R
Russell A.
Scout
Scout100 Mile View Camping
What a great place. So unique! Love the view, and a great experience! There are no hook ups, so be prepared but if you are looking for the dispersed camping experience you have found it. What a gem!
Camping near Glen Gardner, NJ
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The Glen Gardner area of New Jersey offers multiple established campgrounds within a 15-mile radius, including Spruce Run Recreation Area and Round Valley State Park Campground. These public recreation areas provide a mix of accommodation types from tent sites to RV hookups, cabins, and shelters. Most campgrounds in this region maintain moderate to large sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and access to basic facilities. Several properties like Mountainview Campground and Spruce Run Recreation Area offer both water-view sites and wooded areas, accommodating various camping preferences.
Camping in this region follows seasonal patterns with most established sites operating from April 1 through October 31. Spruce Run Recreation Area and other nearby state parks maintain regular facilities including bathrooms, drinking water, and occasionally showers, though quality varies considerably. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months and holiday periods when sites fill quickly. Some campgrounds offer water and electric hookups for RVs, while others like Round Valley State Park Campground are more primitive, requiring canoe or hike-in access only. As noted in visitor feedback, "This place is exceptional for the NorthEast Coast. It is hike-in or canoe-in only. It's very secluded once arriving at a campsite."
Waterfront campsites rank consistently high in visitor satisfaction, with lake and reservoir views available at several locations including Spruce Run and Round Valley. Sites with water views tend to fill first, especially during summer months. Campers frequently mention the mix of open and shaded areas, with many sites offering a balance of sun and tree cover throughout the day. Reviews indicate weekday camping provides significantly quieter experiences compared to weekends. Based on feedback from The Dyrt, "The actual site was nice and was close to the bathrooms. There was plenty of shade as the sun moved throughout the day." Nature observations commonly include deer sightings, birds, and rabbits at many of the mixed-use campgrounds. Some campgrounds report highway noise, particularly at night when the ambient sounds diminish.
Best Campgrounds near Glen Gardner (186)
1. 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."
2. Spruce Run Recreation Area
"Park employees and park police drive around through the day. Some big groups of campers got a little rowdy at night. The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting."
"The actual site was nice and was close to the bathrooms. There was plenty of shade as the sun moved throughout the day."
3. Mountainview Campground
"We were kindly escorted to our site (a nice refreshing change from having to wander around to find the sites ourselves), which was the one farthest away from the entrance."
"Close by to a couple of nice state parks. Cute sheep and goats that wander about during the day! Sweet little spot, we'll definitely be back!"
4. Driftstone Campground
"Driftstone is set on a beautiful location on the Delaware River. River Road on which it is located, is picturesque and quiet enough to run, walk or bike on."
"Driftstone is a gem of a campground at a great location on the Delaware. Easy access to Delaware Gap Recreation Area. Sites are pretty spacious with water and electric hookups."
Check Availabilityfrom $66 - $76 / night
5. 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."
6. Ringing Rocks Family Campground
"Store has most, if not all you essentials. ( had to get an extension cord because I forgot one of mine) so, if everything was positive, why did I give it four stars??"
"There are many beautiful sights around including the Delaware River, ringing rocks Park, and Nockamixon. The park is clean and well-maintained, the facilities are clean as well."
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. Camp Taylor Campground
"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)."
Check Availabilityfrom $33 - $42 / night
9. Jugtown Mountain Campsites
"Very convenient location, nice large lawn with beautiful tall shade trees, bathroom was extremely clean and you can see were just recently renovated."
"We stopped for one night on the first leg of our drive to Florida from Massachusetts."
10. Voorhees State Park Campground
"The pit latrines were clean, the water spigots worked fine, and there was plenty of wildlife to see roam through the surrounding areas. It was home away from home."
"There are many things to do close by too like the observatory, Round Valley beach, Grounds for Art, etc. We all really enjoyed ourselves and plan on returning."
Drive Time
- 43 min from Allentown, PA
- 50 min from Trenton, NJ
- 1 hr 3 min from New York, NY
- 1 hr 7 min from Philadelphia, PA
Recent Camping Photos near Glen Gardner, NJ
558 Photos of 186 Glen Gardner Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Spruce Run Recreation AreaY
Jugtown Mountain CampsitesM
Round Valley State Park Campground
Camp Carr Campground
Mountainview Campground
Dogwood Haven Family Campground, LLCR
Driftstone CampgroundK
Stephens State Park CampgroundB
Camp Starry Night at Gulyan Farms
Ringing Rocks Family Campgroundk
Tinicum Park Camping
Jenny Jump State Forest
Recent Reviews near Glen Gardner, NJ
1126 Reviews of 186 Glen Gardner Campgrounds
Nancy W.
