M
Michael M.
Scout
ScoutTurkey Swamp Park
Water/power at the campsite, and and centrally located dump station. Lots of trees and nice separation of sites
Dog-Friendly Camping near Mountain Lakes, NJ
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Mahlon Dickerson Reservation in Jefferson Township provides campsites with ample space for pet owners and their dogs. The campground features water and electric hookups at RV sites, plus dedicated tent platforms with fire rings for those camping with dogs. Pets must be leashed at all times while on the reservation property, including on the network of hiking trails that connect directly to the camping areas. Nearby Panther Lake Camping Resort and Great Divide Campground also welcome pets with designated dog-friendly areas and waste disposal stations. The reservation's spacious wooded sites give pets room to settle in comfortably while remaining on leash. Both tent campers and RV owners report that the campground's layout offers good separation between sites, allowing for privacy even when dogs are present. Sites are paved and mostly level with large fire rings set back in the woods.
The extensive trail system throughout Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provides numerous opportunities for exercising dogs on leash. Multiple hiking routes connect directly from the campground, including paths leading to Headley Overlook with views suitable for dog walks. Bears are known to frequent the area, requiring pet owners to maintain control of their animals and properly store food. The campground's heated bathhouse with private showers is maintained in excellent condition, convenient for campers returning from trail excursions with dogs. Sites 7 and 15 are particularly well-suited for tent camping with pets, offering good placement and privacy. Water spigots are shared between sites, but hose caddies are provided to reach most RV hookups. For longer stays, a dump station is available on-site for RV campers with pets.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Mountain Lakes (94)
1. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
"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."
"Police patrolled, and dog friendly."
2. Panther Lake Camping Resort
"Very kid and pet friendly, lake to fish and kayak on, lots of activities, great pool and awesome hot tub."
"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."
3. Great Divide Campground
"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."
"This is a beautiful campground with much to do around the grounds themselves. They had live music which was actually really good!!! A reggae band. We found plenty of trails to hike with our two dogs."
4. Stokes State Forest
"It was a solid choice: private but close to the toilet and water. Some sites located around the opposite side of the ring back up to a babbling brook. The rushing water will soothe you to sleep."
"* Water and dumpsters are within walking distance, or if you are not up to walking you can just take a short drive to fill up and dispose of your trash
- There are outhouses scattered around, or if"
Check Availabilityfrom $7 - $55 / night
5. Swartswood State Park Campground
"We booked a campsite at the far end of the loop by the lake, which looked to be the right spot for some privacy, but a longer walk to the bathroom and water spigot."
"That said, it’s great for large groups that book a few sites next to each other. There were 3 groups during our stay. Which got pretty loud if you were in sites in the 30s."
6. Round Valley State Park Campground
"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."
7. Liberty Harbor RV Park
"This is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC. It's basically a parking lot with a dump station. Not much else. Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room."
"Basicly a parking lot, but the location can't be beat. 2 ferries that run to Manhattan. Path train is a 12 minute walk away that will take you yyo manhatten."
Check Availabilityfrom $145 - $180 / night
8. Stephens State Park Campground
"We drove through here thinking we’d stay a night, but saw the “no pets” in the list of rules and didn’t stay."
"Just 1.5 hours outside of NYC, site was a bit close to the neighbors (fire pit was very far back and basically in the neighbors’ campsite, but we put up a “privacy clothesline” and hung a tarp over it"
9. Jenny Jump State Forest
"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."
"Hikes close by. Other campers friendly. Dog friendly on a leash."
10. Fla-net Park Campgrounds
"We had our 3 Labs with us and they had plenty of walking space. We were within walking distance of Chili's. Close to shopping if you needed something. Reasonably quiet."
Drive Time
- 36 min from New York, NY
- 36 min from Kiryas Joel, NY
- 1 hr 7 min from Trenton, NJ
- 1 hr 10 min from Allentown, PA
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Mountain Lakes, NJ
66 Photos of 94 Mountain Lakes Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
Panther Lake Camping ResortJ
Great Divide CampgroundJ
Swartswood State Park Campground
Pleasant Acres Farm RV ResortJ
Stokes State Forest
Round Valley State Park Campground
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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Mountain Lakes, NJ
925 Reviews of 94 Mountain Lakes Campgrounds
Stuart K.
