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Several good camping options can be found near Lake Hopatcong in New Jersey, though the popular Round Valley State Park Campground is temporarily closed despite its nice views and policy allowing dogs. About five miles from the lake, Mahlon Dickerson Reservation gives campers a quiet place to stay in the Skylands area. You'll find both tent and RV sites there, which works well for different camping styles. Watch for wildlife like deer and birds around these campgrounds, and store your food properly. Most campgrounds have decent roads leading to them, but you might need a vehicle with higher clearance in some spots, especially after it rains. Some sites give you more privacy than others - you'll find both secluded and more open camping spots. Many areas have good tree cover for shade when the summer gets hot. Be ready for weather changes since temperatures can swing quite a bit depending on when you visit. Whether you're staying for a couple days or longer, the campgrounds around Lake Hopatcong work well for most campers.
"There is a very nice network of trails in the reservation, most if not all were leashed dog friendly."
"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."
"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."
"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 $$"
"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 Availability"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."
"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."
"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."
"Site A is the best for seclusion and a spot closer to the lake (also amazing sunsets)"
"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. "
"Was a bit hard to locate the office to check in but finally found it. The camp site was spacious. The bathrooms were struggling with the plumbing but were fairly clean."
"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)."
from $33 - $42 / night
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ScoutThis 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.
RangerWe 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.
RangerWe 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!
TravelerAnother great experience. Sites were large. Staff was friendly with many different things for kids to do. Great base camp for local hikes.
RangerWe came here 4th of July weekend, and this is one of the things I love about these sites...they had availability! Our site was very big, and was perfect with sone shade and also lots of sun!
RangerOur travel trailer and our friends' pop up both fit on this site with no problem. The only issue we had is that there is a bit of a ditch that turns to mud after a rain. We were off the beaten path so very little traffic. There was a bathroom with pit toilets down the street. Plenty of places to hike and fish also. We loved it here!
RangerWe came here to ride our ATV's...since it is more than 3 hours from home, we decided to book this spot for the night. We have stayed in a bunch of the DWSF sites. This one was kinda meh. Nearer to the road so traffic at all hours. Picnic table and fire ring, and as always, evidence of people chopping down live trees for firewood. Ugh! We set up our tent and had a nice fire, albeit there was broken glass on the ground. Biting flies worked overtime on us. Not a terrible stay, but we prolly won't book this one again. And these sites are no longer free. As out of state-rs, we paid $21 for one night. Still a good deal.
ScoutAs far as experience it was good. The main issue was the campsite where we were was uneven and caused many of the sleeping arrangements that we had to be not level. This seems to be a specific issue to the group campsite number two as when we went inwards it seemed like everything else was much better.
GuideTwo night stay, large loud parties make it hard to enjoy but once most of them left it was nice to walk down to the river. Bath house with toilets and showers, not all lights working. No swimming access but boat access and trails for hiking.
Camping spots near Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey can be found within the Skylands Region at elevations between 700-1,200 feet, making for cooler summer nights than coastal areas. Typical July temperatures range 75-85°F during the day and drop to 55-65°F at night. The region's mixed hardwood forests create a habitat for white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and over 200 bird species that campers might spot during their stay.
Hike to scenic overlooks: At Stokes State Forest, multiple trails lead to viewpoints. "We hiked to Sunset Mountain Scenic Overlook for a view of High Point Monument. High Point Monument is the highest elevation in New Jersey and is located in High Point State Park which borders Stokes State Forest on the north," one visitor mentioned in their review.
Wolf watching: See wolves in their natural habitat at Camp Taylor Campground which connects to the Lakota Wolf Preserve. A camper noted, "There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance. It's one of our favorite places to camp." The preserve offers guided tours twice daily on weekends.
Kayaking and paddling: Many local lakes offer rentals for water recreation. "The lake is beautiful! Great for swimming and fishing. There are several trail hikes that you can do from the campsite," wrote a visitor about Swartswood State Park. Most rental facilities charge $15-25 per hour for kayaks and paddleboards.
