The Highlands region surrounding Hampton, New Jersey sits at elevations ranging from 400-1,500 feet with a humid continental climate. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during peak camping season from May through September. Fall brings dramatic color changes to the dense deciduous forests, with overnight temperatures dropping to 45-55°F by October.
What to do
Hiking at Jenny Jump State Forest: The forest offers multiple trail difficulty levels with elevation changes of 400-600 feet. Jenny Jump State Forest provides direct trail access from most campsites. "I really enjoyed this campground. Primitive, has bathrooms and water spigots. Good hammocking trees and wasn't crowded at all. Plenty of privacy from other sites. Close proximity to good hiking and kayaking at Delaware Water Gap but without the crowds of their sites," notes Lindsay D.
Wolf preserve tours: Schedule a guided experience at the Lakota Wolf Preserve adjacent to Camp Taylor Campground. Tours run twice daily on weekends. "The wolf preserve at the same location was just amazing - we learned so much and could hear the wolves howl from the campsite. Hiked to Mt. Tammany from the campsite for the best view in NJ (9 miles round trip)," shares Dina S.
Musical rocks experience: Bring a hammer to strike the resonant boulders at Ringing Rocks County Park, located 2 minutes from Ringing Rocks Family Campground. "Mom was away so took 3 babies on a trip. Went to Ringing Rocks county park and the kids were having so much fun making music they didn't want to leave," writes Justin B.
What campers like
Riverside sites: Many campsites offer direct water access with natural sound buffers between sites. At Camp Carr Campground, all sites are positioned along the South Branch Raritan River. "Excellent view of the South Branch and extremely relaxing," notes Jim B., while Melissa N. adds, "All the sites are along the river so the view and peaceful sound of the river are wonderful."
Wilderness camping options: For experienced campers seeking seclusion, Round Valley State Park Campground offers true wilderness sites. "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, which spanning some 2,350 acres and is 180 feed deep in the middle," writes Stuart K., who adds, "it is the only NJ SP that actually offers up true wilderness camping(a.k.a. primitive), which can only be accessed by hiking 3 to 6 miles."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain well-serviced bathrooms and showers despite rural settings. "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," reports Sarah about Mountainview Campground.
What you should know
Wilderness camping challenges: The primitive sites require preparation. "We found parking in the Southern Lot to be perfectly fine and while we were initially worried about leaving our vehicle parked there for a few nights, we were reassured by the park rangers who patrol the lot constantly," explains Stuart K. about Round Valley. He 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."
Wildlife encounters: Evening hours bring increased animal activity throughout the region's campgrounds. "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!" recalls Christina H. about her stay at Mountainview.
Variable water pressure: Several campgrounds report fluctuations in water service. At Jugtown Mountain Campsites, David B. notes, "There was some issue with the water pressure during the daytime. Only had 1psi of water pressure. Couldn't take a shower or wash dishes. Should have filled my tank."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites away from highways: Some campgrounds experience road noise despite wooded settings. Jocelyn G. mentions Jenny Jump is "high up on a mountain and affords lovely views. Well kept and clean. My only complaint is that the noise from the highway was quite loud at night."
Consider full-service options: Driftstone Campground provides extensive family programming. "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," writes Kathy G. Jim G. adds, "It would be very difficult to be bored at Driftstone-- games, activities, swimming, boating, plenty of open field for the kids."
Look for pet-friendly camping near Hampton, New Jersey with fenced areas: While most sites welcome dogs, some offer better accommodations for pets. Camp Taylor is particularly accommodating, with Katie S. noting, "We stayed here because it was the only dog friendly campground in the area."
Tips from RVers
Check route recommendations: Access roads to some campgrounds can be challenging for larger rigs. One camper advises about Driftstone, "PLEASE NOTE: if you are towing or have a motorhome, make sure you follow the directions on the website. Coming in from the wrong road could lead you to a hairpin turn and steep hill."
Site selection matters: Request specific areas based on your RV type. "Our spot was #27 and pretty spacious. The power station was well intact with 15/20, 30, and 50amp," reports Sarah about Mountainview Campground. For Colonial Woods, Brian C. cautions, "This place is not the place for you if you have a fifth wheel. The roads are very narrow, pretty sizable boulders on both sides, trees are very low and need to be trimmed."
Dump station timing: Plan usage during off-peak hours. Nathan R. advises about Colonial Woods: "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."
Legend
