Leo C.
Scout
ScoutWinding Hills Park
Nice but dated
Nice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
Camping near Ledgewood, NJ
173 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Campgrounds near Ledgewood, New Jersey range from established facilities to more rustic settings, with several options within a 20-mile radius. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation and Panther Lake Camping Resort offer accommodations including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Most campgrounds in this region of northern New Jersey provide basic amenities such as drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables, with many also featuring electric hookups. The terrain varies from wooded settings to areas near lakes and ponds, offering different camping experiences depending on location and campground type.
Seasonal considerations significantly affect camping in the Ledgewood area, with most campgrounds operating from April through October. "We went early in the season so many sites had not been maintained in months," noted one camper at Panther Lake. Road access is generally good, with most campgrounds accessible via paved roads, though some areas become difficult after heavy rainfall. Cell service varies considerably across the region, with several reviewers mentioning poor connectivity at certain campgrounds. Temperatures in this part of New Jersey are typically moderate during camping season, with occasional humidity in summer months. Most established campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak summer weekends and holidays.
The lake access at several campgrounds represents a major draw for visitors to the Ledgewood area. "The Lake is the gem of the campground with a really nice beach, good for fishing and kayaking," wrote one visitor about Panther Lake. Many campgrounds feature a mix of seasonal residents and weekend visitors, creating distinct atmospheres depending on when you visit. Bathroom and shower facilities vary widely in quality and cleanliness across different properties. Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds, swimming pools, and organized activities are common at the larger established campgrounds. For those seeking more natural surroundings, state parks like Stephens State Park and Jenny Jump State Forest offer camping with greater privacy and access to hiking trails, though with fewer amenities than private campgrounds.
Best Campgrounds near Ledgewood (173)
1. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
"Located in the Skylands of New Jersey, Mahlon Dickerson Campgound is a perfect place to spend a few nights or a couple of weeks. The campsites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large."
"It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities."
2. Panther Lake Camping Resort
"Panther lake was a pretty good campground with lots of spots to camp at. Our campsite had a picnic bench and a fire ring. They offer both RV and primitive camping."
"The Lake is the gem of the campground with a really nice beach, good for fishing and kayaking. The negatives were the bathrooms. They are very primitive and quite dirty."
3. Great Divide Campground
"Our 4rth state in our 5 state trip is New Jersey! We wanted to see Delaware Water Gap NRA & I found a campground by Newton called The Great Divide. This is a private campground."
"All the positive reviews about this place are accurate! Beautiful, clean, well maintained, lots to do, great value for your $$"
4. Jenny Jump State Forest
"The bathroom/shower was only a few steps away which was convenient and clean."
"All the sites are set up nearby the office where people are all day should you ever need anything. The workers are super friendly and regularly make rounds of the grounds."
5. Round Valley State Park Campground
"The crystal-clear water is home to huge lake trout and the forests are bursting with wildlife. The sunsets across the lake are to die for."
"Once you get to the campground trail it’s pretty easy going on asphalt surface."
6. Swartswood State Park Campground
"We booked a campsite at the far end of the loop by the lake, which looked to be the right spot for some privacy, but a longer walk to the bathroom and water spigot."
"The campsites are slightly separated from the lake (maybe 8 min walk to lake) but that also means you aren’t bothered by day guests. The lake is beautiful! Great for swimming and fishing."
7. Worthington State Forest Campground — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
"Full bathrooms are located behind campsite #15 (clean flushing bathrooms, with motion-sensed lighting, showers, dishwashing sink), but easily accessible from campsites nearby."
"Bathrooms with flush toilets are conveniently located centrally every so often."
8. Stephens State Park Campground
"There are dumpsters but no recycling (not sure if New Jersey segregates recycling after pickup). ATT had some reception but we forgot to check the Verizon phone. "
"Just 1.5 hours outside of NYC, site was a bit close to the neighbors (fire pit was very far back and basically in the neighbors’ campsite, but we put up a “privacy clothesline” and hung a tarp over it"
9. Stokes State Forest
"It was a solid choice: private but close to the toilet and water. Some sites located around the opposite side of the ring back up to a babbling brook. The rushing water will soothe you to sleep."
"We stayed at the campsite at Lake Ocquittunk Area. Campsite was very spacious and had a platform where we were able to fit two tents. There was plenty of space on the site for more tents."
from $7 - $55 / night
Check Availability10. Camp Taylor Campground
"Positives: sites are decent sized with fire pits and picnic tables. easy access to hiking, convenient to a beautiful vineyard, peaceful region, and the most amazing wolf preserve is right next to you. "
"They were knowledgeable about the surrounding towns, their campground, and basically everything nature related. This was our very first night camping in an RV (we were renters at the time)."
from $33 - $42 / night
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Drive Time
- 47 min from New York, NY
- 50 min from Kiryas Joel, NY
- 1 hr 7 min from Allentown, PA
- 1 hr 13 min from Trenton, NJ
Recent Camping Photos near Ledgewood, NJ
531 Photos of 173 Ledgewood Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Stephens State Park Campgroundj
Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
Great Divide Campground
Kittatinny Valley State Park Campground
Jenny Jump State Forest
Swartswood State Park Campground
Wooded Campground
Spruce Run Recreation AreaY
Round Valley State Park Campground
Camp Mohican Outdoor Center — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Driftstone Campground
Kymers Camping Resort
Recent Reviews near Ledgewood, NJ
1018 Reviews of 173 Ledgewood Campgrounds
Thomas B.
