165 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Skylands region surrounding Newfoundland, New Jersey features diverse camping options within an hour's drive, from developed county parks to remote wilderness areas. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers wooded, level sites with water and electric hookups, while High Point State Park provides lakeside camping near the state's highest elevation point. State forests like Stokes and Wawayanda maintain more primitive camping experiences with varying levels of amenities. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, approximately 20 miles west, includes boat-in primitive sites along the river. Private campgrounds such as Great Divide and Panther Lake complement public options with more extensive facilities including swimming pools, organized activities, and full hookup RV sites.
Camping regulations vary significantly between properties, with most state parks operating seasonally from April through October. As one camper noted, "Stokes is nestled in a beautiful part of New Jersey and it's just remote enough that you can get away from the crowds while still being in short driving distance of restaurants and grocery stores." Bear activity requires proper food storage throughout the region, particularly in state forests and near the Delaware River. Cell service can be spotty in valley areas, though major campgrounds maintain reliable coverage. Weekend reservations are essential during summer months, especially for lakefront sites. Many campgrounds prohibit alcohol, with state parks strictly enforcing quiet hours and camping regulations.
Visitors consistently praise the region's natural features and recreational opportunities. Hiking trails are abundant, with the Appalachian Trail crossing through the area and numerous waterfall hikes within short drives. According to one reviewer at High Point State Park, "Great campsites on a lake, with lots of hiking and biking trails right from your site. Hike to the monument at the highest point in the state, or maybe along the Appalachian trail, or maybe just a swim in the lake." Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, various birds, and occasionally black bears. Site sizes vary considerably, with county parks typically offering more spacious sites than state facilities. Weekday camping provides a quieter experience, as weekend crowds from New York and New Jersey metropolitan areas can create busier conditions at popular destinations.
"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."
"It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities."
"Drive-in tent campgrounds. Adequate restroom facilities sprinkled amongst tent sites. Some campsites have raised platforms. All sites have picnic tables and fire ring with flip-top grill."
"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."
from $17 - $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
"We stayed at the campsite at Lake Ocquittunk Area. Campsite was very spacious and had a platform where we were able to fit two tents. There was plenty of space on the site for more tents."
from $7 - $55 / night
Check Availability"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."
"The Lake is the gem of the campground with a really nice beach, good for fishing and kayaking. The negatives were the bathrooms. They are very primitive and quite dirty."
"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."
"All the positive reviews about this place are accurate! Beautiful, clean, well maintained, lots to do, great value for your $$"
"Beautiful park with in the skylands region of New Jersey. Great campsites on a lake, with lots of hiking and biking trails right from your site."
"There are about 40 to 50 sites around Sawmill Lake. Many of these sites , like ours, are walk in sites (about a 50 yard walk) that sit lakeside."
from $5 - $20 / night
Check Availability"It is off the beaten path without any running water or showers within walking distance."
"Fantastic loop hike near some amazing hidden lakes. One downside is there were obviously people who had visited and didn't understand what LEAVE NO TRACE means. We'll bring a trashbag next time."
"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."
"The campsites are slightly separated from the lake (maybe 8 min walk to lake) but that also means you aren’t bothered by day guests. The lake is beautiful! Great for swimming and fishing."
"One rustic place with many hiking trails to choose from. Camp also provides trucking of gear weather permitting. No vehicles allowed to drive through camp. Trading Post for treats and other items."
"Lots of hiking trails. Trading post is well stocked and volunteers are always friendly and able to answer any questions"
from $5 - $200 / night
Check Availability"This was a great campsite nestled in the foothills of Northern NJ on the NY border. Small, clean with great views and great location for hiking , cruising etc."
"The campground is also near the Appalachian trail while still only about an hour from Manhattan! Check them out and leave a review with your adventures during your stay!"
from $50 - $275 / night
Check Availability
ScoutThis area seems to be devoid of campgrounds except for this one. It’s basically just a large parking lot with hook ups. Completely open, which is great for Starlink. Bathrooms were slightly above average; fairly clean and places to hang clothes for your shower. Has a laundry but be sure to bring quarters. It is about 100 yards from the interstate so you’ll get a lot of noise and diesel exhaust fumes.
RangerWe camped here in our pop up for our Anniversary in November. We were impressed with the cleanliness and available amenities for the time of year we were camping in! Close proximity to DWG and PA AND NJ attractions.