LegendHickory Run State Park Campground
Peaceful State Park Camping in the Fall
This is a large campground with a wide array of campsites so be careful attention when you book online, especially if you have a pet because some sites are not pet-friendly. Some are 50-amp full hook-up and some are primitive with no hook-ups.
There is a nice nature center with interesting interpretive exhibits and lots of informational brochures including ones about the hiking trails, bears, scat and tracks of local animals, and fishing. Our site was at the edge of the campground and backed up to Route 534 which resulted in a bit of road noise at our site. Other than the road noise the campground was pretty quiet and was not very crowded when we camped there in October.
Not all sites are level and we happened to book one that was not and we had to live with a slant for our stay. The roads in the park are gravel/dirt and since it rained the day we arrived the roads were a muddy mess which made the roads slippery and there were lots of potholes. Unfortunately, some campers were disrespectful and left bags of trash in the fire pit and scattered around their site which was totally unnecessary because there were dumpsters plenty of dumpsters in the campground. Since we camped at Hickory Run late in the season, there were no camp hosts and the trash never got picked up.
The campground is open from mid-April to mid-December; however, the shower facilities and dump station are not available after the third week of October so plan accordingly. We really like the hiking trails which are of varying degrees of difficulty and lengths. The Hawk Falls is a nice easy walk (1.4 miles round-trip) to a waterfall but is extremely popular so don’t think you will be admiring the falls alone. The parking lot at this trail head fills up fast so you better get there early if you want to get a spot.
You can enter the park from two different directions. If you have a big-rig, it is best to approach from the east side. We made the mistake of coming in from the west side as we dropped down from I-80 and came down 534 and the road was really windy with no shoulder. Luckily, there was very little traffic so we could go 10 mph and safely navigate the roads.
Be aware alcohol is not allowed in PA state parks. This park does allow hunting in certain sections of the park. The no-hunting areas are clearly marked with white no hunting signs on trees and you can also pick up a brochure from the office that designates hunting and no-hunting sections.
- MMichael M.Scout
Turkey Swamp Park
Water/power at the campsite, and and centrally located dump station. Lots of trees and nice separation of sites
Stuart K.LegendWashington Crossing State Park - TEMP CLOSED FOR 2024
Revolutionary History near Delaware River
Nestled along the picturesque Delaware River in beautiful Bucks County, Washington Crossing Historic Park is one of those destinations where American history practically jumps out from behind every tree. This sprawling, beautifully preserved historic park commemorates George Washington's daring Christmas night crossing of the Delaware in 1776, with charming colonial buildings, expansive green spaces, shaded walking paths and lovely riverfront scenery. Divided into Upper and Lower sections, the park offers plenty to explore, from historic homesteads and interpretive exhibits to scenic picnic areas and the impressive Bowman's Hill Tower. Unfortunately, while the park delivers a wonderful outdoor experience, traditional overnight camping isn't part of the equation unless your a Boy Scout or accompanying one of their troops.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spectacular Revolutionary War history at the very site of Washington's legendary Delaware River crossing; (2) Beautifully maintained grounds featuring mature trees, open lawns and scenic riverfront views; (3) Fascinating colonial-era buildings, historic demonstrations and educational exhibits that bring America's founding history to life; (4) Wonderful recreational opportunities, including walking, cycling, fishing, kayaking and picnicking; and (5) Convenient proximity to charming New Hope, the Delaware Canal towpath and Bowman's Hill Tower, offering plenty of opportunities to extend your adventure.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) No conventional public tent or RV camping, with overnight group camping restricted to organized Scout groups by prior arrangement; (2) No dedicated RV campsites, electrical hookups, water connections or dump station; (3) Park grounds generally close at sunset, limiting opportunities to linger into the evening; (4) Some historic buildings and attractions require admission fees or operate on limited schedules; and (5) Periodic restoration projects and special events can restrict access to certain areas, while the historic Washington Crossing Bridge's three-ton weight limit makes it unsuitable for larger RVs.
Happy Camping!
