Most camping sites near Millburn, New Jersey operate seasonally from April through October. The region sits at the edge of the Watchung Mountains with elevation changes creating varied terrain for campers. Winter temperatures in the area typically drop below freezing, explaining why most campgrounds close during colder months.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provides direct access to hiking paths through wooded areas. "We always hike to the lake here, it's a very easy hike and also very peaceful. Definitely come here when you get a chance," notes a regular visitor to Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Water recreation: Round Valley State Park offers boating and swimming in its reservoir. "The water is crystal clear, the area is clean. There's bathrooms and pumps but we just filtered the water from the reservoir instead which tasted a million times better than the well water," explains a camper at Round Valley State Park Campground.
Ferry access to NYC: Jersey City's Liberty Harbor RV Park positions campers near ferry options to Manhattan. "Very convenient location. My wife visited Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The sites had electric and water and were in a fenced off section of the marina parking area," shares a visitor who used the campground as a base for city exploration.
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Some campgrounds offer raised wooden platforms for tents. At Beaver Pond Campground, "Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained or if you are expecting rain during your stay. I also particularly enjoyed the communal sink which made it very convenient and easy to wash dishes and fill up water."
Wilderness camping: For experienced campers, primitive sites require effort but provide solitude. Round Valley Recreation Area offers true wilderness sites that "can only be accessed by hiking 3 to 6 miles– or if you come with your own boat, you can access by water– and can be found on the SE corner of the reservoir."
Off-season tranquility: Visiting during shoulder seasons yields quieter experiences. At Beaver Pond Campground, a visitor noted: "We stayed here on a Thursday night in September prior to taking off backpacking. The campground was clean and quiet. Ranger said that during summer weekends the grounds fill up and can be quite noisy, but mid-week during the off-season it was great."
What you should know
Bear activity: Several parks have active bear populations requiring food storage precautions. At Beaver Pond Campground, "Welcome to Bear Mountain" grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! He is in his ranger hut, checking in the late evening arrivals to the campground... and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area."
Limited amenities: Many campgrounds near Millburn offer basic facilities only. At Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area, "The campground is rustic with no showers or electricity. Tenting only, with all gear needing to be carried to the site. No vehicles allowed at the campsite."
Weather considerations: New Jersey's climate affects camping conditions year-round. "The strangest thing is that hunting is allowed in the state park except on Sundays. There was a sign near our camp site saying don't shoot here because there is a city street 40 yards away," notes a camper about unexpected regulations at Cheesequake State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: Cheesequake State Park offers accessible camping for first-timers. "This is a great site for those who are not avid campers. It's close to town if you forget something and it has all the facilities you may need, bathroom, shower, etc. The best part is all the trails," according to a visitor at Cheesequake State Park Campground.
Scheduled activities: Great Divide Campground organizes programs specifically for children. "The campgrounds were very big and spread out and the campsites have their own space so you can enjoy quiet at night. The common area, along with the pool, had a small soccer field and volleyball court. They also had scheduled activities for kids."
Noise levels: Some campgrounds experience considerable noise, especially on weekends. At Cheesequake State Park Campground, "Like the title says, its ok. I think it would make a better day trip, family BBQ location. the Parkway is right there so its not a nice quiet place."
Tips from RVers
RV site selection: At Great Divide Campground, larger RVs have specific areas. "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. Trash dumpster is an easy walk and the dump station has a flush hose point."
Parking restrictions: Some campgrounds limit vehicle access to RV sites. At Great Divide, "The one downside about this site was that you are not allowed to keep your car at your site. You have to drop your supplies off and drive it back to the parking lot which was slightly annoying."
Dump station access: RVers should confirm sewage disposal options before arrival. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, visitors report it's "Easy to navigate our 38 ft. RV. Easy to dump and fill. Peaceful. Close to train to N.Y. City."
