Best Campgrounds near Mount Olive, NJ

Camping near Mount Olive, New Jersey encompasses a range of established campgrounds within the scenic Skylands region of northern New Jersey. The area is surrounded by several state parks and recreation areas, including Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, Stephens State Park, and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Most campgrounds accommodate tent camping, RVs, and many offer cabin rentals. Great Divide Campground in nearby Newton and Panther Lake Camping Resort in Andover provide full-service options with amenities for families, while state park campgrounds offer more rustic experiences with access to hiking trails and water activities.

Most campgrounds in the Mount Olive area operate seasonally from April through October, with peak season running May through September. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends when New York City residents seek outdoor escapes. Weather conditions vary significantly by season, with hot, humid summers and occasional thunderstorms, while spring and fall offer milder temperatures ideal for camping. Bear activity is present in the region, particularly in the Delaware Water Gap area, requiring proper food storage. Cell service can be spotty in more remote campgrounds, though coverage is generally reliable at private campgrounds closer to town.

State park campgrounds like Stephens State Park and Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provide more natural settings with larger, more private sites. According to reviews, Mahlon Dickerson offers "paved and mostly level sites that are wooded and large" with convenient access to hiking trails. Private campgrounds tend to have more amenities but can be busier. Great Divide Campground features "kayaks for camper use, horseshoes, volleyball, a pool, a playground, and a dog park," according to one visitor. For those seeking a unique experience, boat-in camping is available at several sites along the Delaware River, though these primitive sites require paddling access and have strict regulations enforced by the National Park Service.

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Best Camping Sites Near Mount Olive, New Jersey (177)

    1. Panther Lake Camping Resort

    17 Reviews
    Andover, NJ
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 347-4440

    "Panther lake was a pretty good campground with lots of spots to camp at. Our campsite had a picnic bench and a fire ring. They offer both RV and primitive camping."

    "The Lake is the gem of the campground with a really nice beach, good for fishing and kayaking. The negatives were the bathrooms. They are very primitive and quite dirty."

    2. Great Divide Campground

    16 Reviews
    Andover, NJ
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 383-4026

    " Our 4rth state in our 5 state trip is New Jersey! We wanted to see Delaware Water Gap NRA & I found a campground by Newton called The Great Divide. This is a private campground."

    "All the positive reviews about this place are accurate! Beautiful, clean, well maintained, lots to do, great value for your $$"

    3. Jenny Jump State Forest

    14 Reviews
    Johnsonburg, NJ
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (908) 459-4366

    "The bathroom/shower was only a few steps away which was convenient and clean."

    "All the sites are set up nearby the office where people are all day should you ever need anything. The workers are super friendly and regularly make rounds of the grounds."

    4. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation

    18 Reviews
    Jefferson, NJ
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 697-3140

    "Located in the Skylands of New Jersey, Mahlon Dickerson Campgound is a perfect place to spend a few nights or a couple of weeks. The campsites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large."

    "It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities."

    5. Round Valley State Park Campground

    25 Reviews
    Lebanon, NJ
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (908) 236-6355

    "The crystal-clear water is home to huge lake trout and the forests are bursting with wildlife. The sunsets across the lake are to die for."

    "Once you get to the campground trail it’s pretty easy going on asphalt surface."

    6. Worthington State Forest Campground — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

    39 Reviews
    Shawnee on Delaware, NJ
    21 miles
    Website

    "Full bathrooms are located behind campsite #15 (clean flushing bathrooms, with motion-sensed lighting, showers, dishwashing sink), but easily accessible from campsites nearby."

    "Bathrooms with flush toilets are conveniently located centrally every so often."

    7. Camp Taylor Campground

    24 Reviews
    Pahaquarry, NJ
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (908) 496-4333

    $33 - $42 / night

    "Positives: sites are decent sized with fire pits and picnic tables. easy access to hiking, convenient to a beautiful vineyard, peaceful region, and the most amazing wolf preserve is right next to you.  "

    "They were knowledgeable about the surrounding towns, their campground, and basically everything nature related. This was our very first night camping in an RV (we were renters at the time)."

