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Camping in the Mendham, New Jersey area ranges from state parks to private camping resorts within a 30-mile radius. Round Valley State Park Campground and Panther Lake Camping Resort provide options for tent, RV, and cabin camping, with several locations offering glamping accommodations. Most established campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from April through October, with Worthington State Forest extending its season until December 31.
Many state parks near Mendham require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends. The terrain varies from lakeside settings to wooded forest campgrounds. "We stayed at Panther Lake as full timers all season. Great during the week but very busy on weekends," notes one visitor, highlighting the seasonal fluctuations in campground occupancy. Road access is generally good for most established campgrounds, though some locations like Stephens State Park may present challenges for larger RVs. Cell service can be spotty, especially at Panther Lake where reception is limited to areas near the entrance and amenities. Most state parks prohibit alcohol consumption and have specific rules regarding pets, with only designated sites allowing them.
Waterfront camping remains popular throughout the region, with Panther Lake, Round Valley, and Spruce Run all offering water access. Several visitors mentioned the natural beauty and fishing opportunities as primary draws. According to one camper at Stephens State Park, "The river is just a small walk down the hill. You can hear the babbling of the river when it's quiet at camp which provided an extra layer of relaxation." The developed campgrounds typically provide fire rings, picnic tables, and access to restrooms. Family-friendly amenities vary widely between public and private campgrounds - state parks offer more basic facilities while private resorts like Panther Lake feature additional recreational options including pools, playgrounds, and organized activities. Campers seeking quieter experiences may prefer weekday visits, as weekend occupancy tends to be significantly higher at most locations.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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 $$"
"Park employees and park police drive around through the day. Some big groups of campers got a little rowdy at night. The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting."
"The actual site was nice and was close to the bathrooms. There was plenty of shade as the sun moved throughout the day."
"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."
"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. "
"Was a bit hard to locate the office to check in but finally found it. The camp site was spacious. The bathrooms were struggling with the plumbing but were fairly clean."
"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."
"We had our 3 Labs with us and they had plenty of walking space. We were within walking distance of Chili's. Close to shopping if you needed something. Reasonably quiet."
"The pit latrines were clean, the water spigots worked fine, and there was plenty of wildlife to see roam through the surrounding areas. It was home away from home."
"There are many things to do close by too like the observatory, Round Valley beach, Grounds for Art, etc. We all really enjoyed ourselves and plan on returning."
ScoutNo hookups. It was wooded, quiet and dark at night. I used the dump station on my way out. The first time I ever saw a poop fountain. The sewer opening sticks up above ground level. The cover swivels away, so I couldn't put it on top of my hose. And then, when I tried to rinse it, there was nowhere for it to go, because the inlet is elevated.
ScoutWe reserved for a day. Very bad service. The river is super dirty and they did not even clean the trash cans. Besides, the fire ring has no grill cooking grate, so if you don’t bring your own NO GRILLING. Ryan was the person in front that took care of us, he was rude, my kids felt weird because he was not welcoming at all. Also, we try to ask for a partial refund since we did not felt comfortable since the beginning, and they said NO. We have experience camping, but this one was simply THE WORST. We lost the money but we won’t put our kids in a difficult situation. Thanks.
TravelerWe’ve been to Camp Taylor twice now for tent camping: September 2021 and May 2023. We stayed at the rustic tent sites both times, and there was room for 2 cars and 2 tents. Depending on how you want your setup, there are some that are more secluded and others that are close together and would be great for group camping.
The staff are all lovely and take the time to explain the rules both in-person at check-in and on the forms they provide at the time of booking. They are not hiding how seriously they take rules like quiet hours, and it will keep campers like me coming back. If you are respectful of the folks around you and especially during the posted quiet hours, you will have no problems.
The office and shop keep supply of snacks, firewood, and gifts. There are flush toilets mapped in spots of the tent sites (SUCH a pleasant surprise! I was expecting a porta-potty or vault toilet), and hot showers are available at the same complex as the office.
ScoutWe had such a wonderful stay at Evergreen Lake and Fishing with our 43’ fifth wheel. From the moment we arrived, everything felt calm, welcoming, and well cared for. Having WiFi, electric, and water included in the cost of our stay was a huge plus and made settling in completely stress-free. The grounds are meticulously maintained—you can tell there’s a lot of pride and care put into this place. It’s incredibly peaceful here, the kind of quiet that actually lets you breathe and relax. On top of that, we met so many friendly, kind people during our stay, which really added to the experience and made it feel like a little community rather than just a campground. If you’re looking for a serene, well-kept spot that feels welcoming and comfortable—especially with a larger rig—this place is a gem. We’re so glad we stayed here and would absolutely recommend it.
ScoutI spent 4 days and 3 nights with my 6th grade Girl Scouts. We were at sites 23 and 24 which worked out great because they back up against each other. The bathrooms were super clean and well maintained. There are outlets at the bathroom building by the sink to charge any electronics. The playground is adequate and the field is big for playing. There are many things to do close by too like the observatory, Round Valley beach, Grounds for Art, etc. We all really enjoyed ourselves and plan on returning.