- Stuart K.Legend
Lowe's - W Windsor
Upscale Parking Paradise at This Home Fixer-Upper
Located just off US Route 1 in the upscale Princeton area, this spacious Lowe's serves up a surprisingly pleasant patch of pavement for weary road warriors looking to catch some shut-eye. Set back roughly 80 yards from the highway, this big blue home improvement retailer offers a generously sized parking lot with relatively manageable traffic, good maneuverability and a quieter atmosphere than you might expect from such a busy suburban retail corridor. The western and southern edges of the lot are particularly appealing for an overnight stay, and with Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several other retailers nearby, convenience certainly isn't in short supply. Better yet, the store management was friendly and accommodating when we called ahead to arrange our overnight visit.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spacious, paved parking lot with plenty of room to maneuver larger rigs; (2) Convenient access to US Route 1 and nearby I-95; (3) Western and southern parking areas offer quieter spots away from the busiest customer traffic; (4) Excellent nearby conveniences, including Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several dining options; and (5) Friendly store management that welcomed our overnight stay, plus surprisingly good opportunities for outdoor recreation nearby.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) Some daytime retail traffic and occasional road noise, although nothing terribly disruptive; (2) No RV hookups, dump station or dedicated overnight camping facilities; (3) Parking areas closest to the store can become crowded during business hours; (4) Limited greenery and little of the scenery you'd expect from a traditional campground; and (5) While the overnight experience was excellent, this is still a commercial parking lot rather than a destination for an extended stay.
Happy Overnighting!
Tony F.
Guide100 Mile View Camping
The best views
This is a hidden gem, as close to dispersed camping you can get with dirt, gravel roads, large stone fire pits, a amazing views with the added benefit of a five gallon jug of non potable water and very clean port-a-potties. The owner regularly patrols the site and makes sure everything is okay.
Maria Mercedes M.LegendRound Valley State Park Campground
Peaceful Wilderness Escape for Adventurous Families
There's something wonderfully special about escaping into nature where the only sounds are rustling leaves, birds singing and the gentle movement of water along the shoreline. Nestled among the wooded hills surrounding the beautiful Round Valley Reservoir, this rustic SP campground offers families a chance to disconnect from everyday distractions and enjoy a little wilderness adventure together. Unlike traditional campgrounds, the campsites are accessible only by hiking or boating, so getting anywhere here requires some planning and a willingness to travel light. Once you've arrived, you'll find secluded, wooded campsites with picnic tables, fire rings and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Amenities are basic, with pit toilets and no showers, but the beautiful reservoir, scenic hiking trails, fishing and kayaking opportunities more than make up for the lack of modern conveniences. Our kids loved exploring the woods, spotting wildlife and gathering around a crackling campfire at night to share stories beneath the stars. For families comfortable with the hike, I'd recommend choosing one of the campsites along the reservoir shoreline for the lovely water views and peaceful surroundings. Just remember that swimming is limited to the park's designated beach area. Round Valley isn't your typical family campground, but for adventurous families who enjoy hiking, camping under the stars and making wonderful memories together, it's a beautiful place to experience nature at its finest!
Roger V.
TravelerBake Oven Knob
solid parking place for vans and RVs. road is dirt gravel but not terrible. nice hike nearby
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.
Guide to Glen Gardner
The Glen Gardner area sits within Hunterdon County's rolling hills where elevations range from 400 to 800 feet, creating diverse camping conditions throughout the region. During summer months, campers can expect average high temperatures in the mid-80s with cooler overnight temperatures in the mid-60s—ideal for exploring local water features. Camp accessibility varies dramatically between established grounds with most requiring advance planning for weekend reservations, especially at waterfront sites.
What to do
Hiking to scenic overlooks: Round Valley Recreation Area features challenging trails leading to expansive viewpoints, some requiring significant effort but offering rewarding vistas. As reviewer Stuart K. notes, "I have hiked throughout the entire US and consider myself somewhere between a moderate to skilled hiker and I found these trails challenging and uneven, so while the hike we made was only 3 miles, it was not easy."
Explore the Delaware River: Driftstone Campground provides direct access to the Delaware River with boat launching facilities and equipment rentals. "The sites along the river would be my first choice... There is a boat ramp that can accommodate small boats and kayaks for rent. Things to do nearby include tubing, kayaking, rafting on the Delaware," reports reviewer Kathy G.
Visit unique geological features: While camping near Glen Gardner, take a short drive to Ringing Rocks Family Campground, which offers access to the fascinating Ringing Rocks County Park. "Lovely trails and the rocks are something else," mentions Gregg G. Another visitor suggests, "Go visit Ringing Rocks park with a hammer while you are here."
