Camping options near Far Hills, New Jersey span elevations from 200 to 1,200 feet across the region's rolling hills and valley terrain. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows regularly dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds in this region sit within hardwood forests dominated by oak, maple and hickory trees with thick undergrowth that provides natural site separation.
What to do
Fishing access points: Round Valley Recreation Area offers trout fishing in its reservoir, which is 180 feet deep in the middle. According to Stuart K., "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."
Hiking trails: Jenny Jump State Forest features several marked trails with varying difficulty levels. "The hike up in the cushetunk mountain is really nice as well. If you're looking for a getaway without doing backcountry planning this is the place," notes James R., who appreciated the accessible wilderness experience.
Observatory visits: Voorhees State Park Campground houses an observatory that's open for stargazing on select evenings. Jocelyn G. mentions the park has "well maintained hiking trails, camp sites, with play grounds and an observatory" making it suitable for educational camping trips.
Wildlife viewing: At Mountainview Campground, Christina H. reports, "Shortly after we settled into our tent did we hear foxes fighting right outside our tent, the snorts of deer, and there were bats right above us all night making noise!" The relatively undeveloped nature of this area supports diverse wildlife populations.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Driftstone Campground on the Delaware River provides water access from many campsites. Kathy G. explains, "The sites along the river would be my first choice, but if you have children, being near the playground might be a good selection as well."
Clean facilities: When looking for pet friendly camping near Far Hills, New Jersey, bathroom cleanliness matters. Kelsey K. found Jenny Jump State Forest met this need: "The bathroom/shower was only a few steps away which was convenient and clean. The only problem we encountered was that there wasn't a store close by for ice or other essentials."
Secluded tent pads: Great Divide Campground received praise for its site layout. Julie shared, "The sites could be very close depending upon where u go. We had r6 and we had neighbor on one side. If the other spot was occupied then it might be a little too close for us. But there are some other sites that def are separate."
Night sky views: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers dark sky conditions for stargazing. Scott A. at Mountainview Campground confirms this regional feature: "Very clean and quite. Bath stalls and showers are basic but clean. Great spot for stargazing. Owners are very nice."
What you should know
Primitive camping logistics: At Round Valley State Park Campground, sites require planning. Stuart K. advises, "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."
Parking restrictions: Some campgrounds limit vehicles at campsites. Christina L. notes about Mahlon Dickerson Reservation: "The sites are very large and I suggest site 7. It is on a hill so have a hand truck or a few people to carry stuff. Trust me it is worth it and I think it's the best tent site they have."
Highway noise: Several campgrounds experience road noise despite feeling remote. At Jenny Jump State Forest, Jocelyn G. mentioned "my only complaint is that the noise from the highway was quite loud at night," a common issue for camping options near the more developed areas surrounding Far Hills.
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds in the region operate from April through October. Camp Carr has specific timing: "Have been coming to Camp Carr for nearly 50 years. All the sites are along the river so the view and peaceful sound of the river are wonderful. Summer camping is nice but it is owned and operated by the YMCA so there is summer day camp held Monday - Friday," explains Melissa N.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Great Divide Campground offers organized children's events. Scott N. shared that there are "Lots of weekend activities. Will be back in the future," making it suitable for families seeking pet friendly camping experiences near Far Hills.
Water recreation options: Panther Lake Camping Resort has multiple water features for children. Jojo P. reports: "We went on 4th of July weekend so the place was packed. We were able to get a secluded spot in the woods which was great! 2 teenage girls had a blast in the lake and riding their bikes around."
Site selection strategy: Families should consider proximity to bathrooms. Barbara S. at Stephens State Park Campground found: "The campground was wonderful. Our site:29 was plenty big enough for a large tent and a hammock. We could have easily fit another large tent. It was set back from the road and shady."
Noise considerations: Depending on your family's sensitivity to noise, select carefully. One camper at Stephens State Park noted: "Walking the trails are beautiful however you can clearly hear the highways, planes flying to the nearby airport and oh yes the train."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Panther Lake Camping Resort offers full hookups for RVs, but with limitations. April L. cautions: "Only a handful of full hook up sites surrounded by seasonal cottages. Other area of the place had water and electric but it would be hard to get in/out of if it had rained a lot as it was all on soft grass."
Leveling challenges: The rolling terrain can make leveling difficult. At Mountainview Campground, Sarah reports: "Our spot was #27 and pretty spacious. The showers were free and clean with hot water and decent pressure. The landing for the camper was even with gravel and the rest of the site was mostly even."
RV size limitations: Many campgrounds in the area have tight turns and limited space. Vanessa K. at Camp Carr Campground explains: "2nd timers here with a popup. 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."
Dump station access: Jim G. at Driftstone Campground warns: "No sewer hookups and the dump station is difficult to get in and out with larger rigs. There was a feeder road just behind us so there was some traffic noise."
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