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Dog-Friendly Camping near New Vernon, NJ

3 campgrounds with availability this weekend

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    Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provides spacious, level sites for pet owners with full hookups, making it popular for camping with dogs near New Vernon. Pets are allowed throughout the campground and along its hiking trails. The reservation features both RV and tent sites that accommodate pets, as well as dog-friendly cabin options. The campground is remarkably quiet and peaceful with plenty of space between sites for pet exercise. Each pet-friendly site includes a fire ring and picnic table where pets can remain with their owners. Bathrooms with private showers are available in the RV section, though the tent area uses portable toilets. The campground has maintained its natural wooded setting, creating ample shade for pets during summer months.

    Several miles of dog-friendly hiking trails connect directly to the campground, providing convenient exercise opportunities without needing to drive elsewhere. Leashed pets are welcome on all trails throughout the 3,500-acre county park. The nearby lake offers opportunities for dogs to cool off during warmer months. Sites are paved and mostly level, with water and electric hookups available at most pet-friendly locations. Stephens State Park Campground also permits pets at designated sites and features walking paths along a stocked trout stream where dogs can enjoy water access. Morning and evening walks along these trails provide ideal exercise for pets, though owners should be prepared for occasional wildlife encounters. The bathrooms are clean and well-maintained, important for longer stays with pets. Most campgrounds in the area require pets to be leashed at all times and proper waste disposal is strictly enforced.

    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near New Vernon (96)

      1. Round Valley State Park Campground

      4.5(26)20mi from New VernonTents, Glamping

      "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."

      2. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation

      4.6(19)19mi from New VernonRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      3. Panther Lake Camping Resort

      3.5(17)20mi from New VernonRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      4. Great Divide Campground

      4.7(16)23mi from New VernonRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      5. Cheesequake State Park Campground

      3.6(21)25mi from New VernonRVs, Tents

      "I stayed at Cheesequake at the beginning of August and had a very positive experience."

      "This park is on the list of 50 top NJ Hikes, and it has a few great trails. The trails range from easy to moderate with quite a few lookout locations."

      from $200 / night

      Check Availability

      6. Stephens State Park Campground

      4.0(7)19mi from New VernonRVs, Tents

      "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"

      7. Liberty Harbor RV Park

      3.8(16)24mi from New Vernon1 siteRVs

      "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."

      from $145 - $180 / night

      Check Availability

      8. Jenny Jump State Forest

      4.6(14)25mi from New VernonRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      9. Fla-net Park Campgrounds

      3.0(2)15mi from New VernonRVs, Tents

      "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."

      10. Voorhees State Park Campground

      4.0(4)21mi from New VernonRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "The pit latrines were clean, the water spigots worked fine, and there was plenty of wildlife to see roam through the surrounding areas. It was home away from home."

      "There are many things to do close by too like the observatory, Round Valley beach, Grounds for Art, etc. We all really enjoyed ourselves and plan on returning."

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near New Vernon, NJ

    940 Reviews of 96 New Vernon Campgrounds

    • M
      Oct. 27, 2026

      Turkey Swamp Park

      Water/power at the campsite, and and centrally located dump station. Lots of trees and nice separation of sites

    • Stuart K.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 24, 2026

      Washington 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.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 24, 2026

      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.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 21, 2026

      Round 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!

    • Thomas B.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 18, 2026

      Neversink 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.
      Sep. 17, 2026

      Cheesequake 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.

    • eThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 17, 2026

      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

    • Thomas B.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 17, 2026

      Tohickon Family Campground

      Simple, peaceful FHU

      We stayed just a couple nights here on our way north. The camp host was helpful before our stay and during check-in. Our site was pretty isolated from the others, so it was very quiet (no complaints here). There is a decent mix of sunny sites by the river and shady sites under the trees. The weather was perfect mid September. There wasn't anything spectacular for me, but it was a good experience and it was a nice taste of fall PA scenery. Beware that the roads are tight for a big rig. Side note, it did seem like most campers lived there.

