Round Valley State Park Campground stands out as a rare wilderness camping opportunity near Hopewell, New Jersey, located just 24 miles north of town. The campground sits at an elevation of approximately 400 feet and requires either a strenuous hike of 3-6 miles or boat access to reach the primitive sites. Unlike other camping areas in the region, these sites offer no electricity and minimal facilities, creating a more isolated experience despite being relatively close to populated areas.
What to do
Paddle to your campsite: At Round Valley State Park Campground, the reservoir provides a unique opportunity to boat in rather than hike. "Really nice spot to camp very peaceful and quit. Gorgeous sunset, beautiful views," notes T K., while another camper mentions "we paddled in, the water is very clean and crystal clear."
Explore rock formations: Just 30 miles from Hopewell, Ringing Rocks Family Campground offers access to an unusual natural phenomenon. "The rocks really do ring when hit with another rock," explains Kathie M. who recommends bringing a hammer to tap the rocks. Another visitor suggests "Bring a hammer" to experience this unique geological feature.
Fishing and boating: The reservoirs at several campgrounds offer excellent fishing opportunities. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, "You can launch your kayak easily from the shore" according to one reviewer. A visitor at Round Valley notes, "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."
What campers like
Wilderness experience: Campers seeking solitude appreciate the remote feel of certain sites. One camper at Mountainview Campground describes it as "a nice little remote campground in the mountains" with "no irritation from loud, busy nearby roads, no city noise, no people yelling or stomping about." Another reports, "Stayed at one of the primitive sites. Very clean and quite. Great spot for stargazing."
Wildlife encounters: Several campers mention unexpected wildlife interactions. At Mountainview Campground, one reviewer experienced "foxes fighting right outside our tent, the snorts of deer, and there were bats right above us all night making noise!" Round Valley campers report seeing "huge lake trout" and one mentions that "the area is clean. Trails are well-kept."
Spacious, private sites: Turkey Swamp Park receives praise for its generous sites: "Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy." Another camper notes, "The sites are spacious and it's really beautiful." At Mountainview Campground, visitors appreciate that "our site was fully private (could not see or hear neighbors)."
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds in the area operate from April through October or November. Turkey Swamp Park runs "Apr 1 to Nov 15," while Spruce Run, Round Valley, and others typically close for winter by October 31.
Hiking difficulty: The boat-in sites at Washington Crossing State Park are much more accessible than hiking options. One camper warns that at Round Valley, "Some of the sites are at least 3 miles to get to unless you take a boat across," while another notes "the hike up in the cushetunk mountain is really nice."
Bathroom availability: Facilities vary widely between parks. At Turkey Swamp Park, "The bathroom and showers are clean and well maintained," while at Round Valley, a camper notes "There is a pump for potable water and vault/pit toilets." Some campers recommend filtering water from the reservoir instead of using the pump water.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. Colonial Woods Family Resort provides "a playground, lake where you could fish, cornhole, and minigolf." Another visitor mentions "The pooL and splash pool for toddlers was clean with a lifeguard on duty at all times."
Scheduled activities: Many campgrounds organize family events. Colonial Woods runs weekend activities—"They had a 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."
Animal encounters: At Mountainview Campground, children often enjoy the farm animals. One camper notes, "The free-range chickens by the office are a warm welcome," while another mentions "Cute sheep and goats that wander about during the day!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: At Ringing Rocks Family Campground, RVers should note that "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)." Another RVer advises that at Turkey Swamp, "Some sites unlevel. Bring a LONG water hose."
Hookup limitations: Many campgrounds offer only partial hookups. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, a reviewer explains, "There are some RV sites with water & electric which are not on the water, but in the parking lot. I would consider getting one on the water to enjoy the water and one in the parking lot to hook up the RV."
Road conditions: Access roads can be challenging at some sites. At Turkey Swamp Park, "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."
Ranger
