Round Valley State Park Campground offers true wilderness camping just 20 miles north of Manville, New Jersey. The campground features primitive sites that can only be accessed by hiking 3-6 miles or by boating across the 2,350-acre reservoir. Tent campers seeking solitude will find Round Valley's remote setting makes it one of the few places near Manville where you can experience yurt camping and other accommodation types in genuine backcountry conditions.
What to do
Paddle to your campsite: At Round Valley State Park Campground, campers can reach their sites by boat instead of hiking the strenuous trails. "We paddled in, the water is very clean and crystal clear," reports Riley K., who appreciated the well-maintained campsites with metal grate fire pits for cooking.
Explore historic landmarks: Washington Crossing State Park offers group camping opportunities near where George Washington's troops crossed the Delaware River. "Washington's crossing is beautiful and historic. We often bike along the canal there. There are farms and animals to see, hikes along the Delaware river, Bowman's tower with a great view of the surrounding area," shares Olivia M.
Try archery: Turkey Swamp Park provides archery facilities for beginners and experienced archers alike. "Plenty to do over a 2 night stay. Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking. Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from," notes Dan W., who found the rates reasonable for boat rentals.
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: Mountainview Campground offers primitive sites that provide genuine privacy. "Stayed at one of the primitive sites. Very clean and quite. Bath stalls and showers are basic but clean. Great spot for stargazing. Owners are very nice," reports Scott A., highlighting the campground's peaceful setting.
Waterfront camping: Spruce Run Recreation Area features campsites along the reservoir shoreline. "My campsite was 34W, right next the reservoir. Nice location however the website said it was full shade. The picnic table was in shade. The spot for the RV was full sun," explains Frank J., who camped during July and enjoyed the reasonable rates.
Wilderness experience: Round Valley's wilderness camping offers a rare opportunity to disconnect. "I have hiked throughout the entire US and consider myself somewhere between a moderate to skilled hiker and I found these trails challenging and uneven, so while the hike we made was only 3 miles, it was not easy," warns Stuart K., emphasizing the effort required to reach the remote campsites.
What you should know
Water access challenges: When planning yurt camping near Manville, New Jersey, remember that water sources can be limited. At Round Valley, "While there are water pumps, the one we had was in pretty rough condition. There are backwoods-style bathroom pits, these are very ill-managed and you'll come across the 'stank' well before actually even arriving here," Stuart K. cautions about the primitive facilities.
Tick awareness: Before booking, check seasonal tick conditions. At Turkey Swamp Park, one camper reported: "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2. That was so crazy because we were just sitting by our camper," according to Laura Y., who found this impacted her enjoyment of the otherwise beautiful park.
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds have strict arrival policies. At Mountainview Campground, "I reserved two nights, but the first night we were not going to be able to arrive until after 9. After talking to them, they would not allow us to come late, but did refund the first night," reports Kyhlea D., noting that while frustrating, the resolution was satisfactory.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Turkey Swamp Park offers dedicated play areas for children. "Centralized playground for the kids with bathrooms and showers next door. Staff was awesome! Attentive and outgoing. We really enjoyed our stay," shares Dan W., appreciating the family-friendly amenities.
Spacious sites for group activities: Families need room to spread out. "Turkey Swamp is a great spot, a lot of different things to do. Fishing, Tent Camp, Van Camping, Open Field, BBQ, Kayaking, Canoeing. The list goes on," according to Tylen L., who found the variety of activities kept everyone engaged.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids often enjoy animal sightings. "Our site was on the water and it was really nice. A duck visited us every morning," reports Jules T. about Spruce Run Recreation Area, highlighting how simple nature encounters can make camping memorable for children.
Tips from RVers
Water hose length: At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, water hookup distances can be challenging. "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," notes antruze, appreciating this thoughtful solution for RVers.
Road conditions: When considering yurt and RV camping options around Manville, pay attention to access roads. At Ringing Rocks Family Campground, one camper observed, "The drive to our site had some inclines and was relatively rocky and some vehicles would surely struggle," indicating that larger RVs might have difficulty at certain campgrounds.
Dump station facilities: Spruce Run Recreation Area provides sanitary facilities for RVs. "They have a dump station for use when leaving. Sites are clean and well maintained. They offer firewood for sale and proceeds go towards camp scholarships," shares melissa N., who appreciated the clean, well-maintained grounds.
