Camping near Mine Hill, New Jersey ranges from spacious, wooded tent sites to lakefront campgrounds with varied terrain and elevation changes. Sites throughout the region sit at elevations between 500-1,500 feet, with many areas experiencing cooler night temperatures even in summer months. The region's camping season typically runs April through October, with some campgrounds extending into November or offering year-round options for experienced winter campers.
What to do
Hiking on the Appalachian Trail: Access points to the Appalachian Trail can be found at Stokes State Forest where 12 miles of the trail run through the forest boundaries. A camper reports, "There are 21 marked trails that cover over 63 miles within the boundaries of Stokes State Forest. Twelve miles are part of the Appalachian Trail."
Paddling and boating: Round Valley State Park Campground offers access to a 2,350-acre reservoir where campers can paddle in to boat-accessible sites. As one reviewer noted, "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."
Wildlife observation: Multiple campgrounds in the area provide opportunities for wildlife viewing. At Jenny Jump State Forest, hikers often spot local wildlife on trails. One camper shares, "We hiked to Ghost Lake" while another recommends visiting "the wolf reserve" which is accessible from some camping areas.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Jenny Jump State Forest receives praise for its site layout. According to one camper, "The camp sites are nicely laid out to ensure privacy. This park is high up on a mountain and affords lovely views. Well kept and clean." Another visitor mentioned, "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."
Access to water activities: Worthington State Forest Campground offers direct river access that campers appreciate. A reviewer explains, "Our campsite was located along the Delaware river with a short walk down to be able to launch our canoe and kayak. With the exception of a few noisy campers up from us it was an enjoyable time. The water is rather warm and swimming was enjoyable."
Rustic camping experiences: For those seeking more primitive options, several campers highlight the appeal of hike-in or boat-in sites. One Round Valley camper notes, "The hike is a 3 mile minimum 6 max. The view was KILLER. 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."
What you should know
Bear activity: Several campgrounds require proper food storage due to bear activity. At Stokes State Forest, visitors are reminded that "this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes." Similarly, a camper at Great Divide Campground mentioned, "There are some other sites that def are separate. If you have a big crew then there are plenty of joint spots."
Alcohol policies vary: Alcohol policies differ between state parks and private campgrounds. State parks typically prohibit alcohol, while private campgrounds often permit it. A camper at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation noted, "Campground rules do not list anything about alcohol on the website or the emailed rules given after reservation, however there is a alcohol prohibited sign as you enter."
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds have limited facilities in off-seasons. A visitor to Swartswood State Park explained, "We went out of season so there were no lifeguards, or anything 'open' at the pavilion. We are always after campgrounds with as little going on as possible other than the nature so this would not be a place for us during the summer when I imagine it gets quite packed."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with activities: Panther Lake Camping Resort offers numerous family-friendly options. One camper shares, "Great for kids and families. Liitte crowded for couples who want peace and quiet the staff was great to deal with." Another mentions, "We went on 4th of July weekend so the place was packed. We were able to get a secluded spot in the woods which was great! 2 teenage girls had a blast in the lake and riding their bikes around."
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy on weekends or holidays. A visitor noted, "One family had a large movie screen outside watching movies every night and another group of maybe 40 just partied all day and night." When seeking a quieter experience, midweek visits are recommended.
Choose sites with amenities that match your needs: Families with young children might prefer campgrounds with modern facilities. At Stephens State Park, a visitor reported, "The campground was wonderful. Our site:29 was plenty big enough for a large tent and a hammock. We could have easily fit another large tent. It was set back from the road and shady. The bathrooms and showers were clean."
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Several campgrounds have limited access for larger RVs. At Swartswood State Park Campground, one RVer noted, "The campground as a whole and the individual sites are kind of tricky for bigger rigs. We are in a 26ft class c and we squeezed through, and there were a few sites where we could have made it work, but I can imagine a big class A or 5th wheel having a tough time."
Water and electric hookup availability: Water hookup distances can vary significantly between campgrounds. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, a camper shared, "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."
Leveling and site condition: Terrain throughout the Mine Hill region can be uneven. At Stokes State Forest, a visitor explained, "Sites 8-11 are adjacent to the road and in peak times probably have a fair about of foot and vehicle traffic." Another camper at Great Divide noted, "Most sites are level. Some areas are a little steeper then I would like to set up on, but that's me."
