Round Valley State Park Campground offers primitive wilderness camping accessed by hiking or boating to sites situated along a 2,350-acre reservoir. The South Branch of the Raritan River runs directly alongside campsites at Camp Carr Campground, where many riverside spots provide peaceful water views and sounds. Camping near Hillsborough, New Jersey typically experiences warm summer nights with temperatures in the 60s-70s°F and moderate humidity levels that make tent camping comfortable during the main camping season from April through October.
What to do
Fishing at the reservoir: Round Valley State Park offers trout fishing in its crystalline reservoir where campers report excellent conditions. According to one visitor, "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."
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park includes archery ranges where visitors can test their skills with a bow. As one camper mentioned, "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels. Ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods."
Kayaking and canoeing: Multiple waterways provide paddling opportunities across the region's parks and waterways. At Turkey Swamp Park, "There is a lake with a boat dock and a small boardwalk. Kayaking/Canoeing, fishing, and swimming. In the summer, canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental."
Visit Ringing Rocks Park: This unique geological site near Colonial Woods Family Resort lets visitors create musical sounds by striking certain rocks. A visitor recommends, "Go visit Ringing Rocks park with a hammer while you are here." Another camper elaborates: "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."
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Mountainview Campground offers secluded sites that campers consistently praise. As one reviewer shared: "The campsites are spacious and the spot was spacious and comfortable. The bathrooms were clean. Close by to a couple of nice state parks."
Wildlife viewing: The natural settings provide excellent opportunities for wildlife encounters. At Mountainview Campground, one camper described: "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!"
Historical significance: Washington Crossing State Park combines camping with Revolutionary War history. A visitor notes: "Washington Crossing Historic Park, straddling Pennsylvania and New Jersey along the Delaware River, is one of those rare places where you can literally camp in history."
Quiet weekday camping: Several campgrounds offer notably peaceful experiences during weekdays. One camper at Mountainview Campground reported: "This place was just so calming and quiet, it was really just such a relaxing place to be. There was no irritation from loud, busy nearby roads, no city noise, no people yelling or stomping about."
What you should know
Challenging hiking access: The trails to wilderness camping sites require preparation and physical fitness. A Round Valley camper 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, so while the hike we made was only 3 miles, it was not easy."
Tick awareness: Some wooded areas have significant tick populations, especially during warmer months. At Turkey Swamp Park, a camper cautioned: "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2. That was so crazy because we were just sitting by our camper."
Weather warning systems: Water conditions can change quickly on reservoirs and rivers. A visitor to Round Valley notes: "The reservoir can turn into the Bermuda Triangle at any moment-- be careful."
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have unpaved access roads that may become challenging in wet weather. At Turkey Swamp Park, a camper observed: "As soon as you turn off the main road to the park, all roads are dirt, which was a bit surprising. They were well-maintained and in dry weather, not a problem, but probably not if it was rainy."
Tips for camping with families
Splash areas for children: Timberland Lake Campground offers water features specifically designed for younger campers. One family noted: "Pool was open for a couple days following the lifting of restrictions for COVID. Overall, a nice campground that is close to Six Flags."
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds schedule family-friendly events, especially on weekends. At Colonial Woods Family Resort, a visitor shared: "They did a few activities the one we did go to was the casino night where they had separate play areas for kids and adults. All the money made is donated to Shriners Children's Hospital which is awesome and the kids loved the candy and little prizes they won."
Playgrounds and recreation: Most pet-friendly campgrounds near Hillsborough include recreational facilities for different age groups. As one camper at Mountainview Campground noted: "Easily accessible from NYC and popular. Not for someone looking for quiet and solitude, but good for a good escape. Hiking trails nearby, picnic tables and rest areas available."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional equipment for leveling RVs. At Mountainview Campground, a camper noted: "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."
Water hookup length: Some sites require longer-than-standard water hoses. A camper at Turkey Swamp Park advised: "Nice, remote, private. Some sites unlevel. Bring a LONG water hose. Nice lake. Showers and washers and dryers."
Dump station considerations: At busier campgrounds, timing your departure around dump station usage makes a difference. A visitor to Colonial Woods observed: "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."
Narrow access roads: Larger RVs face challenges at certain campgrounds. A visitor to Colonial Woods warned: "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)."
Legend