RangerNeversink River Resort
Cool Riverside Campground
I'll start by saying this is a site-specific review (C20). I booked using Campspot and didn't select my own site but put in the criteria for my rig (30ft TT plus truck) and got a 50A back-in spot. The site was big but abnormal. Between the picnic table placement and the trees, I ended up right around 50ft from the electric and water, and the water spigot was so low I could barely put on my camco filter. With the uneven dirt roads, I had to unhitch with my truck in a gigantic puddle (lol). The site was otherwise fine aside from my gate code not working on Day 2. As for the campground as a whole, I thought it was pretty unique place by the river that offered several good amenities and activities, like downstream river tubing, an arcade, bathroom/shower facilities, a small store, little trails, and more. I would say this place borders the more primitive side.
Edwin R.ScoutCheesequake State Park Campground
Park uses county cops to shut down park by 9pm.
On Friday, September 4, 2026, I rented a trailer and brought my family to Cheesequake State Park to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary over the extended Labor Day weekend. Around 9:20 PM—well before the park's designated 10:00 PM quiet hours—we were sitting inside our canopy, playing Jenga, and listening to low background music. Two officers from the Matawan Police Department approached our campsite. They were polite and courteous, simply offering a standard reminder to wrap things up by 10:00 PM. Before they could leave, however, a third, senior officer intervened. Wanting to"show them how it's done," he made the two polite officers return and stand by to watch as he demonstrated how to aggressively harass campers. Flashlight in hand, the senior officer approached with an immediate hostile attitude, treating us like criminals as he demanded to know who rented the site. He began reiterating rules and claimed we had too many vehicles. We had three cars, one belonging to my brother-in-law's girlfriend, who was visiting with her daughter. She had paid the$10 visitor fee at the main office and was instructed by staff to obtain the gate access code from us, the primary renters, if she got locked in. No staff member ever informed her of an 8:00 PM visitor departure deadline, leading us to reasonably assume visitors were permitted until quiet hours began at 10:00 PM. The officer rudely snapped that she had been given wrong information. The senior officer then used profanity in front of three small children, aggressively telling her to ("get her shit and get the fuck out!") in that manner or use profanity, the officer went from hostile to furious. He angrily declared that these were official violations and threatened that he could be issuing us tickets instead. Desperately searching for anything and everything to throw at us, he demanded that we turn off our idling car—which was supplying power to our campsite—and instructed us to make sure the campfire was doused before shutting down for the night. He then proceeded to shine his flashlight into our private setup—including our canopy, tents, and the inside of our trailer—searching for any other possible violation while the two polite officers were forced to watch. What was supposed to be a special 10th wedding anniversary celebration with my family was completely ruined by a senior officer misusing his authority to put on an unnecessary display of intimidation. Worse than just ruining our night, he spent that evening teaching those two police officers how to be bad cops. He corrupted two officers in real time, demonstrating firsthand exactly why most people have lost faith in the police force. The next day we was ready for them. We turned off our lights and quietly by the fire while they went next door to harass an asian family that had just set up camp and had their leds lights on.
- eedgar V.Scout
Black Bear RV Park
Super clean and quiet
Past reviews has mentioned that the office seems to be closed often, while I found that to be true I had no reason to contact anyone. This is definitely one of the cleanest quiets site I’ve ever visited
- Thomas B.Ranger
Tohickon Family Campground
Simple, peaceful FHU
We stayed just a couple nights here on our way north. The camp host was helpful before our stay and during check-in. Our site was pretty isolated from the others, so it was very quiet (no complaints here). There is a decent mix of sunny sites by the river and shady sites under the trees. The weather was perfect mid September. There wasn't anything spectacular for me, but it was a good experience and it was a nice taste of fall PA scenery. Beware that the roads are tight for a big rig. Side note, it did seem like most campers lived there.
- KKelly B.
GuideStephens State Park Campground
Great last min getaway
Booked the day before—even on the holiday weekend! Just 1.5 hours outside of NYC, site was a bit close to the neighbors (fire pit was very far back and basically in the neighbors’ campsite, but we put up a “privacy clothesline” and hung a tarp over it for a bit of extra coverage.
The staff was friendly and helpful, they said it was the busiest they’ve seen the campground all year (there were lots of large groups but everyone seemed to settle down by 9:30pm
Poison ivy was EVERYWHERE at our site so make sure to stick to the open areas and the paths. Lots of families around, we felt very safe Bathrooms were fine—it was my impression they’re usually cleaner but the high traffic of the weekend left a bit to be desired, (lots of families around=dirty diapers in the bathroom trash bin) but it’s camping! I’m not gonna argue w a flushing toilet!
- KKevin F.
TravelerTri-State RV Park
A place to stay in an area lacking campgrounds.
