Northern New Jersey's ridge-and-valley region sits within the Appalachian Mountains system, with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,500 feet. The terrain near Ironia features hardwood forests interspersed with open meadows and multiple reservoirs. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, with summer highs averaging in the 80s, making May through October the prime camping season.
What to do
Wolf viewing experiences: At Camp Taylor Campground, visitors can access the adjacent Lakota Wolf Preserve. "We can take a short hike up the mountain there to see the wolves in the sanctuary. There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance," notes Julie F., who found this to be one of the most memorable aspects of her stay.
Primitive camping with boat access: Round Valley State Park Campground offers true wilderness camping. "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," reports Stuart K. The campground requires either a 3-6 mile hike or boat access.
Night sky observation: Stargazing is particularly good at sites away from urban light pollution. "Great spot for stargazing. Owners are very nice," notes Scott A. about his experience at Mountainview Campground, where the primitive sites offer clear views of constellations on clear nights.
What campers like
Wildlife encounters: Beyond the wolves at Camp Taylor, many campgrounds in the region offer chances to see wildlife. "We saw wild turkeys and deer in the morning," shares Dina S. about her stay at Camp Taylor Campground. Another camper at Mountainview Campground observed, "We heard foxes fighting right outside our tent, the snorts of deer, and there were bats right above us all night making noise!"
Private, wooded sites: Many campers value the seclusion offered at certain campgrounds. At Jenny Jump State Forest, "the camp sites are nicely laid out to ensure privacy. This park is high up on a mountain and affords lovely views," according to Jocelyn G. Similarly, at Mountainview Campground, Christina H. enjoyed that "our site was fully private (could not see or hear neighbors)."
Clean facilities despite rustic settings: Even at more primitive campgrounds, campers appreciate well-maintained facilities. Lindsay D. found Jenny Jump State Forest offered "nice quiet primitive camping. Primitive, has bathrooms and water spigots. Good hammocking trees and wasn't crowded at all. Plenty of privacy from other sites."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Many campgrounds near Ironia fill quickly during peak season. For glamping close to Ironia, New Jersey, book several months ahead for summer weekends, especially at the more popular sites with amenities like Great Divide Campground.
Bear safety precautions: This region requires proper food storage. Christina L. reminds campers that at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, "There are bear warnings here so that gave us a bit of pause with our three little boys." None of the campgrounds provide bear lockers, so bring appropriate food storage containers.
Variable cell service: Several campgrounds have limited connectivity. Cynthia H. warns about Panther Lake Camping Resort: "Even though they say they have wifi, you can't hook up to it unless you are at the pavilion. And good luck getting cell service! It's like a black hole of signals there."
Seasonal openings: Most campgrounds operate from April through October. "We stayed at site 11 on Lake Ocquittunk. While making reservations it said almost all sites were full but upon arrival the vast majority of sites were empty which made for a quiet/relaxing night," reports Josh S. about his September visit to Stokes State Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Shallow swimming areas: Panther Lake offers family-friendly water activities. Jojo P. mentions, "We went on 4th of July weekend so the place was packed. 2 teenage girls had a blast in the lake and riding their bikes around." Several other campgrounds feature small lakes suitable for children.
Free water activities: Great Divide Campground provides complimentary water recreation. "Kids had lots of fun on the free kayaks and pool," notes Jojo P., adding that "staff was friendly and helpful." This makes glamping in northern New Jersey budget-friendly for families with children.
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds feature play areas. Dan B. shares that at Camp Taylor, there's "a nice playground with tons of kids running all over. The swimming pond is pleasant and great to cool off in." He adds that unlike many other campgrounds, "they are very good about actually enforcing the quiet hours at night."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for large vehicles: Spruce Run Recreation Area offers various site options for RVs. Douglas P. advises, "If bringing your RV, the safest bet is to reserve a spot with no shade as the other spots often times have very low hanging tree limbs." This helps prevent potential damage to your vehicle.
Water hookup strategy: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation has solutions for distant water connections. "Website lists water hook ups at long distances but they have hose reels to help with that. Our site (15) said 75' however the 50' hose reel made it to our rv connection," shares antruze, noting the campground's thoughtful provision for RVers.
Dual-site strategy: For RVers wanting both scenery and hookups at Spruce Run, Ruette W. suggests a creative approach: "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. It's kind of worth it."
