Campers seeking pet friendly camping near High Bridge, New Jersey can find diverse options within a 30-mile radius. The region sits in the Highlands physiographic province where elevation ranges from 400 to 1,000 feet, creating varied terrain for outdoor recreation. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, with Round Valley being the only true wilderness camping experience in the state requiring either boat access or hiking several miles to reach sites.
What to do
Hiking with hammocks: Jenny Jump State Forest offers secluded sites with direct access to miles of trails. "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: Camp Taylor Campground provides unique wildlife experiences with the adjacent Lakota Wolf Preserve. "There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance. It's one of our favorite places to camp," shares Julie F. The preserve offers discounted tours for campers, allowing for a rare opportunity to observe wolves in a natural setting.
Geology exploration: Nearby attractions include unusual geological formations. "If you're looking for a scenic drive that makes you forget that you're in NJ, head on over to the Alpha Grasslands Preserve in Alpha, NJ. Just past the Delaware River through Milford NJ, into PA, is a park called Ringing Rocks County Park. Some waterfalls to see and hiking to do. If you strike certain rocks with a metal hammer they ring, hence the name of the park!" explains Christina H. from Mountainview Campground.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Campers appreciate the seclusion available at several campgrounds. At Camp Taylor, "Some sites are more private than others but all have a wooded and private feel. 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," reports Kathy G.
River access: Driftstone Campground sits along the Delaware River, providing water recreation opportunities. "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. There is a boat ramp that can accommodate small boats and kayaks for rent," says Kathy G.
Wildlife encounters: Beyond wolves, the natural setting provides opportunities to observe various animals. "Saw wild turkeys and deer in the morning. The wolf preserve at the same location was just amazing - we learned so much and could hear the wolves howl from the campsite," notes Dina S. about Camp Taylor.
What you should know
Site accessibility challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access for larger vehicles. At Colonial Woods Family Resort, one camper warns: "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)."
Varying water sources: Water quality and access differs between campgrounds. At Jenny Jump, campers have found the facilities adequate but basic: "The showers were free and generally quite hot," mentions Seth K. Meanwhile, at Round Valley, James R. notes: "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."
Maintenance considerations: Voorhees State Park has had maintenance issues, as Thomas M. reports: "This campground is in a state of ruin. They had a storm back in March which closed one loop. There doesn't appear to have been any maintenance since then."
Tips for camping with families
Day camp awareness: At Camp Carr Campground, visitors should know about scheduled activities: "Summer camping is nice but it is owned and operated by the YMCA so there is summer day camp held Monday - Friday," explains Melissa N.
Best spots for kids: Consider site location relative to amenities. "The sites along the river would be my first choice, but if you have children, being near the playground might be a good selection as well. Just be cautious of the placement of the dump station and proximity to the site," advises Kathy G. about Driftstone.
Special events for children: Some campgrounds schedule regular activities for families. Bonnie C. shares about Driftstone: "Fun events planned every summer weekend for kids and adults. Great river to play in with kayaks and canoes available. Large pool."
Tips from RVers
Site terrain challenges: RV campers should be prepared for leveling at many area campgrounds. At Jugtown Mountain Campsites, one visitor noted: "We drive a class A, our site was snug but easy enough to get in and out of (we were lucky enough to be able to pull through from the adjoining site). Water pressure was weirdly low."
Dump station limitations: Several campgrounds have limitations with waste disposal. Jim G. observes about Driftstone: "No sewer hookups and the dump station is difficult to get in and out with larger rigs."
Electric hookup variability: Power connections differ across campgrounds. At Mountainview, one camper noted: "The power station was well intact with 15/20, 30, and 50amp." Meanwhile, sites at Round Valley require self-sufficiency as they are primitive with no electric hookups of any kind.
Legend