LegendWashington Crossing State Park - TEMP CLOSED FOR 2024
Revolutionary History near Delaware River
Nestled along the picturesque Delaware River in beautiful Bucks County, Washington Crossing Historic Park is one of those destinations where American history practically jumps out from behind every tree. This sprawling, beautifully preserved historic park commemorates George Washington's daring Christmas night crossing of the Delaware in 1776, with charming colonial buildings, expansive green spaces, shaded walking paths and lovely riverfront scenery. Divided into Upper and Lower sections, the park offers plenty to explore, from historic homesteads and interpretive exhibits to scenic picnic areas and the impressive Bowman's Hill Tower. Unfortunately, while the park delivers a wonderful outdoor experience, traditional overnight camping isn't part of the equation unless your a Boy Scout or accompanying one of their troops.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spectacular Revolutionary War history at the very site of Washington's legendary Delaware River crossing; (2) Beautifully maintained grounds featuring mature trees, open lawns and scenic riverfront views; (3) Fascinating colonial-era buildings, historic demonstrations and educational exhibits that bring America's founding history to life; (4) Wonderful recreational opportunities, including walking, cycling, fishing, kayaking and picnicking; and (5) Convenient proximity to charming New Hope, the Delaware Canal towpath and Bowman's Hill Tower, offering plenty of opportunities to extend your adventure.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) No conventional public tent or RV camping, with overnight group camping restricted to organized Scout groups by prior arrangement; (2) No dedicated RV campsites, electrical hookups, water connections or dump station; (3) Park grounds generally close at sunset, limiting opportunities to linger into the evening; (4) Some historic buildings and attractions require admission fees or operate on limited schedules; and (5) Periodic restoration projects and special events can restrict access to certain areas, while the historic Washington Crossing Bridge's three-ton weight limit makes it unsuitable for larger RVs.
Happy Camping!
- Stuart K.Legend
Lowe's - W Windsor
Upscale Parking Paradise at This Home Fixer-Upper
Located just off US Route 1 in the upscale Princeton area, this spacious Lowe's serves up a surprisingly pleasant patch of pavement for weary road warriors looking to catch some shut-eye. Set back roughly 80 yards from the highway, this big blue home improvement retailer offers a generously sized parking lot with relatively manageable traffic, good maneuverability and a quieter atmosphere than you might expect from such a busy suburban retail corridor. The western and southern edges of the lot are particularly appealing for an overnight stay, and with Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several other retailers nearby, convenience certainly isn't in short supply. Better yet, the store management was friendly and accommodating when we called ahead to arrange our overnight visit.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spacious, paved parking lot with plenty of room to maneuver larger rigs; (2) Convenient access to US Route 1 and nearby I-95; (3) Western and southern parking areas offer quieter spots away from the busiest customer traffic; (4) Excellent nearby conveniences, including Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several dining options; and (5) Friendly store management that welcomed our overnight stay, plus surprisingly good opportunities for outdoor recreation nearby.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) Some daytime retail traffic and occasional road noise, although nothing terribly disruptive; (2) No RV hookups, dump station or dedicated overnight camping facilities; (3) Parking areas closest to the store can become crowded during business hours; (4) Limited greenery and little of the scenery you'd expect from a traditional campground; and (5) While the overnight experience was excellent, this is still a commercial parking lot rather than a destination for an extended stay.
Happy Overnighting!
Maria Mercedes M.LegendRound Valley State Park Campground
Peaceful Wilderness Escape for Adventurous Families
There's something wonderfully special about escaping into nature where the only sounds are rustling leaves, birds singing and the gentle movement of water along the shoreline. Nestled among the wooded hills surrounding the beautiful Round Valley Reservoir, this rustic SP campground offers families a chance to disconnect from everyday distractions and enjoy a little wilderness adventure together. Unlike traditional campgrounds, the campsites are accessible only by hiking or boating, so getting anywhere here requires some planning and a willingness to travel light. Once you've arrived, you'll find secluded, wooded campsites with picnic tables, fire rings and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Amenities are basic, with pit toilets and no showers, but the beautiful reservoir, scenic hiking trails, fishing and kayaking opportunities more than make up for the lack of modern conveniences. Our kids loved exploring the woods, spotting wildlife and gathering around a crackling campfire at night to share stories beneath the stars. For families comfortable with the hike, I'd recommend choosing one of the campsites along the reservoir shoreline for the lovely water views and peaceful surroundings. Just remember that swimming is limited to the park's designated beach area. Round Valley isn't your typical family campground, but for adventurous families who enjoy hiking, camping under the stars and making wonderful memories together, it's a beautiful place to experience nature at its finest!