ScoutStayed three nights in a tent and enjoyed it very much. Sites have electrical hookups, shared water connections, large picnic table, and fire ring with adjustable grate. Electrical and water are at the outer edge of each site so you might want an extension cord and/or hose. Bathrooms are clean; showers have separate stalls but they’re clustered together (not the most private). There are hiking and biking trails, a lake, and archery park. Staff are friendly. Office is open through 9pm, and firewood, ice, and bait for fishing are available. Site C3 is in an okay spot; it’s close to the bathroom and laundry room, but also right next to the playground. We were able to visit the beach; easy 25 minute drive to Asbury Park.
RangerThis is an A.T. shelter and campsite. First come, first served. Privy was nice. Flat tentsites for 6 or more. Good for Hammocking also.
RangerI've visited the MOC a bunch of times, and have taken training classes here also. There are campsites for tent camping, cabin stays where you can rent a whole cabin or rent a bunk in a cabin with others. There is a store as well as food options. It's a great place to visit whether you grab a meal, a bunk, or just take a hike. The Appalachian Trail crosses through here also.
ScoutStayed for a quick weekday overnight at a primitive site—fine spot overall. Pros: Restrooms and showers clean and in working order. Pet-friendly. Nice surroundings (though nothing extraordinary). Easy access with a sedan. Cons: most sites are very close to one another with little privacy. Fair amount of road noise. Quiet hours didn’t seem to be enforced—some folks playing music until midnight.
Camping near Mendham, New Jersey encompasses terrain ranging from mountainous landscapes in the northwestern region to more accessible valleys in central locations. The area lies in the Highlands Region of New Jersey, with elevations varying from 400 to 1,200 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with cooler evenings, while spring and fall provide milder conditions with temperature ranges of 45-75°F.
Hiking on marked trails: Round Valley State Park Campground has wilderness campsites accessible via hiking trails. "The hike up in the cushetunk mountain is really nice as well. If you're looking for a getaway without doing backcountry planning this is the place," notes a visitor who appreciated the trails at Round Valley State Park Campground.
Fishing and water sports: The reservoir at Spruce Run Recreation Area provides fishing opportunities year-round. "I did my first solo tent camping by the reservoir and it was perfect. There was so much to see and hiking trails in the campground and nearby," shares one camper who visited Spruce Run Recreation Area.
Observatory visits: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers access to astronomy programs. "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," states a visitor who found the area convenient for exploring multiple attractions.
Secluded waterfront sites: Many campers value the privacy found at Jenny Jump State Forest. "My husband and I tent camped in #34 with our dog. The space was reasonably priced, but we did have to pay an extra $5/day for our dog. However, we didn't mind as it was so private we felt like we had the entire Park to ourselves," reports a visitor to Jenny Jump State Forest.
Boat-in camping options: Several parks offer unique water access camping. "Some of the sites are at least 3 miles to get to unless you take a boat across. Beautiful peaceful and primitive. The reservoir can turn into the Bermuda Triangle at any moment-- be careful," warns a visitor to Round Valley State Park Campground about the boating conditions.
Challenging backcountry experiences: The more remote sites provide genuine wilderness camping. "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," explains a camper describing access to the primitive sites at Round Valley.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby highways. "You can hear 78, especially at night once the campground settles down," mentions a camper at Spruce Run Recreation Area regarding highway sounds.
Bear awareness: Black bears are active in the region, particularly at Worthington State Forest. "They warn for black bears so obvs practice safe routines and leave no trace!" advises a camper who stayed at Worthington State Forest Campground.
Limited connectivity: Cell coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. "The wifi was surprisingly good and I had a very good AT&T signal," reports a camper at Driftstone Campground, which differs from many other campgrounds in the region with limited service.
Water quality issues: Some campgrounds have variable water quality. "While the water in the reservoir may look crystal clear, it is not crystal clean and I would STRONGLY encourage anyone who thinks that it is OK to drink from the reservoir to at least use a Life Straw to ensure they don't get sick," advises a Round Valley camper.
Shower facilities vary: Check bathroom conditions before booking. "The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting. I thought with COVID they were cleaning them more, but for the entire weekend, someone's #2 remained all over the toilet, floor, and corner wall," warns a visitor to Spruce Run Recreation Area.
Activity options: Some campgrounds offer more structured recreation for children. "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," describes a visitor to Driftstone Campground.
Shelter accommodations: Consider alternatives to tent camping for family comfort. "This is the first time we decided to forgo tent camping and reserve a shelter at a state park. We had a much better experience than we were expecting! The 'shelter' is what we would describe as a 'cabin,'" explains a family who stayed at Jenny Jump State Forest.
Site accessibility: Some campgrounds present challenges for larger RVs. "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," notes a camper at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Dump station logistics: Pay attention to dump station placement when selecting sites. "No sewer hookups and the dump station is difficult to get in and out with larger rigs," warns an RVer who stayed at Driftstone Campground.
Navigation considerations: Follow specific routing instructions for larger vehicles. "PLEASE NOTE: if you are towing or have a motorhome, make sure you follow the directions on the website. Coming in from the wrong road could lead you to a hairpin turn and steep hill," cautions a visitor to Driftstone Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Mendham, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Mendham, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 157 campgrounds and RV parks near Mendham, NJ and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Mendham, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mendham, NJ is Round Valley State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 25 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mendham, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Mendham, NJ.
What parks are near Mendham, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Mendham, NJ that allow camping, notably Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Gateway National Recreation Area.
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