Round Valley State Park Campground offers primitive wilderness camping near Clinton, New Jersey at an elevation of approximately 700 feet. The reservoir spans 2,350 acres and is 180 feet deep, serving as the centerpiece for wilderness camping experiences. Visitors should note that while the area has beautiful scenery, access requires significant effort with either a boat-in or minimum 3-mile hike approach to reach any campsite.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing at Round Valley State Park Campground: The reservoir provides excellent paddling opportunities with crystal-clear water. "We paddled in, the water is very clean and crystal clear," reports Riley K., who appreciated the well-maintained sites and cooking amenities.
Wolf watching tours at Camp Taylor Campground: Located near the Lakota Wolf Preserve with discounted tours for campers. "There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance. It's one of our favorite places to camp," shares Julie F., who enjoyed the private wooded RV spots.
Rock exploration at Ringing Rocks: Bring a hammer to create musical sounds from the unique boulder field. "Ringing rocks, which are a natural rock formation which when hit with a hammer the rocks make a metallic ringing sound hence the name of the park," explains Jonathan R.
What campers like
Secluded wooded sites at Mountainview Campground: Many sites offer privacy among mature trees. "Very wooded and delightfully devoid of golf carts. Saw wild turkeys and deer in the morning," notes Christina H., who appreciated the campground's peaceful atmosphere and proximity to natural attractions.
Riverside relaxation at Camp Carr: Campsites alongside the South Branch of the Raritan River. "Excellent view of the South Branch and extremely relaxing," shares Jim B., who appreciated the scenic waterfront camping just 15 miles from home.
Stargazing opportunities: The area offers relatively dark skies for the region. "Great spot for stargazing. Owners are very nice," mentions Scott A., who enjoyed his stay at one of Mountainview Campground's primitive sites.
What you should know
Water availability varies at primitive sites: Check pump status before your trip. "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," advises James R.
Restricted swim areas: Not all waterfront locations permit swimming. "The reservoir can turn into the Bermuda Triangle at any moment—be careful," warns Janine W. about Round Valley conditions.
Varying site quality at Driftstone Campground: "Sites are all large, and easy to get in and out of. Sites include water, electric and cable. There is an inexpensive pump out service available daily," notes Kathy G., highlighting the practical amenities.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds operate April through October. "Spent many weekends here and met great friends," shares Kathie M. about her experiences at Ringing Rocks Family Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife education opportunities: Take advantage of nature programs. "The wolf preserve at the same location was just amazing - we learned so much and could hear the wolves howl from the campsite," shares Dina S. about Camp Taylor's unique attraction.
Playground access at Jenny Jump State Forest: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "Great place to get away for the weekend with the family!!!" exclaims Fransheska A., who appreciated the dog-friendly policies and proximity to hiking trails.
Cabin options for beginners: For those new to camping, cabins provide comfort. "This is the first time we decided to forgo tent camping and reserve a shelter at a state park. We had a much better experience than we were expecting!" shares Dwight D. about Jenny Jump's accommodations.
Swimming facilities: Several campgrounds offer swimming options. "The swimming pond is pleasant and great to cool off in," notes Kathy G. about Camp Taylor's amenities that appeal to families.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookups at dog friendly campgrounds near Clinton: Most offer water and electric only. "Sites are water and 30 amp electric only no sewer so I recommend bringing your own portable dump tank," advises melissa N., who has visited Camp Carr for nearly 50 years.
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain. "Coming in from the wrong road could lead you to a hairpin turn and steep hill," warns Jim G. about Driftstone Campground.
Site selection strategy: Research campsite locations carefully. "We prefer even numbered sites as the hook ups for odd number are on the front side of the trailer unless the site is long enough to pull into or you have a motor home," shares melissa N. about Camp Carr's layout.
Legend
