The Lake Hopatcong region sits at approximately 925 feet above sea level in New Jersey's highlands, creating cooler temperatures than surrounding lowland areas. RV sites near Lake Hopatcong range from densely wooded mountain locations to more open settings with lake views. Cell service quality varies widely between carriers throughout the highlands, with many remote campgrounds experiencing limited connectivity.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers direct trail connections from campsites to the surrounding woods. "There are plenty of trails, water (creeks, pond, lake) views and even if the place is packed there is PLENTY of room," notes one camper who describes it as their favorite campground ever.
Petting farm visits: Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort maintains a small animal enclosure where children can interact with farm animals. "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool," explains a visitor who appreciated this unique feature at a campground that remains open from April through October.
River fishing spots: Tri-State RV Park provides direct access to riverside locations. "They are also located right on a river that you can easily access by foot," reports one camper. This park serves primarily as a convenient overnight stop rather than a destination campground.
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provides substantial spacing between campsites. "The campsites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large," notes a reviewer who appreciates the park's quiet setting. The reservation also features raised wooden platforms at tent sites to keep gear dry.
Convenient NYC access: Liberty Harbor RV Park offers strategic placement for city exploration. "There is a ferry 100-yards away that takes you to Wall Street M-F. There is a great market about 1/4 of a mile away, and the path that can take you to WTC or 33rd Street area is only a mile away," explains a visitor who found the location's convenience outweighed its basic amenities.
Updated park infrastructure: Mountain Top RV Park has invested in significant upgrades to their facilities. "The newly upgraded camp infrastructure elevated the stay, providing amenities for comfort and entertainment. The family-friendly atmosphere was evident through the thoughtfully designed property, including an updated pool, playground, game room, and a brand-new pickleball court," mentions a recent visitor.
What you should know
Off-season limitations: Many rv campgrounds near Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey operate seasonally with reduced services outside peak months. At Thousand Trails Timothy Lake North, visitors noted significant limitations: "ignore the website amenities and pictures, NO laundry, No store, No wifi, No personnel. You have to check in at a completely different campground then drive up here and try to find a site."
Traffic noise considerations: Highway proximity affects several campgrounds. At Tri-State RV Park, reviewers consistently mention noise issues: "Located just off the highway so lots of vehicle noise 24/7. Sites are on a gravel lot," and another notes, "While the staff is very friendly and polite you are basically in an old parking lot right below the freeway. Very easy to get on & off the highway but loud highway noise almost all night."
Varying site quality: Site conditions can differ significantly within the same property. At Timothy Lake North, a camper observed: "Very rocky and I don't mean crushed stone, nope just rocks all over the site. Then come to find out no fire ring was available. So we took all the rocks around our site and made our own."
Tips for camping with families
Animal encounters: Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort offers animal interaction opportunities that children particularly enjoy. "My daughter loved the horses and goats," mentions one parent. Another visitor notes the farm has "fantastic scenic views and plenty of planned activities to keep you occupied."
Weekend activity planning: Campgrounds near Lake Hopatcong often schedule organized events on weekends. One visitor to Pleasant Acres mentioned, "There were some organized activities which was nice, not as much as a Jellystone Park. The playground, hayride, animals to feed (goats, chickens, donkey and pony) provided good family fun."
Swimming options: Several Lake Hopatcong area rv campgrounds maintain pools as alternatives to lake swimming. At Mountain Top RV Park, families appreciated "the updated pool" as part of the campground's family-friendly features, along with the "playground, game room, and brand-new pickleball court."
Tips from RVers
Route selection caution: When navigating to Thousand Trails Scotrun, experienced RVers emphasize using designated routes. While specific directions weren't provided in reviews, this advice aligns with the mountainous terrain where some roads may have sharp turns or steep grades unsuitable for larger rigs.
Utility hookup quality: RV campers should verify hookup functionality before setup. At Woodland Trails RV and Campground, a visitor discovered: "The site was supposed to have electric and water hookup. Electric worked but the water did not. Most of the sites were empty, so I investigated and found that none of the water hookups in the 5 sites around us worked."
Laundry facilities: Limited laundry access requires planning for extended stays. At Liberty Harbor RV Park, a camper reported, "The laundry was not working properly and ate a good $5 of our quarters. We went to the office where the security guard told us that they cannot do anything and that we would need to come back when the office was open."