    8. Spruce Run Recreation Area

    15 Reviews
    Bethlehem, NJ
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (908) 638-8572

    "Park employees and park police drive around through the day. Some big groups of campers got a little rowdy at night. The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting."

    "The actual site was nice and was close to the bathrooms. There was plenty of shade as the sun moved throughout the day."

    9. Driftstone Campground

    15 Reviews
    Mount Bethel, PA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 897-6859

    $62 - $70 / night

    "Driftstone is set on a beautiful location on the Delaware River. River Road on which it is located, is picturesque and quiet enough to run, walk or bike on."

    "Driftstone is a gem of a campground at a great location on the Delaware. Easy access to Delaware Gap Recreation Area. Sites are pretty spacious with water and electric hookups."

    10. Stephens State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Hackettstown, NJ
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (908) 852-3790

    "There are dumpsters but no recycling (not sure if New Jersey segregates recycling after pickup). 

    ATT had some reception but we forgot to check the Verizon phone. "

    "Was a bit hard to locate the office to check in but finally found it. The camp site was spacious. The bathrooms were struggling with the plumbing but were fairly clean."

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Recent Reviews near Mount Olive, NJ

976 Reviews of 177 Mount Olive Campgrounds


  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Round Valley State Park Campground

    Get Your Hard-Core Hiking In To Enjoy This CG

    Located just south of I78 and near the small hamlets of Clinton and Lebanon, what I love most about Round Valley SP is the fact that it has its very own eponymous fresh water reservoir, which spanning some 2,350 acres and is 180 feed deep in the middle, this body of water provides a solid amount of upside for anyone wanting to kayak, canoe or swim. One of the greatest assets at this particular SP CG are the wonderful rangers who keep this place in such tip-top condition year-round. From the North Picnic Area, Bray’s Hill Preserve and Round Valley Beachhead to the East Picnic Area, Round Valley Farm on the eastern side of the reservoir as well as Round Valley Rec Area, there’s a lot to explore at this SP.

    One interesting fact about this place– believe it or not– it is the only NJ SP that actually offers up true wilderness camping(a.k.a. primitive), which 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. There is a second area nearby called Spruce Run Recreation Area that can be accessed by driving to this location, which is on the other side of I78 NW of Round Valley SP. That said, if you’re looking to camp here at Round Valley, I highly recommend you boat in as the hiking path is incredibly difficult to manage without hauling all of your camping gear, so coming in with a ton of gear is even more difficult/ prohibitive.

    When you finally do arrive to this primitive CG immersed in NJ’s thick wild foliage, you’ll experience waterfront bliss with a crystalline bevy of trout-infused reservoir water, and you won’t get much in the way of amenities, apart from a few random water pumps and some rocks piled in a circle that, um, I guess makes up a fire ring. While there are backwoods-style bathroom pits, these are very ill-managed and you’ll come across the‘stank’ well before actually even arriving here, so we just didn’t use them. There’s picnic tables, but the one we had was in pretty rough condition. The thing I found odd about the place is that after hiking so far in to get to this location, you’re not allowed to swim in the reservoir, which kind of defeats the entire point IMHO. That said, the views are amazing and because there’s nothing else in these parts, you will experience true peace in nature.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few:(1) Whether hiking or kayaking to this CG, you will want to bring as little with you as possible– packing too much to come here just isn’t worth the work;(2) We found parking in the Southern Lot to be perfectly fine and while we were initially worried about leaving our vehicle parked there for a few nights, we were reassured by the park rangers who patrol the lot constantly;(3) While the water in the reservoir may look crystal clear, it is not crystal clean and I would STRONGLY encourage anyone who thinks that it is OK to drink from the reservoir to at least use a Life Straw to ensure they don’t get sick;(4) 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, so while the hike we made was only 3 miles, it was not easy and I would be worried about someone breaking an ankle getting to this CG– so at a minimum, ensure you are wearing proper hiking boots. Seriously, for what this SP puts you through to access this CG one really needs to question why they’re being charged anything at all in the first place.

    Happy Camping!

