Leo C.
Scout
ScoutWinding Hills Park
Nice but dated
Nice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
Camping near Denville, NJ
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Campgrounds near Denville, New Jersey include several established options within a 30-mile radius. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation stands as one of the highest-rated camping areas in the region with a 4.7-star average rating, offering tent sites, RV spots with hookups, and cabin accommodations. The broader area encompasses diverse camping experiences ranging from state forest campgrounds like Stokes State Forest to private camping resorts such as Panther Lake Camping Resort and Great Divide Campground. Most locations support both tent and RV camping, with several providing cabin rentals and glamping options for visitors seeking more comfortable accommodations.
Camping in this region operates primarily from April through October, with most campgrounds closing for winter. Many established sites require advance reservations, which become particularly important during summer weekends when facilities reach capacity quickly. The terrain surrounding Denville features wooded sites with varying levels of privacy, typically situated within the hills and forests of northern New Jersey. Water and electric hookups are available at most RV-friendly locations, though some state parks offer more primitive options without utility connections. Cell service can be inconsistent in the more remote camping areas. As one camper noted about Mahlon Dickerson: "Very clean and quiet. Website lists water hook ups at long distances but they have hose reels to help with that... Nice and easy little campground."
Campers consistently praise the wooded settings and spacious sites at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, which receives particularly strong reviews for its natural surroundings and well-maintained facilities. Several visitors highlighted the hiking opportunities directly accessible from campgrounds, with trail networks connecting to lakes, ponds and scenic overlooks. While some camping areas feature shower facilities and flush toilets, others provide more basic amenities. Bear awareness is necessary throughout the region, with multiple campgrounds posting warnings about proper food storage. During peak season, the more popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially those with water access or premium amenities. A review of Mahlon Dickerson mentioned: "Located in the Skylands of New Jersey, Mahlon Dickerson Campground 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."
Best Campgrounds near Denville (152)
1. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
"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. Panther Lake Camping Resort
"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."
3. 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."
"All the positive reviews about this place are accurate! Beautiful, clean, well maintained, lots to do, great value for your $$"
4. Stokes State Forest
"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."
from $7 - $55 / night
Check Availability5. Swartswood State Park Campground
"We booked a campsite at the far end of the loop by the lake, which looked to be the right spot for some privacy, but a longer walk to the bathroom and water spigot."
"The campsites are slightly separated from the lake (maybe 8 min walk to lake) but that also means you aren’t bothered by day guests. The lake is beautiful! Great for swimming and fishing."
6. 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."
7. Jenny Jump State Forest
"The bathroom/shower was only a few steps away which was convenient and clean."
"All the sites are set up nearby the office where people are all day should you ever need anything. The workers are super friendly and regularly make rounds of the grounds."
8. Stephens State Park Campground
"There are dumpsters but no recycling (not sure if New Jersey segregates recycling after pickup). ATT had some reception but we forgot to check the Verizon phone. "
"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"
9. Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park
"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."
from $17 - $20 / night
Check Availability10. Worthington State Forest Campground — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
"Full bathrooms are located behind campsite #15 (clean flushing bathrooms, with motion-sensed lighting, showers, dishwashing sink), but easily accessible from campsites nearby."
"Bathrooms with flush toilets are conveniently located centrally every so often."
Drive Time
- 38 min from New York, NY
- 41 min from Kiryas Joel, NY
- 1 hr 10 min from Trenton, NJ
- 1 hr 13 min from Allentown, PA
Recent Camping Photos near Denville, NJ
489 Photos of 152 Denville Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
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Recent Reviews near Denville, NJ
950 Reviews of 152 Denville Campgrounds
Thomas B.
RangerNeversink River Resort
Cool Riverside Campground
I'll start by saying this is a site-specific review (C20). I booked using Campspot and didn't select my own site but put in the criteria for my rig (30ft TT plus truck) and got a 50A back-in spot. The site was big but abnormal. Between the picnic table placement and the trees, I ended up right around 50ft from the electric and water, and the water spigot was so low I could barely put on my camco filter. With the uneven dirt roads, I had to unhitch with my truck in a gigantic puddle (lol). The site was otherwise fine aside from my gate code not working on Day 2. As for the campground as a whole, I thought it was pretty unique place by the river that offered several good amenities and activities, like downstream river tubing, an arcade, bathroom/shower facilities, a small store, little trails, and more. I would say this place borders the more primitive side.
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.
- eedgar V.Scout
Black Bear RV Park
Super clean and quiet
Past reviews has mentioned that the office seems to be closed often, while I found that to be true I had no reason to contact anyone. This is definitely one of the cleanest quiets site I’ve ever visited
- KKelly B.
GuideStephens State Park Campground
Great last min getaway
Booked the day before—even on the holiday weekend! 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 for a bit of extra coverage.
The staff was friendly and helpful, they said it was the busiest they’ve seen the campground all year (there were lots of large groups but everyone seemed to settle down by 9:30pm
Poison ivy was EVERYWHERE at our site so make sure to stick to the open areas and the paths. Lots of families around, we felt very safe Bathrooms were fine—it was my impression they’re usually cleaner but the high traffic of the weekend left a bit to be desired, (lots of families around=dirty diapers in the bathroom trash bin) but it’s camping! I’m not gonna argue w a flushing toilet!