Leo C.ScoutWinding Hills Park
Nice but dated
Nice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
Thomas B.
RangerNeversink River Resort
Cool Riverside Campground
I'll start by saying this is a site-specific review (C20). I booked using Campspot and didn't select my own site but put in the criteria for my rig (30ft TT plus truck) and got a 50A back-in spot. The site was big but abnormal. Between the picnic table placement and the trees, I ended up right around 50ft from the electric and water, and the water spigot was so low I could barely put on my camco filter. With the uneven dirt roads, I had to unhitch with my truck in a gigantic puddle (lol). The site was otherwise fine aside from my gate code not working on Day 2. As for the campground as a whole, I thought it was pretty unique place by the river that offered several good amenities and activities, like downstream river tubing, an arcade, bathroom/shower facilities, a small store, little trails, and more. I would say this place borders the more primitive side.
Edwin R.ScoutCheesequake State Park Campground
Park uses county cops to shut down park by 9pm.
On Friday, September 4, 2026, I rented a trailer and brought my family to Cheesequake State Park to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary over the extended Labor Day weekend. Around 9:20 PM—well before the park's designated 10:00 PM quiet hours—we were sitting inside our canopy, playing Jenga, and listening to low background music. Two officers from the Matawan Police Department approached our campsite. They were polite and courteous, simply offering a standard reminder to wrap things up by 10:00 PM. Before they could leave, however, a third, senior officer intervened. Wanting to"show them how it's done," he made the two polite officers return and stand by to watch as he demonstrated how to aggressively harass campers. Flashlight in hand, the senior officer approached with an immediate hostile attitude, treating us like criminals as he demanded to know who rented the site. He began reiterating rules and claimed we had too many vehicles. We had three cars, one belonging to my brother-in-law's girlfriend, who was visiting with her daughter. She had paid the$10 visitor fee at the main office and was instructed by staff to obtain the gate access code from us, the primary renters, if she got locked in. No staff member ever informed her of an 8:00 PM visitor departure deadline, leading us to reasonably assume visitors were permitted until quiet hours began at 10:00 PM. The officer rudely snapped that she had been given wrong information. The senior officer then used profanity in front of three small children, aggressively telling her to ("get her shit and get the fuck out!") in that manner or use profanity, the officer went from hostile to furious. He angrily declared that these were official violations and threatened that he could be issuing us tickets instead. Desperately searching for anything and everything to throw at us, he demanded that we turn off our idling car—which was supplying power to our campsite—and instructed us to make sure the campfire was doused before shutting down for the night. He then proceeded to shine his flashlight into our private setup—including our canopy, tents, and the inside of our trailer—searching for any other possible violation while the two polite officers were forced to watch. What was supposed to be a special 10th wedding anniversary celebration with my family was completely ruined by a senior officer misusing his authority to put on an unnecessary display of intimidation. Worse than just ruining our night, he spent that evening teaching those two police officers how to be bad cops. He corrupted two officers in real time, demonstrating firsthand exactly why most people have lost faith in the police force. The next day we was ready for them. We turned off our lights and quietly by the fire while they went next door to harass an asian family that had just set up camp and had their leds lights on.
- eedgar V.Scout
Black Bear RV Park
Super clean and quiet
Past reviews has mentioned that the office seems to be closed often, while I found that to be true I had no reason to contact anyone. This is definitely one of the cleanest quiets site I’ve ever visited
- KKelly B.
GuideStephens State Park Campground
Great last min getaway
Booked the day before—even on the holiday weekend! Just 1.5 hours outside of NYC, site was a bit close to the neighbors (fire pit was very far back and basically in the neighbors’ campsite, but we put up a “privacy clothesline” and hung a tarp over it for a bit of extra coverage.
The staff was friendly and helpful, they said it was the busiest they’ve seen the campground all year (there were lots of large groups but everyone seemed to settle down by 9:30pm
Poison ivy was EVERYWHERE at our site so make sure to stick to the open areas and the paths. Lots of families around, we felt very safe Bathrooms were fine—it was my impression they’re usually cleaner but the high traffic of the weekend left a bit to be desired, (lots of families around=dirty diapers in the bathroom trash bin) but it’s camping! I’m not gonna argue w a flushing toilet!
Guide to Mountain Lakes
Mahlon Dickerson Reservation in Jefferson Township sits at 1,200 feet elevation in the highlands of New Jersey, making it one of the higher elevation camping areas within an hour of New York City. The reservation spans 3,500 acres with campsites nestled among hardwood forests that display vibrant fall colors from late September through October. Winter camping is available at select sites when temperatures can drop below freezing.