  • Kylie R.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Mountain Vista Campground

    A mix of being able to unplug but also have the ammenities avavilble if wanted/needed

    This campground is very clean, staff and campers are very friendly. It’s a great spot if you have kids because they have many different activities(pool/arcade games/movie nights/ and more.)

  • Damia F.
    Aug. 29, 2025

    High Point State Park Campground

    Relaxing and Well-Maintained

    Stayed 2 nights and it was really nice. Camping for summer is pretty limited to Sawmill Lake, as the other locations are for groups or winter camping. Camps are secluded from each other and most if not all have an elevated space to put tents or chairs. Each place comes with a lamp hang, a fire pit, and a picnic table. Bathrooms are spaced out. No running water except for pump founded outside of the bathrooms. Toilets are pump flushed. Showers are only located INSIDE High Point State Park, not throughout the campsites, but entry is free for campers. One hiking trail is accessible in Sawmill campground, 3 others are accessible on the road outside of the campground and the rest are located inside the park. When you arrive you have to check in with the park office for your campsite tag. Hours are 8-4. Park officials come through the campsites pretty regularly, a few times a day which is nice. Areas are clean and well maintained.

  • j
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Cranberry Run Campground

    Don’t Stay here!!

    It’s not a campground. It’s where people stash their rvs, some of whom seem to live here permanently. Caretaker was rude. Sites were all rocky and many on steep inclines. Complete waste of our time. Plus, the site looks nothing like the pictures they post, which is an area you can’t camp at. Don’t stay here.

  • Paul K.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Croton Point Park

    Not the Best Place to Go in the Northeast By a Longshot

    Croton Point Campground is a modest little campground, located along the Hudson River within Croton Point Park in NY. In addition to camping, the park itself offers many of its own attractions, including swimming, hiking, kayaking, cabin rentals, and a host of other family-oriented activities just along the Hudson. 

    The park, which is honestly probably the largest attraction here, is located just an hour and a half outside of the city. This proximity is both its perk and its downfall, as the park itself, but particularly the campground, has become laden with all sorts of inexplicable and burdensome rules, endless guidelines, and restrictions only a New York State-run bureaucracy could ever make sense of, let alone hope to justify. 

    This includes all manner of restrictions on how you can camp, where you can camp, what equipment can be used, and use in relation to what particular site you may have been lucky enough to reserve. Much of this you can understand while imagining what may have taken place here to bring them to such measures, but it doesn't make it any easier to contend with. 

    In terms of the actual camping conditions Both the tenting section and RV sites are each very clustered together, and quite crowded, with regular patrols🚓(actual patrols) being made day and night, by both the Park Rangers and what appears to be general park staff members, all looking to see if you or your family might be doing something that they might consider outside of the guidelines or not in compliance with the many restrictions. 

    This is not to say you can't possibly have a good time here. It just might mean being a bit more diligent toward reviewing the potential legitimacy of your normal camping routine to ensure it meets with many restrictions and guidelines imposed, while also making yourself comfortable with some fairly regular surveillance during your stay here. These all being things we hoped to get away from while camping ourselves It just turned out to be a bit much for our particular liking.

  • b
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Thunder Swamp Trailhead

    Gravel lot

    It’s a gravel parking lot. Plenty of shade. No one bothered me.

  • Adeline M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Worthington State Forest Campground — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

    Nice campground loud campers

    Great open spot with some shade, depending on when you go we have noticed there tends to be a lot of loud disrespectful people who are there to party not camp. It’s nice to be on the Delaware and not many campgrounds have water access or a boat ramp so that’s a plus. Showers, sinks, and toilets are available.

