Round Valley Recreation Area lies at the heart of camping options near Martinsville, New Jersey, with its 2,350-acre reservoir serving as a centerpiece for outdoor activities. Located in the rolling hills of Hunterdon County at elevations between 400-600 feet, this area offers a mix of wooded and waterfront camping with summer temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F. The region's camping options feature unusual access requirements, with several campgrounds requiring boat or hiking access to reach sites.
What to do
Primitive hiking adventures: Round Valley Recreation Area offers wilderness camping accessible only by hiking 3-6 miles through challenging terrain or by boating across the reservoir. "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," notes one camper at Round Valley State Park Campground.
Waterfront fishing and paddling: Bring your own kayak or canoe to explore the crystal-clear waters at many area lakes and rivers. A visitor to Panther Lake Camping Resort reported, "Boating is great, good fishing, nice pool, big community hot tub... the ceramic class was fun for the girls."
Wildlife observation after dark: The wooded areas around Little York offer unique nighttime wildlife viewing. One camper at Mountainview Campground shared, "Only shortly after we settled into our tent did we hear foxes fighting right outside our tent, the snorts of deer, and there were bats right above us all night making noise!"
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: Many campers praise the privacy at certain campgrounds. "The campsite was very quiet and peaceful. The spot was spacious and comfortable. Close by to a couple of nice state parks. Sweet little spot, we'll definitely be back!" wrote a visitor to Mountainview Campground.
Waterfront vistas: Sites with water views rank among the most sought-after. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, a camper noted, "My campsite was 34W, right next the reservoir. Nice location... Reasonable cost from NJ state website. I paid $41 for 2 days. Campgrounds well spaced apart."
Group-friendly layouts: Sites catering to multiple families are available throughout the region. According to one visitor at Great Divide Campground, "If you have a big crew then there are plenty of joint spots. It was just two of us and two dogs so we would like a little more privacy. But we made it work!"
What you should know
Bathroom conditions vary: Facilities range widely in quality and cleanliness. At Spruce Run, a camper warned, "I can not speak to the condition of the bathrooms, I stopped going into them 6 years ago as soon as I bought a cassette toilet to avoid them. This review would be 5 stars if only they would knock the present facilities down and rebuild really nice ones."
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for close wildlife contact. "We had a great time. Only issue was a skunk that visited our campsite multiple times in one night. Was not afraid of humans," reported a camper at Panther Lake.
Limited supplies nearby: Many campgrounds are remote with limited access to stores. At Jenny Jump State Forest, visitors noted: "The only problem we encountered was that there wasn't a store close by for ice or other essentials, although the main office does sell firewood. They close at 4pm, though, so be sure to get there before then!"
Tips for camping with families
Consider glamping options: For glamping close to Martinsville, New Jersey with children, shelters offer a comfortable introduction to outdoor experiences. A visitor to Turkey Swamp Park shared, "We went camping with our 2- and 3-year-old kids. We were worried about bugs, but we didn't even use mosquito repellent and didn't get a single bite! The campground was super clean too."
Recreation variety: Choose campgrounds with multiple activity options. "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. Campsites are roomy with electric and water hookups," noted a Turkey Swamp visitor.
Check playground locations: Some campgrounds feature well-placed play areas. A camper reported, "Centralized playground for the kids with bathrooms and showers next door. Staff was awesome! Attentive and outgoing."
Tips from RVers
Water hookup distances: At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, an RVer explained, "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."
Site orientation matters: At Camp Carr Campground, an experienced camper advised, "One other tip we prefer even numbered sites as the hook ups for odd number are on the front side of the trailer unless the site is long enough to pull into or you have a motor home."
Electrical service levels: Some glamping sites near Martinsville offer varied electrical capacity. Camp Carr Campground provides fifty-amp electrical service that supports robust climate control systems, while others may offer only thirty-amp connections. "Sites are water and 30 amp electric only no sewer so I recommend bringing your own portable dump tank. They have a dump station for use when leaving."