This area seems to be devoid of campgrounds except for this one. It’s basically just a large parking lot with hook ups. Completely open, which is great for Starlink. Bathrooms were slightly above average; fairly clean and places to hang clothes for your shower. Has a laundry but be sure to bring quarters. It is about 100 yards from the interstate so you’ll get a lot of noise and diesel exhaust fumes.
Sue B.RangerDelaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA
Great off season camping
We camped here in our pop up for our Anniversary in November. We were impressed with the cleanliness and available amenities for the time of year we were camping in! Close proximity to DWG and PA AND NJ attractions.
- Sue B.Ranger
Pickerel Point Campground — Promised Land State Park
Great cabins!
We booked a cabin at the last minute and were pleasantly surprised that the cabin had heat and electricity! It was very close to the awesome heated bathroom also! We were also able to catch a beautiful sunset! Great camp all around!
Guide to Ledgewood
Northern New Jersey's camping spots near Ledgewood sit among the highland region at elevations between 700-1,500 feet. The area features a mix of deciduous forests, rocky outcroppings, and small lakes scattered throughout state parks and private campgrounds. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing from December through February, and summer nights often cool to the low 60s even when days reach the 80s.
What to do
Hiking to viewpoints: Several campgrounds offer direct access to scenic hiking trails. At Jenny Jump State Forest, campers can access trails right from their sites. One visitor noted, "There are trail heads near the campsites and longer trails, including access to the Appalachian Trail within a short 10-15 minute drive."
Wolf preserve visits: Camp Taylor Campground provides a unique opportunity to see wolves. "There is a section of RV spots that are each cut out in the woods so very private... You 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," explains one camper.
Water activities: Many campgrounds feature swimming and boating options. At Round Valley State Park Campground, visitors appreciate the large reservoir. "Beautiful and quaint..a nice place to get away and enjoy some nature," writes one reviewer, while another mentions, "Really nice spot to camp very peaceful and quit. Gorgeous sunset, beautiful views."
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Campers frequently mention the privacy of sites in this region. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, reviewers appreciate the spaciousness: "The campsites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large. Water and electric hookups and a dump station."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower facilities. A Swartswood State Park visitor noted, "The bathroom/shower was only a few steps away which was convenient and clean," while another mentioned, "Clean bathrooms with flush toilets and showers, masks required for the pandemic."
Quiet atmosphere: Multiple reviews emphasize the peaceful environment. At Great Divide Campground, one camper shared, "The campgrounds were very big and spread out and the campsites have their own space so you can enjoy quiet at night."
What you should know
Bear country precautions: Multiple campgrounds in the region have active black bear populations. At Worthington State Forest Campground, a reviewer warned, "They warn for black bears so obvs practice safe routines and leave no trace!" Another camper at Swartswood had "a bear encounter which was exciting. Three black bears strolled by the campsite next to ours in the early morning."
Variable site quality: Sites can differ dramatically within the same campground. At Panther Lake Camping Resort, a camper observed, "Most seasonal spots looked like it would be terrible to stay next to because they had fences and sheds set up so it would literally feel like you were camping next to someone's house. If you can score a secluded spot in the woods that would be perfect."
Limited connectivity: Cell service remains spotty throughout the region. One Great Divide Campground visitor noted, "Loved the place! People were nice. Bathrooms were clean. Only issue is the internet is terrible u have to be near the wifi zones."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with activities: Several campgrounds offer family-oriented amenities. A visitor to Stokes State Forest mentioned, "Sussex county is beautiful. Stokes is such a peaceful campground! We stay in the cabins. It's great to have the small kitchen when camping with the family."
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds are quieter than others. At Camp Taylor Campground, a reviewer appreciated that "unlike many other campgrounds we've been to, they are very good about actually enforcing the quiet hours at night, so you can have an actual peaceful and quiet night around the campfire."
Bring entertainment for rainy days: Weather can change quickly in the highlands. One Panther Lake visitor shared, "We went on 4th of July weekend so the place was packed. We were able to get a secluded spot in the woods which was great! 2 teenage girls had a blast in the lake and riding their bikes around."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the mountainous terrain have uneven sites. A Mahlon Dickerson visitor suggested, "Very clean and quiet. 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."
Length limitations: Large rigs may struggle at some campgrounds. One reviewer at Stephens State Park cautioned, "The campground as a whole and the individual sites are kind of tricky for bigger rigs. We are in a 26ft class c and we squeezed through, and there were a few sites where we could have made it work, but I can imagine a big class A or 5th wheel having a tough time."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Ledgewood, NJ?
What camping is available near Ledgewood, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Ledgewood, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 173 campgrounds and RV parks near Ledgewood, NJ and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Ledgewood, NJ?
Which is the most popular campground near Ledgewood, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ledgewood, NJ is Mahlon Dickerson Reservation with a 4.6-star rating from 19 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Ledgewood, NJ?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Ledgewood, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Ledgewood, NJ.
What parks are near Ledgewood, NJ?
What parks are near Ledgewood, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Ledgewood, NJ that allow camping, notably Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Gateway National Recreation Area.
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