What to do
Hiking at Harriman State Park: Located 40 minutes from Mountain Lakes, Beaver Pond Campground offers direct access to the Appalachian Trail. "A quick 40 minutes north of NYC, Harriman State Park has an eclectic little campground called Beaver Pond. The grounds are just steps away from Welch Lake, offering a lifeguard monitored sandy beach which is open during the summer season for swimming, fishing, and small boat craft further out," notes camper Steve W.
Kayaking at Round Valley: The 2,350-acre reservoir at Round Valley State Park Campground provides crystal-clear water for paddling. "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," explains James R. The park requires either a 3-6 mile hike or boat access to reach campsites.
Fishing at multiple sites: Dog friendly campgrounds near Mountain Lakes offer various fishing opportunities. "We stayed at site 11 on Lake Ocquittunk. Site was located on a small hill next to the lake with the road directly in front and water about 50 yards away," shares Josh S. about his experience at Stokes State Forest, where trout fishing is available spring through fall.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Great Divide Campground near Newton features spacious campsites with natural separation. "Sites had room to move and it was quiet and peaceful. Kids had lots of fun on the free kayaks and pool. Staff was friendly and helpful. Campgrounds have lots of hills so be prepared to hike up and down," explains Jojo P.
Accessibility to NYC: For campers wanting to combine outdoor experiences with city visits, certain campgrounds offer strategic locations. "About 30 minutes from sleepy hollow and tarrytown NY and only an hour to central park!! Deer running everywhere and surprisingly beautiful and quaint. Free Hot showers in the bathrooms, with plenty of room to change," describes Megan B. about her stay at Beaver Pond.
Tent platforms: Several pet-friendly camping options near Mountain Lakes feature raised platforms for tents. "The biggest positive about Beaver Pond is how spread out it was. You definitely feel like you have your own space and are not camping on top of your neighbor. Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained or if you are expecting rain during your stay," notes Ethan K.
What you should know
Bear awareness: Most forested campgrounds in the region have black bear populations. "We didn't visit Welch Lake beach but for a quick walk to the area for a few pictures; it's past season at this point, and I still have to do some fishing pole shopping. 'Welcome to Bear Mountain' grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness!" reports Steve W. about his Beaver Pond experience.
Reservation timing: Peak summer weekends fill quickly at dog-accommodating campgrounds around Mountain Lakes. "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!" shares Jojo P. about Panther Lake Camping Resort.
Campsite selection considerations: Privacy levels vary significantly between sites. "The campground is small but also secluded. We always hike to the lake here, it's a very easy hike and also very peaceful. Definitely come here when you get a chance," advises Paulene-Amanda M. about her experience with dogs at a local reservation.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Swartswood State Park Campground offers family-friendly water options. "A bit of a 'low frills' campground, but with lots of good hiking trails, fishing spots, and a great beach area for swimming with the kids," notes Dan B. The park maintains a designated swimming beach with lifeguards during summer months.
Pet-specific sites: When camping with dogs, choose designated pet-friendly sites. "There are only 4 dog friendly sites, which we need. They are 42-45. Be careful with site 44, no good place for a tent. The other are nice," advises Rob M. about Swartswood State Park, highlighting the importance of researching pet policies.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play equipment for children. "Short distance from the NYC, very organized, clean pond, has a playground, showers, bathroom. Your phone will have signal," explains Zorina N. about Beaver Pond, making it suitable for families wanting to stay connected.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Jenny Jump State Forest offers limited electrical hookups for RVs in a wooded setting. "This campground is a nice little hideaway not too far from the beaten path. You can hear some of the highway sounds from the campsites (especially the jake brake). The sites are hit or miss in terms of comfort," explains Seth K. about this dog-friendly option.
Water connection logistics: Some campgrounds require extra equipment for water connections. "Very clean and quiet. 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," explains a camper about their experience at a local reservation.
Dump station details: Most dog-welcoming campgrounds with RV sites provide dump facilities, though setup varies. "Trash dumpster is an easy walk and the dump station has a flush hose point. Nice and easy little campground," notes an RVer about their stay at a reservation near Mountain Lakes, emphasizing the practical amenities available.
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Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Mountain Lakes, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Mountain Lakes, NJ is Mahlon Dickerson Reservation with a 4.6-star rating from 19 reviews.
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