Mahlon Dickerson Reservation in northern New Jersey offers several cabin and yurt camping options set within wooded landscapes. Located at an elevation of 1,200 feet, the area features a mix of hardwood forests and rocky outcroppings characteristic of the New Jersey Highlands region. Winter visitors often experience temperatures 5-10 degrees cooler than surrounding lowland areas, with summer highs typically reaching the low 80s.
What to do
Lake activities at Panther Lake: Visitors staying at Panther Lake Camping Resort can take advantage of the swimming options during summer months. "Fun camping place to books groups. Very kid and pet friendly, lake to fish and kayak on, lots of activities, great pool and awesome hot tub," notes one camper.
Hiking trails for all levels: The extensive network at Jenny Jump State Forest connects to scenic overlooks and natural features. "My fiancé, dog, and I have been going here for over 2 years and we love it... We always hike to the lake here, it's a very easy hike and also very peaceful," shares a regular visitor. The forest offers both easy lakeside paths and more challenging terrain with elevation gains.
Kayaking and canoeing: Paddle on multiple lakes and reservoirs throughout the region. At Turkey Swamp Park, "canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental" during summer months, and the park includes "a lake with a boat dock and a small boardwalk" where visitors can launch their own equipment.
What campers like
Private woodland sites: Many campers appreciate the seclusion offered at Stokes State Forest, where "campsites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large." Another reviewer notes the "campsite was very spacious and had a platform where we were able to fit two tents."
Yurt accommodation options: For those interested in yurt camping near Madison, New Jersey, Great Divide Campground offers comfortable alternatives to tent camping. "They had covered wagons which I believe you can sleep in," notes one visitor describing the unique glamping options available alongside traditional yurts.
Accessible facilities: Most campgrounds maintain clean bathroom and shower facilities. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, "there are some RV sites with water & electric which are not on the water, but in the parking lot... It's kind of worth it" for those seeking convenience without sacrificing views.
What you should know
Bear safety precautions: Most campgrounds in northern New Jersey require proper food storage. At Round Valley State Park Campground, "while there are backwoods-style bathroom pits, these are very ill-managed and you'll come across the 'stank' well before actually even arriving here, so we just didn't use them."
Site selection considerations: At Swartswood State Park, "the two main reasons are as follows: When my partner and I drove up to the campground there were multiple signs posted reading, 'NO DOGS ALLOWED IN CAMPGROUND'... I was questioned or warned by other campers about my dog being with me — even though I paid the extra fees online to bring her along."
Seasonal popularity: Many campgrounds reach capacity during summer weekends. At Spruce Run, one camper observed, "There were a decent amount of people on Friday, but significantly more on Saturday. Park employees and park police drive around through the day."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks offer dedicated children's play areas. Turkey Swamp Park includes "age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office," making it convenient for families with young children to find activities within walking distance of their sites.
Swimming options: Swartswood State Park Campground provides designated swimming areas with lifeguards during summer months. A visitor describes it as having "a bit of a 'low frills' campground, but with lots of good hiking trails, fishing spots, and a great beach area for swimming with the kids."
Educational activities: Some parks offer nature programs specifically designed for children. At Great Divide Campground, they "had scheduled activities for kids" and multiple recreation options including "a small soccer field and volleyball court" for family entertainment.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, RVers should note the water connection setup. "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," explains one RVer.
Leveling requirements: Many campgrounds in the region have slightly uneven terrain. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, "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."
Dump station access: Most parks offer dump stations even when full hookups aren't available. At Turkey Swamp Park, "Centralized playground for the kids with bathrooms and showers next door. Staff was awesome! Attentive and outgoing. We really enjoyed our stay."
