Most campgrounds near Morris Plains, New Jersey sit within the highlands region at elevations between 400-1,500 feet. These areas feature deciduous forests, rolling hills, and waterways that create diverse camping experiences year-round. Winter camping options remain available at select sites, with temperatures typically ranging from 20-40°F during colder months.
What to Do
Hiking trails: Stokes State Forest offers over 63 miles of marked trails within its boundaries. "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," notes one camper who hiked the Tillman Ravine trail and recommends making it a loop to "visit both the ravine and the nearby old cemetery."
Water activities: Spruce Run Recreation Area provides access to the reservoir for various water activities. A visitor mentions, "Great for sailing and fishing. Does get a little rowdy at night with some groups that party." The recreation area also features "boat launches and life guarded swimming area" according to another review.
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park includes an archery range for visitors. "Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking. Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from," says one camper about the activities available at this park.
Mountain biking: Allaire State Park features trails for cyclists of all skill levels. "Mountain Biking from easy, paved trails to several miles of single track with everything in between," writes one reviewer who appreciated the variety of cycling options.
What Campers Like
Lakeside camping: At Ocquittunk in Stokes State Forest, campers appreciate the waterfront sites. "The sites had a fire ring with a cooking grate and a picnic table and were well spaced out from other sites. The views of the lake are nice, very peaceful," reports one visitor who stayed at this campground.
Private wooded sites: Turkey Swamp Park offers secluded campsites within a forested setting. "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest," notes one camper. Another adds, "Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy."
Riverside scenery: Mountainview Campground provides access to nearby Delaware River views. One visitor noted, "The whole scene was exactly what I love about camping, a nice little remote campground in the mountains." Another mentioned it's "close to the River Towns in NJ" while still feeling remote in the wooded spots.
Urban camping convenience: Liberty Harbor RV Park offers proximity to NYC with transportation options. "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 tue marina parking area," shares a reviewer who appreciated the urban camping experience.
What You Should Know
No horse facilities: None of the campgrounds within 30 miles of Morris Plains offer dedicated equestrian facilities or horse corrals. Campers seeking equestrian camping near Morris Plains, New Jersey need to look further afield for horse-friendly accommodations.
Bear awareness: Pickerel Point Campground and other forested areas require proper food storage. Reviewers at nearby Stokes State Forest warn, "This is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes."
Bathroom conditions vary: Facility maintenance differs between parks. At Spruce Run, a camper reported: "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."
Traffic noise: Some campgrounds experience highway sounds. A camper at Spruce Run notes, "Close to the parkway, constant road noise. You can hear 78, especially at night once the campground settles down."
Tips for Camping with Families
Cabin options: Several parks offer cabin accommodations for families not ready for tent camping. At Stokes State Forest, a visitor recommends, "We stay in the cabins. It's great to have the small kitchen when camping with the family. A must see campground."
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. "There is a playground for kids," notes a visitor to Mountainview Campground, while Turkey Swamp Park offers "age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office."
Educational opportunities: Camp Mohican Outdoor Center provides nature-based learning experiences. "The Visitor Center is only 3/10 mile away and has wi-fi, bathrooms/showers and a shop with food that is open from 8am to 8pm. The AT runs right through the camp," shares one reviewer, highlighting the center's resources.
Wildlife viewing: Several parks offer opportunities to observe local fauna. A camper at Mountainview noted, "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!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection for large rigs: Some campgrounds have limited space for bigger RVs. At Allaire State Park, a visitor suggests, "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."
Electric hookups: Plan for power needs at campgrounds with limited services. At Liberty Harbor RV Park, a camper reports, "There is a dump station, but not the easiest to use. The laundry was not working properly and ate a good $5 of our quarters."
Water access planning: Not all sites offer direct hookups. "We luckily have some solar so we can go for awhile without running the generator. We fill our fresh water tank for and bring drinking water," advises an RVer at Spruce Run, adding that "Some RV sites with water & electric which are not on the water, but in the parking lot."
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. For Turkey Swamp Park, visitors recommend booking early as "the campground was full of mostly families" during summer weekends.
