Glamping accommodations near Newark, New Jersey cater to comfort-focused campers with various preferences. Northern New Jersey's elevation ranges from 250 to 1,800 feet, creating diverse microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the year. The region's campgrounds typically operate April through October, with weekend reservations filling up 2-3 months in advance during peak summer months.
What to do
Lakeside activities: Turkey Swamp Park offers multiple boating options with reasonable rental rates. "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," notes a camper at Turkey Swamp Park.
Hiking trails: Stokes State Forest features an extensive trail network for all skill levels. "There are 21 marked trails that cover over 63 miles within the boundaries of Stokes State Forest. Twelve miles are part of the Appalachian Trail," according to one visitor at Stokes State Forest.
Winter recreation: Several parks maintain year-round operations for cold-weather glamping opportunities. "Mahlon Dickerson Campground is a perfect place to spend a few nights or a couple of weeks... It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities," reports a visitor at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
What campers like
Secluded settings: Round Valley State Park offers wilderness camping accessible only by hiking or boating. "This is a great campground that is super private and quiet - great for getting out to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. It's a pretty strenuous hike, but you'll be rewarded for the effort!" shares a camper at Round Valley State Park.
Family amenities: Great Divide Campground offers kid-friendly facilities beyond standard glamping options. "Nice family run campground. Owners are a blast. Most sites are level... Nice small lake with boats to use. Nice small beach. Lots of weekend activities," notes a visitor.
Camping variety: Camp Glen Gray provides multiple accommodation types with varying amenities. "Many camp sites open to rent. Cabins - Leanto - Tent Sites. Check web site for pricing," mentions a reviewer at Camp Glen Gray.
What you should know
Accessibility challenges: Some sites require significant physical effort to reach. At Round Valley, "Located just south of I78 and near the small hamlets of Clinton and Lebanon... 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."
Wildlife considerations: Bears and ticks are common in northern New Jersey glamping areas. At Spruce Run, "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."
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between campgrounds. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, "This review would be 5 stars if only they would knock the present facilities down and rebuild really nice ones, that were kept clean. Also if all the sites had Water & electric hook ups."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Turkey Swamp Park features age-appropriate play areas within safe distances of camping sites. "Centralized playground for the kids with bathrooms and showers next door. Staff was awesome! Attentive and outgoing."
Educational opportunities: Several glamping sites near Newark offer structured learning activities. "We found this campground one night when we were in NJ. It ended up snowing that night. the bathrooms were clean and warm. There is a lot to do in the area."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience significant noise pollution. At Spruce Run, "It was very loud and rowdy into the late night. There were campers making lots of noise, arming/disarming their car alarms, slamming doors, cars driving in/out, bright lights flashing, etc. all PASSED 2am!!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Check for specific amenities and access constraints at each glamping location. At Great Divide Campground, "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."
Hookup locations: Water and electric connections may require extra equipment. "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."
Seasonal considerations: RV glamping options have different peak periods than tent camping. "Very nice forest! The campground is clean, paved nicely and well run. Our site is easily the nicest- all the way in the back with only one neighbor. It is so quiet here."
