The northwestern section of New Jersey offers camping spots near Greenwich that balance accessibility with natural seclusion. Located near the junction of the Delaware and Musconetcong Rivers, this region sits at elevations ranging from 300 to 1,500 feet, creating varied camping environments. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, making most campgrounds in this area seasonal operations with typical closures from November through March.
What to do
Kayaking and fishing access: Round Valley State Park Campground offers primitive camping with spectacular reservoir access. "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," notes camper James R. The reservoir spans 2,350 acres and reaches 180 feet deep, making it ideal for trout fishing.
Hike to unique geological features: Ringing Rocks Family Campground provides easy access to Ringing Rocks County Park, where visitors can create unique musical experiences. "We went to Ringing Rocks county park and the kids were having so much fun making music they didn't want to leave," reports Justin B. Bring a metal hammer to strike the rocks—they actually ring with different tones when struck.
Wolf preserve visits: Camp Taylor Campground connects directly to the Lakota Wolf Preserve. "The wolf preserve at the same location was just amazing - we learned so much and could hear the wolves howl from the campsite," explains Dina S. Tours leave the campground twice daily on weekends, with discounted rates for campers.
Stargazing opportunities: Darker skies away from metropolitan areas make this region good for night sky viewing. "Great spot for stargazing. Owners are very nice," shares Scott A. about Mountainview Campground. The higher elevation sites typically offer better views of constellations with minimal light pollution.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation between sites. "Sites are huge and very private. You didn't even know that there were people around you," mentions a visitor at Mountainview Campground. The mixed hardwood forests create natural barriers between camping areas.
Swimming options: Spruce Run Recreation Area offers designated swimming areas with lifeguards during summer months. "Our site was on the water and it was really nice. A duck visited us every morning," reports Jules T. The park includes multiple swimming access points with varying levels of amenities.
Waterfront camping: Several campgrounds offer direct water access. "We had a lovely site along the Creek, perfect white noise to get a great night sleep," notes Karralee B. about Camp Taylor Campground. Sites along waterways typically cost $2-5 more per night but provide ambient sounds and convenient water access.
Clean facilities: Despite remote settings, most campgrounds maintain good standards. "The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting," warns Jules T. about one experience, highlighting the importance of checking recent reviews. Facility cleanliness often varies seasonally with peak summer months seeing higher usage and maintenance challenges.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially for weekend stays. "I reserved two nights, but the first night we were not going to be able to arrive until after 9. After talking to them, they would not allow us to come late, but did refund the first night," explains Kyhlea D. about Mountainview Campground. Many sites enforce strict check-in times that end before dark.
Access challenges: Some primitive camping areas require significant effort to reach. "Located just south of I78 and near the small hamlets of Clinton and Lebanon, what I love most about Round Valley SP is the fact that it has its very own eponymous fresh water reservoir," explains Stuart K., who warns, "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."
Seasonal water pressure issues: Water systems at campgrounds can experience pressure problems during peak usage. David B. notes at Jugtown Mountain Campsites: "Only had 1psi of water pressure. Couldn't take a shower or wash dishes. Should have filled my tank." Morning and evening hours typically see the most strain on water systems.
Quiet hour enforcement: Enforcement of quiet times varies significantly by campground. "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," reports Dan B. about Camp Taylor Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playgrounds: Camp Taylor Campground caters well to families with children. "It's GREAT for kids. A nice playground with tons of kids running all over. The swimming pond is pleasant and great to cool off in," shares Kathy G. The playground areas are centrally located near bathroom facilities for convenience.
Scheduled activities: Many campgrounds offer organized events for children. "We went on Father's Day weekend and they had nice arts and crafts for the kids to do for dad," reports Shannon C. about Colonial Woods Family Resort. Weekend activities typically include nature programs, crafts, and outdoor games.
Swimming ponds vs. pools: Consider your children's swimming preferences when selecting a campground. "The pooL and splash pool for toddlers was clean with a lifeguard on duty at all times," notes Nicole S. about Colonial Woods. Natural swimming areas may have murkier water but often provide more space.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children often enjoy animal sightings. "My husband and I brought our kids and nephew to Camp Taylor. We did tent camping for the weekend and we had a blast," shares Cecilia M. Some campgrounds have farm animals on-site, while others offer wildlife programs focusing on local species identification.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites in this region require significant leveling. "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," notes Sarah about Driftstone Campground. Bringing extra leveling blocks is recommended for most campgrounds in this hilly region.
Low clearance warnings: Tree branches can pose problems 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)," cautions Brian C. about Colonial Woods. Checking ahead about height clearances is essential for RVs over 11 feet tall.
Dump station congestion: Plan for potential wait times when using dump facilities. "Dump station location isn't ideal on a busy morning. I heard they might work on a second dump location and was told to ask if it's ok to stick around until it dies down if our site isn't needed soon," advises Nathan R. Sunday mornings typically see the heaviest dump station usage, with 30+ minute waits common during summer weekends.
