Round Valley State Park Campground provides backcountry camping options near Mendham, New Jersey, with sites accessible only by hiking 3 to 6 miles or by boat. Located approximately 20 miles from Mendham at an elevation of 400 feet, the park centers around a 2,350-acre reservoir that reaches depths of 180 feet. Seasonal operation runs from April 1 to October 31, with primitive campsites featuring minimal amenities and requiring significant preparation for access.
What to do
Hiking to secluded campsites: At Round Valley State Park Campground, campers access backcountry sites via challenging trails. "The hike is a 3 mile minimum 6 max. The view was KILLER," shares James R., who adds that "The water is crystal clear, the area is clean."
Wolf preserve tours: Camp Taylor Campground offers unique wildlife experiences with the on-site Lakota Wolf Preserve. "With tours leaving the campground twice a day on both Saturday and Sundays for the wolf preserve, I was glad there was camping so close," notes Denise D. Another camper mentioned, "There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance."
Paddling opportunities: Multiple water access points exist at several campgrounds. At Jenny Jump State Forest, one visitor explained, "This place was great, they allow dogs and had hiking trails with beautiful views you could enjoy right from your campground." For fishing enthusiasts, Josh S. at Stokes State Forest noted, "We stayed at site 11 on Lake Ocquittunk...with the road directly in front and water about 50 yards away."
What campers like
Secluded natural settings: Many campers appreciate the privacy available at Mountainview Campground. One reviewer noted, "Beautiful, quiet, wooded area, not that remote, but feels like a million miles away." Christina H. elaborated on the wildlife experience: "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!"
Water recreation access: The reservoir at Round Valley provides exceptional water activities. Riley K. observed, "Well maintained campsites. Fire pit had a medal grate to cook on. Beautiful area. We paddled in, the water is very clean and crystal clear." Several campgrounds offer boat rentals, fishing opportunities, and swimming areas with designated beaches.
Diverse accommodation options: For those seeking elevated camping experiences or glamping in Mendham, New Jersey region, Great Divide Campground provides unique options. One visitor noted, "They also had covered wagons which I believe you can sleep in." Jesse C. summarized their experience: "All the positive reviews about this place are accurate! Beautiful, clean, well maintained, lots to do, great value for your $$."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance bookings, especially for premium glamping sites near Mendham. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, a camper advised, "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."
Bear safety precautions: Several campgrounds are in black bear territory. At Stokes State Forest, reviewers mention that "proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided." One visitor to Spruce Run experienced wildlife firsthand: "Three black bears strolled by the campsite next to ours in the early morning—gave us more of an energy boost after a sleepless night than our coffee!"
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts camping conditions significantly in this region. While most luxury glamping accommodations near Mendham operate from April through October, amenities vary by season. One Jenny Jump visitor noted, "The mattresses are vinyl covered, so you can wipe them down with your own sanitizing wipes. There was hand sanitizer in each cabin as well."
Terrain challenges: Many sites feature rocky or uneven ground. At Stokes State Forest, campers report "Most of the campsites were very rocky, but you can find some that have a little bit of grass." For glamping units with platforms, this issue is minimized.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Panther Lake Camping Resort offers numerous family amenities. One visitor commented, "This is a smallish campground with many seasonal spots and some rental spots. The showers were free and clean with hot water and decent pressure." Another parent appreciated that it was "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."
Bathroom accessibility: When camping with children, proximity to facilities matters. At Stokes State Forest, a visitor noted, "Bathrooms and shower were all single stall and very clean, only a 5 min walk from our site. Two water sources nearby as well." Some sites at Shotwell campground even have their own facilities: "For the most part, each campsite has its own porta potty or it shared with a couple other sites."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer wildlife learning experiences. Camp Taylor's wolf sanctuary provides educational tours, while at Round Valley, Stuart K. recommends preparing for the educational hiking experience: "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."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers suitable RV sites with utilities. A camper noted, "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."
Site selection strategies: Level sites are important for RV camping. At Mountainview Campground, one reviewer shared, "The landing for the camper was even with gravel and the rest of the site was mostly even. The power station was well intact with 15/20, 30, and 50amp."
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for larger rigs. At Great Divide Campground, Jojo P. warned, "Campgrounds have lots of hills so be prepared to hike up and down." For RVers considering glamping sites near Mendham, Jeff W. noted that Mahlon Dickerson "has large, wooded campsites with electric and water. It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities."
