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."