  • Janine D.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Kittatinny Campground

    Not worth the money or time

    If we could rate this a 0 we would.  We were expecting a weekend of kayaking and relaxation when in fact we got an overcrowded, noisy and dirty weekend that was overpriced.  I will give the river a 10, it was beautiful, welcoming and refreshing in the warm sun.  We arrived at about 8:00 in the evening with several camps blaring different genre of music, not a problem, considering we still like it as loud as possible sometimes, but it didn't end at quiet time, it continue until well over midnight.  The campsites are so close together it was like being packed into a sardine can.  The campsite across the pathway didn't have their dog on a lead and we woke up with a pile of dog excrement next to our trailer, that was a howdy-do morning for ya.  We were super excited to take our kayaks out on the river, paddle up stream and float down with our pup, but we were told that we couldn't launch from this location.  (What kind of crap is that)  This location was a receiving location only and "absolutely no launching" was allowed.  If you are looking for a party spot to come with your friends, this is definitely the place for you!  If your looking for a chill place to camp next to the river where you can tube, kayak and enjoy your peaceful weekend, this is NOT the place.  The amount of money we spent for 2 nights was outrageous for such a sucky weekend, will not be going back!

  • Bob F.
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Moon Valley Campground

    Very unique smaller private campground

    This was a great campsite nestled in the foothills of Northern NJ on the NY border. Small, clean with great views and great location for hiking , cruising etc. Bring your tent or use the existing glamping tents. Headed back for a fall weekend in the "dome" which has incredible views. Try it you won't be sorry.


Guide to Mount Olive

Camping near Mount Olive, New Jersey, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene forest settings to lively campgrounds with plenty of activities, there’s something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the beautiful trails in the area. Campers have enjoyed the well-marked trails at Worthington State Forest Campground, noting, "The trails are nice and well marked."
  • Water Activities: Enjoy tubing or kayaking in the Delaware River. One visitor at Driftstone Campground mentioned, "Tubing, kayaking, playing in the river, pool, park, etc… pick your activity."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife while hiking or relaxing at your campsite. A camper at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation shared, "The sites are spaced well and have a nice bonus of large fire rings set back in the woods a bit from the pad that you park on."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Many campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Stokes State Forest said, "The bathrooms were nice and had flush toilets."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy the roomy sites that provide privacy. One reviewer at Mountainview Campground noted, "Sites are huge and very private. You didn’t even know that there were people around you."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the campground staff. A guest at Camp Taylor Campground remarked, "The family that operates this place are the friendliest and most accommodating hosts I have encountered."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds have strict noise policies. A camper at High Point State Park Campground experienced issues with noise complaints, stating, "We received complaints about the volume of our music and karaoke around 7 pm."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have extensive amenities. A visitor at Round Valley State Park Campground mentioned, "The primitive restrooms aren’t maintained at all but if you’re there more for the 'outdoorsy' experience, not a huge downfall."
  • Access Challenges: Some campgrounds require a bit of a trek to reach your site. A reviewer at Round Valley State Park Campground noted, "The path is not the best, filled with a ton of rocks placed by the lands-men."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and organized activities. A family at Camp Taylor Campground enjoyed the "small arcade and playground."
  • Safety Precautions: Be aware of wildlife and take necessary precautions. A camper at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation mentioned, "There are a lot of bear warnings here so that gave us a bit of pause with our three little boys."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals and snacks. A visitor at Mountain Vista Campground suggested, "The staff took us out to the site with our bundles of firewood and helped us back the camper into the perfect place."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site before booking. A reviewer at Great Divide Campground noted, "The RV sites were all full hookup on our loop."
  • Be Prepared for Hills: Some campgrounds have steep access roads. A visitor at Camp Taylor Campground advised, "Make sure if you’re towing, you have a good tow vehicle because the hills on the way there are epic but also beautiful."
  • Bring Long Cables: Ensure you have long electric and water cables. A camper at Mountainview Campground mentioned, "Electric and water hookups were a little far apart at site 27 so it was good we had long cables/hoses."

Camping near Mount Olive, New Jersey, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation. Whether you're hiking, fishing, or just enjoying the great outdoors, there's plenty to explore!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Mount Olive, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, Mount Olive, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 177 campgrounds and RV parks near Mount Olive, NJ and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Mount Olive, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mount Olive, NJ is Panther Lake Camping Resort with a 3.5-star rating from 17 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mount Olive, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Mount Olive, NJ.

What parks are near Mount Olive, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Mount Olive, NJ that allow camping, notably Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Gateway National Recreation Area.