Several equestrian camping opportunities exist within driving distance of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, though dedicated horse facilities require traveling beyond immediate surroundings. Most state forests in the region sit at elevations between 400-1,200 feet, with camping areas typically situated on level terrain. Winter camping options remain limited with temperatures regularly dropping below freezing December through February, affecting water availability at non-heated facilities.
What to do
Hiking with lake views: At Pickerel Point Campground, trails lead to scenic overlooks. "The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail. The bathrooms were clean with nice hot showers," notes Kelly F., who stayed at site 100 with "amazing views of the water."
Kayaking accessible waters: Spruce Run Recreation Area offers multiple launch points. "You can launch your kayak easily from the shore. The sites are large, many have nice mix of sun and shade," explains Ruette W., who has camped there for over ten years in various setups from tent to RV.
Wildlife observation: The region supports diverse animal populations. At Camp Starry Night, campers report seeing "steer and sheep in the next field" and various wildlife. One visitor described her experience: "The best part of this trip was definitely the views. You look out over the field and see the mountains in the background with the river running between them."
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Ocquittunk in Stokes State Forest features sites with direct lake access. "We stayed at site #T007, it was a short walk from the car to the site, but so worth it for many reasons. The site itself is huge and we were able to position our tent facing the lake," shares Kara L.
Clean facilities: Turkey Swamp Park maintains well-kept shower buildings and restrooms. "The bathrooms and showers are clean and well maintained. There is pretty lake with good fishing and they sell bait at the Ranger office," notes Katheryn N., who appreciated that "sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart."
Winter camping options: Limited facilities remain open year-round. "This was my second visit in the cold months. Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by. Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers," reports Mara S. about Pickerel Point Campground, though she noted "the only negative is that I had almost no cell reception with Verizon."
What you should know
Horse camping limitations: No campgrounds within 30 miles of Mountain Lakes offer dedicated equestrian facilities with corrals or stalls. Those traveling with horses must contact campgrounds individually about temporary containment options and waste management requirements.
Day-use horse trails: While overnight horse camping is limited, day-use trails exist. Riders should check trail conditions before visiting as seasonal closures affect accessibility.
Tick prevalence: Mountainview Campground and similar wooded areas harbor ticks. At Turkey Swamp Park, one camper reported: "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."
Site surfaces vary: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain. At Pickerel Point Campground, one reviewer noted "chunky bluestone gravel on the sites, so bring a sleeping pad!"
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Turkey Swamp Park offers "age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office," making it suitable for children of different ages.
Consider cabins for convenience: Stokes State Forest offers cabin accommodations. "The cabins are reasonably priced and well-appointed, if a bit rustic," reports camper W L., who noted that "the mattresses are vinyl covered, so you can wipe them down with your own sanitizing wipes."
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer programs during peak season. As Paula R. discovered at Pickerel Point: "The museum and crafts were closed due to Covid so that was a bummer but we found other things to do. Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc."
Tips from RVers
Water access planning: At Spruce Run Recreation Area, Frank J. noted: "My campsite was 34W, right next the reservoir. Nice location however the website said it was full shade. The picnic table was in shade. The spot for the RV was full sun."
Hookup availability varies: Not all waterfront sites offer full hookups. "We fill our fresh water tank for and bring drinking water," explains Ruette W. about Spruce Run. "There are some RV sites with water & electric which are not on the water, but in the parking lot. I would consider getting one on the water to enjoy the water and one in the parking lot to hook up the RV."
Dump station locations: While some campgrounds provide dump stations, accessibility may be challenging. At Liberty Harbor RV Park, one camper reported: "There is a dump station, but not the easiest to use."
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