    • K
      Sep. 8, 2026

      Stephens 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 New Vernon

    Round Valley State Park Campground offers a unique backcountry experience just south of New Vernon, New Jersey. The reservoir-adjacent sites require either a 3-6 mile hike or boat access, making this location distinctly different from drive-in campgrounds. Most pet-friendly camping options near New Vernon sit at elevations between 800-1,200 feet, creating moderate temperature variations between day and night even in summer months.

    What to do

    Hiking to Ghost Lake: Jenny Jump State Forest features trails leading to Ghost Lake with scenic overlooks along the way. "Nice big group site and fun walk to Ghost Lake," mentions Doug W., highlighting how the forest combines camping with immediate trail access.

    Trout fishing: Stephens State Park Campground provides exceptional fishing opportunities minutes from campsites. "Great fishing hiking and campsites," notes Scott K., with the park regularly stocking the waters with trout for anglers.

    Water recreation: Round Valley State Park Campground offers water-based activities on its 2,350-acre reservoir. "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," writes James R., describing the pristine reservoir conditions.

    What campers like

    Spacious sites: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provides unusually large campsites compared to other options in the region. "The campsites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large," explains Jeff W., highlighting the ample space between sites.

    Quiet atmosphere: Jenny Jump State Forest offers a peaceful experience despite its accessibility. "I really enjoyed this campground. Primitive, has bathrooms and water spigots. Good hammocking trees and wasn't crowded at all. Plenty of privacy from other sites," writes Lindsay D., emphasizing the sense of seclusion.

    Forest setting: Great Divide Campground maintains natural wooded areas throughout the property. "We were able to get a secluded spot in the woods which was great!" notes Jojo P., describing how the campground preserves natural areas even amid developed facilities.

    What you should know

    Backcountry preparation: Round Valley State Park Campground requires significant planning due to its remote sites. "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," advises Stuart K., providing essential context for first-time visitors.

    Varied terrain: Stephens State Park Campground features uneven ground that can challenge tent setup. "Our site:29 was plenty big enough for a large tent and a hammock. We could have easily fit another large tent. It was set back from the road and shady," Barbara S. explains, noting that site selection matters greatly.

    Wildlife encounters: Pet-friendly camping near New Vernon, New Jersey requires vigilance regarding local fauna. "We had some issues with a skunk that visited our campsite multiple times in one night. Was not afraid of humans," warns Colleen C. from Panther Lake Campground, highlighting why proper food storage matters.

    Tips for camping with families

    Adventure options: Great Divide Campground offers family-oriented activities beyond typical camping. "Great family run campground. Owners are a blast. Most sites are level. Some areas are a little steeper then I would like to set up on, but that's me. Nice small lake with boats to use. Nice small beach. Lots of weekend activities," reports Scott N.

    Accessible facilities: Cheesequake State Park Campground provides comfortable amenities for family campers. "This is a great site for those who are not avid campers. It's close to town if you forget something and it has all the facilities you may need, bathroom, shower, etc. The best part is all the trails," writes Maggie A., highlighting why it works well for families.

    Platform tents: Several sites at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation feature wooden platforms for easier tent setup with children. "They have these 12x12 platforms to put your tent on. This was pretty cool especially since some of the sites are all gravel with surrounding dirt," Christina L. notes, adding a practical feature for family campers.

    Tips from RVers

    Hookup details: Panther Lake Camping Resort offers full-service RV sites but with some limitations. "Majority of sites are season all campers with LOTS of cottages. Went early in the season so many had not been maintained in months. Only a handful of full hook up sites surrounded by seasonal cottages," warns April L., providing important context for visiting RVers.

    Site leveling: Great Divide Campground features varied terrain requiring preparation. "Big and Spread Out... The campgrounds were very big and spread out and the campsites have their own space so you can enjoy quiet at night. Each site had a water spout and electric plug in," explains Ethan K., noting the electrical amenities available.

    Hose access: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation addresses water hookup challenges with practical solutions. "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 reviewer antruze, detailing how the park accommodates varying RV configurations.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near New Vernon, NJ?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near New Vernon, NJ is Round Valley State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 26 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near New Vernon, NJ?

    TheDyrt.com has all 96 dog-friendly camping locations near New Vernon, NJ, with real photos and reviews from campers.