Round Valley State Park Campground wilderness sites provide two primary access options—hiking or boating—with significant differences in difficulty. The area sits at approximately 400 feet elevation with surrounding hills reaching over 600 feet, creating challenging terrain for hikers. Water temperatures in the reservoir remain cold throughout the camping season due to its depth, which approaches 180 feet in the center, making it the second-deepest body of water in New Jersey.
What to do
Hike to Cushetunk Mountain: At Round Valley Recreation Area, the hiking trails offer moderate to challenging terrain. "The hike up in the cushetunk mountain is really nice as well. If you're looking for a getaway without doing backcountry planning this is the place," notes James R. from Round Valley.
Explore historic sites: Washington Crossing State Park connects visitors with Revolutionary War history while offering group camping. "Visit the park's historic reenactments, especially the Christmas Day Crossing event as it's easily the most memorable history lesson you'll ever get outdoors," suggests Stuart K., who found the experience educational.
Paddle the local waterways: The South Branch of the Raritan River offers excellent kayaking opportunities. At Camp Carr Campground, Jim B. enjoyed "Excellent view of the South Branch and extremely relaxing." Many campers paddle directly from their riverside sites.
What campers like
Secluded, quiet atmosphere: Many campers specifically seek the isolation that wilderness camping provides. Ryan M. appreciated Round Valley's atmosphere, noting it's "Beautiful and quaint..a nice place to get away and enjoy some nature."
Wildlife encounters: Mountainview Campground offers frequent wildlife sightings. "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!" reported Christina H.
Star gazing opportunities: The more remote sites provide excellent night sky viewing. "Very clean and quite. Great spot for stargazing," mentions Scott A. about his primitive site at Mountainview Campground, highlighting the advantage of less light pollution.
What you should know
Weather changes rapidly: Wind conditions on Round Valley Reservoir can become dangerous quickly. Janine W. warns, "The reservoir can turn into the Bermuda Triangle at any moment-- be careful," highlighting the need for weather awareness when boating to campsites.
Campground regulations vary significantly: At Washington Crossing State Park, camping is limited to organized groups. One camper notes the park offers "structured, group-style camping steeped in Revolutionary War atmosphere," making it unsuitable for individual campers seeking casual overnight stays.
Site availability and reservations: Most campgrounds in the region fill quickly during summer weekends. "We have tent camped here three or four times. It's a quiet wooded campground (not all spots, but most). Easy to get to, and friendly family ownership," explains Robert J. about Mountainview Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Consider accessibility needs: Turkey Swamp Park offers family-friendly amenities. "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest. There are tent and RV sites and you are allowed to have a tent on the site with an RV at no extra charge," reports Katheryn N.
Choose campgrounds with activities: Look for options with multiple recreation opportunities. "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," explains Dan W. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Check site spacing for privacy: Some campgrounds offer more separation between sites than others. At Ringing Rocks Family Campground, Emily T. notes, "the tent sites are very close together," which may be challenging for families with young children who need more space.
Tips from RVers
Water and electrical hookups: At Jugtown Mountain Campsites, RVers should be prepared for potential utility issues. One camper reported, "there was some issue with the water pressure during the daytime. Only had 1psi of water pressure. Couldn't take a shower or wash dishes," suggesting filling your freshwater tank as a backup.
Site dimensions and accessibility: Many campgrounds in the region have tight sites for larger rigs. At Jugtown Mountain, Jessica A. shared, "We drive a class A, our site was snug but easy enough to get in and out of (we were lucky enough to be able to pull through from the adjoining site)."
Pet friendly camping options: Most campgrounds near Neshanic Station, New Jersey welcome pets with proper leashing. Mountainview Campground offers pet friendly camping with wooded sites. "The site was spacious and comfortable," reports Jami, who enjoyed bringing her pets along.
