Equestrian camping near Morristown, New Jersey is limited as most public campgrounds don't offer dedicated horse facilities. The area sits within the Highlands region at elevations between 400-1,000 feet with humid continental climate patterns. Winter camping options remain available at several locations including Stokes State Forest, which maintains year-round operations regardless of snowfall amounts.
What to do
Kayaking at Spruce Run: Spruce Run Recreation Area offers boat rentals during summer months for water activities on the reservoir. "You can bring a camper, tent, or use one of the cabins. Many sites have a lovely water view of the reservoir. Several playgrounds, boat launches, and life guarded swimming area," writes Jocelyn G. about Spruce Run Recreation Area.
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park includes an archery range among its recreational options. "Plenty to do over a 2 night stay. Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking. Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from," notes Dan W. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Winter activities: During colder months, some parks offer seasonal activities. Patrick M. mentions about Turkey Swamp Park: "Ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods."
What campers like
Privacy and space: Campers appreciate the generous site sizing at many campgrounds. "Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy. A lantern hook, picnic table, and fire ring complete each site," shares Lee D. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Wildlife encounters: The natural setting provides opportunities to observe local fauna. "I've never heard so much wildlife there as I did here. 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!" reports Christina H. about Mountainview Campground.
Lakeside camping: Water-adjacent sites offer scenic views. "We stayed at site #T007... The site itself is huge and we were able to position our tent facing the lake, it was beautiful!" writes Kara L. about Ocquittunk.
What you should know
Bathroom conditions vary: Facility quality differs significantly between campgrounds. "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 Jules T. about Spruce Run Recreation Area.
Ticks and wildlife awareness: Some campers report significant tick issues. "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2. That was so crazy because we were just sitting by our camper," cautions Laura Y. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Bear country precautions: Some campgrounds require proper food storage in bear territory. "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes," notes Trip Over Life about Stokes State Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Platform tent sites: Look for sites with tent platforms for more comfortable family camping. "Campsite was very spacious and had a platform where we were able to fit two tents. There was plenty of space on the site for more tents," recommends E.M.V. about Stokes State Forest.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. "Centralized playground for the kids with bathrooms and showers next door. Staff was awesome! Attentive and outgoing," shares Dan W. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Cabin options: For families not ready for tent camping, cabins provide a good alternative. "The cabins are reasonably priced and well-appointed, if a bit rustic. The interior features are just what you'd expect for getting away for the weekend. The main room has a bunk bed and two twins, a table with benches, two Adirondack chairs, a wood stove set into a fireplace," describes W.L. about Stokes State Forest.
Tips from RVers
RV site selection: Choose appropriate sites based on tree coverage and amenities. "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," advises Douglas P. about Spruce Run Recreation Area.
NYC access options: For RVers wanting to visit New York City, Liberty Harbor RV Park offers proximity to public transportation. "This is a pricey park, but options are limited. As in almost non existent. This is a prime location for visiting the city or heading down the shore. The light rail is a block away, and the path train is about 8," explains Joe R.
Limited hookup trade-offs: Some campgrounds require choosing between scenic sites or full hookups. "They don't mostly have hookups it's a trade off because the sites on the water are just so nice. 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," shares Ruette W. about Spruce Run Recreation Area.
