Tips for Camping with Families
Kid-friendly campgrounds: Great Divide Campground receives high marks from families. "Great family run campground. Owners are a blast. Most sites are level. Nice small lake with boats to use. Nice small beach. Lots of weekend activities," writes one camper who found it ideal for children.
Playgrounds and recreation: Several campgrounds offer playgrounds and recreational areas. "There is a playground and volleyball court" at one location, while another reviewer notes "sites had room to move and it was quiet and peaceful. Kids had lots of fun on the free kayaks and pool."
Pet-friendly options: For pet friendly camping near Califon, New Jersey, check for designated pet sites. One visitor notes that "some sites are designated as pet sites," while another mentions, "We 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."
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: RVers should research site dimensions carefully. "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," warns one camper about navigation challenges.
Hookup availability: Water and electric hookups vary between campgrounds. "The power station was well intact with 15/20, 30, and 50amp," notes one RVer, while others mention limitations like "Sites are water and 30 amp electric only no sewer so I recommend bringing your own portable dump tank."
Site levelness: Terrain can present challenges in this hilly region. "Our spot was #27 and pretty spacious. The landing for the camper was even with gravel and the rest of the site was mostly even," reports one RVer who found suitable conditions.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Califon, NJ is Round Valley State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 26 reviews.
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