Privacy between sites: Jenny Jump State Forest offers secluded camping. "The camp sites are nicely laid out to ensure privacy. This park is high up on a mountain and affords lovely views," one camper mentioned. Sites positioned farther from bathrooms often provide the most isolation.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards for amenities. "The bathrooms were struggling with the plumbing but were fairly clean. The river is just a small walk down the hill (you can stairs or a path which was nice)," a camper wrote about Stephens State Park. Most parks provide free hot showers and flush toilets.
Lake access: Panther Lake Camping Resort provides direct water access for recreation. "The lake and pool were a big plus, especially for hot days. While I did not take advantage, you are allowed to rent boats and take them out on the lake," shared one visitor. Many waterfront campsites require early booking, often 3-6 months in advance.
Bear awareness: This region requires proper food storage. "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes," a Stokes State Forest camper warned. Food should be stored in vehicles or secured containers, never in tents.
Reservation timing: Summer weekends fill quickly. "I booked a camp site but trying to call and confirm no answer mail box full, decided to take the hour drive. Office closed and no workers around," noted one frustrated camper at Stephens State Park. Most parks open reservations 6-12 months in advance.
Noise variations: Worthington State Forest and other parks can experience varying noise levels. "It's on the Delaware so that's nice, but being so attracts a lot of tourists. Which seems like most of them never have any courtesy for other campers. Always a few sites blasting music till late hours," one visitor reported. Weekdays typically offer quieter experiences.
Playground access: Locations with play areas keep children entertained. "There is a playground and volleyball court. There are dumpsters but no recycling," mentioned a visitor at Stephens State Park. Many campgrounds feature play equipment within walking distance of campsites.
Swimming options: Look for designated swimming areas with lifeguards during summer months. "A nice small lake with boats to use. Nice small beach. Lots of weekend activities," a Camp Taylor visitor shared. Most swimming areas open Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Kid-friendly activities: Great Divide Campground offers structured recreation. "It's a smaller camp ground but still just an enjoyable. Can't wait to come back!" a camper explained. Weekly activity schedules typically include crafts, games, and nature programs throughout summer.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds require leveling blocks. "Once you have backed into the spot and leveled out it's a good time," noted a Camp Taylor visitor. Bring leveling blocks as many sites have slight slopes.
Hookup limitations: Check utility availability when booking. "Electric and water hookups, no sewer but there's a dump station on the way out," a camper at Camp Taylor mentioned. Most parks offer water and electric only, with dump stations for departure.
Size restrictions: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation accommodates moderate-sized RVs. "Easy to navigate our 38 ft. RV. Easy to dump and fill," one visitor shared. Most campgrounds in the region limit RVs to 35-40 feet maximum due to tight turning radiuses and narrow access roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there campgrounds at or near Lake Hopatcong, NJ?
While there are no campgrounds directly on Lake Hopatcong, several quality options exist nearby. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation is one of the closest, located in the Skylands region just a short drive from the lake. For those willing to travel a bit further, Great Divide Campground near Newton offers a scenic setting with its own small lake and wooded surroundings. Other options within driving distance include Stephens State Park Campground, Stokes State Forest, and High Point State Park. These locations provide access to hiking trails, swimming, and other outdoor activities while being close enough for day trips to Lake Hopatcong.
What amenities are available at Mahlon Dickerson Campground near Lake Hopatcong?
Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers well-appointed campsites with several desirable amenities. The sites are nicely wooded, spacious, and mostly level with paved parking pads. Each site includes 50-amp electrical service and water hookups (though water spigots are shared between sites with hose caddies provided). While there are no sewer hookups at individual sites, the campground maintains a convenient dump station. The campground is situated in a beautiful wooded setting with access to hiking trails and outdoor exploration opportunities. Its location in the Skylands region makes it an excellent base for exploring the area while being relatively close to Lake Hopatcong.
Can you camp at Hopatcong State Park?
No, overnight camping is not permitted at Hopatcong State Park. The park is primarily a day-use facility offering swimming, boating, fishing, and picnicking amenities. For camping options near Lake Hopatcong, consider High Point State Park Campground, located in the scenic Skylands region with campsites situated on a lake and access to numerous hiking and biking trails. Another alternative is Stephens State Park Campground, which provides camping facilities within a reasonable driving distance of Lake Hopatcong while offering its own recreational opportunities.
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