- KKevin F.
TravelerTri-State RV Park
A place to stay in an area lacking campgrounds.
This area seems to be devoid of campgrounds except for this one. It’s basically just a large parking lot with hook ups. Completely open, which is great for Starlink. Bathrooms were slightly above average; fairly clean and places to hang clothes for your shower. Has a laundry but be sure to bring quarters. It is about 100 yards from the interstate so you’ll get a lot of noise and diesel exhaust fumes.
- Sue B.Ranger
Delaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA
Great off season camping
We camped here in our pop up for our Anniversary in November. We were impressed with the cleanliness and available amenities for the time of year we were camping in! Close proximity to DWG and PA AND NJ attractions.
- Sue B.Ranger
Pickerel Point Campground — Promised Land State Park
Great cabins!
We booked a cabin at the last minute and were pleasantly surprised that the cabin had heat and electricity! It was very close to the awesome heated bathroom also! We were also able to catch a beautiful sunset! Great camp all around!
- JJayTraveler
Delaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA
Large sites & friendly staff!
Another great experience. Sites were large. Staff was friendly with many different things for kids to do. Great base camp for local hikes.
Guide to Denville
Camping spots near Denville, New Jersey sit within the Highlands region at elevations between 500-1,000 feet, creating distinct seasonal changes with fall colors typically peaking in mid-October. Winter camping remains limited with most facilities closing from November through March, while summer weekends often reach capacity by Friday afternoon at popular locations.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: Stephens State Park Campground features riverside trails along the Musconetunk River with minimal elevation change, suitable for beginners. "There is a lot of hiking, mountain biking and fishing there. Great for a weekend get away," notes one camper about the park's recreation options.
Kayaking on reservoirs: Round Valley State Park Campground offers paddle-in camping to waterfront sites on New Jersey's deepest reservoir. "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," shares a camper who enjoyed the pristine waters.
Astronomy programs: Jenny Jump State Forest houses the United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey observatory with weekend stargazing events April-October. "This campground is a nice little hideaway not too far from the beaten path," explains a visitor who appreciated the park's relative seclusion despite some highway noise.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campers praise the secluded feeling at certain campgrounds. At Stokes State Forest, sites offer forest immersion: "Our site was set back from the road and shady. The bathrooms and showers were clean. The sink for dishes was clean and well maintained."
Affordable rates: Most state park campgrounds near Denville charge between $20-30 per night for tent sites. Beaver Pond Campground at Harriman State Park offers particularly good value: "Camping for just $15. This is an off-grid camping experience. You can use your generator at certain hours. They have a beach. Their staff is friendly."
Fishing opportunities: Trout fishing stands out as a popular activity in this region. "Sussex county is beautiful. Stokes is such a peaceful campground! We stay in the cabins. It's great to have the small kitchen when camping with the family. A must see campground," writes one reviewer who appreciated the stocked fishing waters.
What you should know
Bear awareness: Black bears remain active throughout the region, requiring proper food storage. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, campers note specific concerns: "There are a lot of bear warnings here so that gave us a bit of pause with our three little boys. 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."
Reservation timelines: State park campgrounds typically open reservations 11 months in advance, with holiday weekends filling within days of release. Weekend bookings often fill 2-3 months ahead during summer months.
Water access limitations: Some campgrounds restrict swimming or require designated swimming areas. At Round Valley, despite waterfront sites, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Panther Lake Camping Resort offers family-focused amenities including a playground, pool, and organized activities. "Great 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. Nice small beach."
Weekend activities: Many private campgrounds run scheduled programming for children. "They had live music which was actually really good! A reggae band. We found plenty of trails to hike with our two dogs. Staff were very helpful and kind," reports a visitor to Great Divide Campground about their entertainment options.
Security considerations: Most state parks have ranger patrols checking sites regularly. One camper at Swartswood State Park noted wildlife encounters: "The reason I give this campground two stars instead of one is because the bathroom and shower area was very clean, and I had my first bear encounter which was exciting. Three black bears strolled by the campsite next to ours in the early morning."
Tips from RVers
Water hose planning: At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, sites include water hookups that may require extra equipment: "The water hoses provided are plenty long. We didn't need to use our hose at all, just the filter. If you want to decompress and get out in the woods, this is a great spot."
Limited full-hookup options: Only a few campgrounds offer sewer connections. At Great Divide Campground, reservations for these premium sites open early: "Our site is a trailer site, it's perfect for the trusty old pop-up, and feels nice and roomy. Although no site offers electric or water hook up, camp amenities include: a moderately stocked store, public bath houses, a laundry facility, playground for the kids and camp-sinks with access to water."
Maneuvering challenges: Many campgrounds have narrow access roads unsuitable for larger rigs. "The campground as a whole and the individual sites are kind of tricky for bigger rigs. 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 a visitor to Stephens State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Denville, NJ?
What camping is available near Denville, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Denville, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 152 campgrounds and RV parks near Denville, NJ and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Denville, NJ?
Which is the most popular campground near Denville, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Denville, NJ is Mahlon Dickerson Reservation with a 4.6-star rating from 19 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Denville, NJ?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Denville, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Denville, NJ.
What parks are near Denville, NJ?
What parks are near Denville, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Denville, NJ that allow camping, notably Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Gateway National Recreation Area.
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