Round Valley State Park offers wilderness camping options in New Jersey, located about 25 miles northwest of Hopewell. The campsites sit at elevations between 500-800 feet, creating temperature differences up to 10°F cooler than surrounding lowlands during summer months. Access to these primitive sites requires either a strenuous 3-6 mile hike through wooded terrain or arrival by boat across the 2,350-acre reservoir.
What to do
Paddle across reservoirs: At Round Valley State Park Campground, campers can access sites by boat rather than hiking. "We paddled in, the water is very clean and crystal clear," notes Riley K., who appreciated this alternative access method. The reservoir offers excellent fishing opportunities with stocked trout.
Explore hiking trails: Turkey Swamp Park features several short hiking trails through forested areas. "There are several short (longest one is 2.5 miles) hiking trails that are fairly well-marked but can be a bit confusing at times. Some sections of the trails were muddy due to swamps and bogs but passable," shares Lee D., highlighting the diverse terrain.
Visit historic sites: The Washington Crossing State Park offers camping near significant Revolutionary War landmarks. "Every year, they re-enact Washington's troops crossing the Delaware! It was VERY cold the year I went," explains David S. The park maintains this annual tradition on Christmas Day, providing a unique historical experience.
What campers like
Private, quiet settings: Many campers appreciate the secluded nature of Mountainview Campground. "This place was actually fantastic, I don't really have anything negative to say about it. The whole scene was exactly what I love about camping, a nice little remote campground in the mountains," reports Christina H., highlighting the peaceful atmosphere.
Wildlife encounters: The natural setting creates opportunities for wildlife viewing. One camper at Round Valley Recreation Area noted, "Only 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!"
Water access options: Multiple parks offer options for water activities. "Lake was beautiful. Our campsite was nice but far from the activities and to get there you must go around the lake using the same road the cars and golf carts are using," notes Ann Marie M. about Timberland Lake Campground, which offers lakefront sites with private docks.
What you should know
Limited facilities at primitive sites: The wilderness camping areas have minimal amenities. "There is a pump for potable water and vault/pit toilets. Trails are well-kept. Definitely a great place to start with getting into backpacking and enjoying nature," advises Agbi B. about Round Valley.
Tick precautions needed: Some campers report significant tick issues. At Turkey Swamp Park, one camper reported: "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."
Seasonal limitations: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Hopewell operate from April through October. "Stayed in the family campground in a travel trailer. Longish bike ride or shortish drive to the main park," mentions Theresa G. about Cheesequake State Park Campground, noting the distances between facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Book group sites: For larger family groups, specific areas work better. "We had a group site which was perfect for 6 campers. We went on Father's Day weekend and they had nice arts and crafts for the kids to do for dad," recommends Shannon C. about Colonial Woods Family Resort.
Consider weekend activity schedules: Many campgrounds offer structured activities for children. "They do their own haunted walk through that is just awesome! Everyone decorates. They have a dj every Saturday! Plenty of activities for the kids," notes Jessica D. about weekend programming at Timberland Lake Campground.
Check playground proximity: When camping with small children, note the location of play areas. "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office," mentions a Turkey Swamp Park visitor, which helps families plan their site selection.
Tips from RVers
Water hookup planning: At many pet-friendly campgrounds near Hopewell, water connections require preparation. "Bring a LONG water hose," advises Shawn at Turkey Swamp Park, noting the distance between hookups and parking pads.
Site selection strategy: Experienced RVers recommend considering specific site numbers. "We prefer even numbered sites as the hook ups for odd number are one the front side of the trailer unless the site is long enough to pull into or you have a motor home," suggests Melissa N. at Camp Carr Campground.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "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)," warns Brian C. about navigating larger RVs through Colonial Woods Family Camping.
Legend
