The Hamburg, New Jersey area offers diverse camping spots in the northwestern part of the state, where the elevation ranges from 400 to 1,800 feet above sea level. This region experiences distinct seasonal changes with warm summers and cold winters, making May through October the prime camping season. Most campgrounds in this area sit among rolling hills and hardwood forests that provide natural shade during summer camping trips.
What to do
Hiking and trail access: Stokes State Forest provides 21 marked trails covering over 63 miles, including 12 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Visitor E. M. V. notes, "Very comfortable site, quiet but still with plenty of amenities... There are trail heads near the campsites and longer trails, including access to the Appalachian Trail within a short 10-15 minute drive."
Swimming at local lakes: High Point State Park Campground offers swimming at Lake Marcia during summer months. Camper Justin P. shares, "We fit in a hike up to the Appalachian Trail from our campsite, swam at the pond (Lake Marcia), and got in a fishing session at Steeny Kill Lake."
Kayaking and fishing: Bring your own kayak or rent one at several parks. At Swartswood State Park Campground, you can launch from the campground's boat ramp. One camper notes, "The lake is great to kayak and fish, and the campsites are spacious and has bathrooms. Very clean and enjoyable."
What campers like
Natural water features: Campsites near streams, lakes, or rivers are popular choices. One visitor to Ocquittunk shared, "We stayed at site #T007... The site itself is huge and we were able to position our tent facing the lake, it was beautiful!"
Private wooded sites: Many campgrounds offer secluded spots with natural screening. A camper at Dingmans Campground reported, "The camp sites are very well kept an so spacious. Some have electric an water hook ups. The restrooms are kept very clean an are pretty much updated."
Seasonal activities: Great Divide Campground organizes weekend entertainment during summer. A camper mentioned, "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."
What you should know
Bear-safe camping: Multiple campgrounds in the region report bear activity. Josh S. from Stokes State Forest advises, "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes."
Bathroom and shower access: Facilities vary widely between parks. At High Point State Park, "Showers are at the day use area, from 10-5:30, no trailer dump, website says laundry, but apparently not," according to Grant M.
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds close during winter months, with varied opening dates. Camper W L. shares their winter experience, "Rented a cabin in November (#009) and again in December (#008) of 2021... The wood stove definitely heats the room up nicely. I went through two bundles of wood in one night, and could have used more in the morning."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with activities: Great Divide Campground offers multiple recreation options. As Jojo P. notes, "Sites had room to move and it was quiet and peaceful. Kids had lots of fun on the free kayaks and pool. Staff was friendly and helpful."
Consider cabin options: Many families prefer cabins for easier camping with young children. Amy B. recommends, "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."
Plan for varied terrains: Many campgrounds feature hilly layouts that can be challenging for small children. According to Jojo P. at Great Divide, "Campgrounds have lots of hills so be prepared to hike up and down."
Tips from RVers
Site layout considerations: At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, RVers appreciate the organization of sites. Visitor antruze notes, "Very clean and quiet. Website lists water hook ups at long distances but they have hose reels to help with that. Our site (15) said 75' however the 50' hose reel made it to our rv connection."
Level site availability: Many RV sites in this region aren't perfectly level. One camper at High Point State Park shared, "We have a trailer and the 'trailer' sites aren't level. Showers are at the day use area, from 10-5:30, no trailer dump."
Road access and navigation: Great Divide Campground has specific parking rules. Ethan K. mentions, "The one downside about this site was that you are not allowed to keep your car at your site. You have to drop your supplies off and drive it back to the parking lot which was slightly annoying."