Wildlife observation: Camp Taylor Campground hosts the Lakota Wolf Preserve with discounted tours for campers. "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. The preserve offers scheduled educational tours twice daily on weekends.
What campers like
Secluded primitive camping: For campers seeking genuine solitude, Mountainview Campground offers remote sites away from crowds. Christina H. describes it as "a nice little remote campground in the mountains. The entire area is just gorgeous, open country." Another reviewer notes, "Very clean and quite. Bath stalls and showers are basic but clean. Great spot for stargazing."
Waterfront campsites: Direct water access ranks high among camper preferences, with some campgrounds offering sites right on the Delaware River. "Our campsite was located along the Delaware river with a short walk down to be able to launch our canoe and kayak... The water is rather warm and swimming was enjoyable," reports Mitchell E. about Worthington State Forest Campground.
Clean facilities: Jenny Jump State Forest earns praise for well-maintained amenities. "The facilities were clean, stocked, and warm," notes Jamie A. Another camper mentions, "Showers were free and generally quite hot."
Wildlife encounters: Natural immersion experiences stand out in camper reviews. "Only 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," writes Christina H. about Mountainview Campground. "We got to see wild turkeys and deer in the morning," adds another visitor.
What you should know
Reservation timing requirements: Weekend camping near Glen Gardner requires advance planning, with most established campgrounds filling 2-3 months ahead during peak season. Weekday availability remains significantly better year-round.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: The quality and availability of bathrooms differs dramatically between campgrounds. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, a visitor reported: "The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting. I thought with COVID they were cleaning them more, but for the entire weekend, someone's #2 remained all over the toilet, floor, and corner wall."
Highway noise affects some sites: Several campgrounds experience road noise despite natural settings. "You can hear 78, especially at night once the campground settles down," notes Jules T. about Spruce Run Recreation Area. Another reviewer from Jenny Jump State Forest mentions, "The only problem we encountered was that there wasn't a store close by for ice or other essentials, although the main office does sell firewood."
Boat-in sites require planning: Round Valley Recreation Area's remote wilderness camping requires watercraft access or difficult hiking. "If you come with your own boat, you can access by water," explains a reviewer, who adds "I highly recommend you boat in as the hiking path is incredibly difficult to manage without hauling all of your camping gear."
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with child-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds near Glen Gardner feature dedicated facilities for children. At Colonial Woods Family Resort, "The pooL and splash pool for toddlers was clean with a lifeguard on duty at all times," reports Nicole S. Another family notes, "We had the best time camping here this past weekend! The staff is so friendly and helpful."
Consider noise levels for sleeping children: Quiet time enforcement varies significantly between campgrounds. "Unlike many other campgrounds we've been to, they are very good about actually enforcing the quiet hours at night, so you can have an actual peaceful and quiet night around the campfire," writes Dan B. about Camp Taylor Campground.
Pack for variable weather conditions: The region's temperature can fluctuate 20-30 degrees between day and night, especially in spring and fall. Rain showers occur frequently with limited covered recreation options at most campgrounds.
Look for educational opportunities: Wildlife and nature programs enhance family camping experiences. "The wolf preserve at the same location was just amazing - we learned so much," shares a Camp Taylor visitor. Another notes, "They had a lot of scheduled crafts and to do for the kiddos and adults alike."
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Several campgrounds have difficult terrain for larger rigs. "The roads are very narrow, pretty sizable boulders on both sides, trees are very low and need to be trimmed (almost took my ac out with a huge limb)," warns Brian C. about Colonial Woods.
Limited hookup availability: Full-service sites remain limited throughout the Glen Gardner camping area. "There is an inexpensive pump out service available daily," mentions Kathy G. about Driftstone Campground. Another RVer suggests, "I recommend bringing your own portable dump tank."
Consider site orientation for hookups: "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," advises a Camp Carr visitor.
Site leveling preparations: Many campgrounds require significant leveling for RVs. One camper notes, "The landing for the camper was even with gravel and the rest of the site was mostly even. The power station was well intact with 15/20, 30, and 50amp."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Glen Gardner, NJ?
What camping is available near Glen Gardner, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Glen Gardner, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 186 campgrounds and RV parks near Glen Gardner, NJ and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Glen Gardner, NJ?
Which is the most popular campground near Glen Gardner, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Glen Gardner, NJ is Round Valley State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 26 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Glen Gardner, NJ?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Glen Gardner, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Glen Gardner, NJ.
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