RangerWe booked a cabin at the last minute and were pleasantly surprised that the cabin had heat and electricity! It was very close to the awesome heated bathroom also! We were also able to catch a beautiful sunset! Great camp all around!
TravelerAnother great experience. Sites were large. Staff was friendly with many different things for kids to do. Great base camp for local hikes.
RangerWe came here 4th of July weekend, and this is one of the things I love about these sites...they had availability! Our site was very big, and was perfect with sone shade and also lots of sun!
RangerOur travel trailer and our friends' pop up both fit on this site with no problem. The only issue we had is that there is a bit of a ditch that turns to mud after a rain. We were off the beaten path so very little traffic. There was a bathroom with pit toilets down the street. Plenty of places to hike and fish also. We loved it here!
RangerWe came here to ride our ATV's...since it is more than 3 hours from home, we decided to book this spot for the night. We have stayed in a bunch of the DWSF sites. This one was kinda meh. Nearer to the road so traffic at all hours. Picnic table and fire ring, and as always, evidence of people chopping down live trees for firewood. Ugh! We set up our tent and had a nice fire, albeit there was broken glass on the ground. Biting flies worked overtime on us. Not a terrible stay, but we prolly won't book this one again. And these sites are no longer free. As out of state-rs, we paid $21 for one night. Still a good deal.
GuideTwo night stay, large loud parties make it hard to enjoy but once most of them left it was nice to walk down to the river. Bath house with toilets and showers, not all lights working. No swimming access but boat access and trails for hiking.
ScoutNo hookups. It was wooded, quiet and dark at night. I used the dump station on my way out. The first time I ever saw a poop fountain. The sewer opening sticks up above ground level. The cover swivels away, so I couldn't put it on top of my hose. And then, when I tried to rinse it, there was nowhere for it to go, because the inlet is elevated.
The northern New Jersey wilderness offers varied camping sites near Newfoundland, New Jersey, particularly in Sussex County where elevations reach over 1,800 feet at High Point. The region features a mix of deciduous forest and small lakes with camping seasons typically running April through October, though some facilities remain open year-round. Winter camping options exist but require additional preparation for temperatures that can drop below freezing at higher elevations.
Kayaking on local lakes: Swartswood State Park provides excellent paddling opportunities with boat rentals available. "We took one afternoon to visit the High Point Monument, which was lovely. No room for yard games, but we spent the time relaxing and burning stuff. The site was very secluded," notes one camper at High Point State Park Campground.
Fishing accessible spots: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing access with varying regulations. "The lake is beautiful! Great for swimming and fishing. There are several trail hikes that you can do from the campsite. The longest is 3 miles but you can connect between each trail to make a longer hike," reports a visitor to Swartswood State Park Campground.
Hiking varied terrain: Trails range from flat lakeside paths to challenging mountain climbs. At Stokes State Forest, one camper explains, "This visit we hiked the Tillman Ravine trail (tip: make the trail a loop and visit both the ravine and the nearby old cemetery)."
Platform camping options: Many sites feature wooden platforms that keep tents dry during wet weather. "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. I also particularly enjoyed the communal sink which made it very convenient and easy to wash dishes and fill up water," notes a visitor to Beaver Pond Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse wildlife including black bears, which require proper food storage. A camper at Swartswood mentions, "Three black bears strolled by the campsite next to ours in the early morning — gave us more of an energy boost after a sleepless night than our coffee!"
Secluded sites: Many campgrounds offer more private spots away from crowds. "We stayed at site 11 on Lake Ocquittunk. While making reservations it said almost all sites were full but upon arrival the vast majority of sites were empty which made for a quiet/relaxing night," reports a Stokes State Forest visitor.
Bear safety precautions: Black bears are common throughout the region. "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes," warns a reviewer at Stokes State Forest.
Varying privacy levels: Site layouts differ significantly between campgrounds and even within the same facility. "There are about 50 camp sites but many of them, from 1 to 30ish are wide open with ZERO privacy. That said, it's great for large groups that book a few sites next to each other," explains a camper at Swartswood.
Water access considerations: Not all campsites have close bathroom or water facilities. At Panther Lake Camping Resort, "Probably the worst shower ever. The lights are timed. The water is a button. The space is small as hell."
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer child-friendly amenities. "Short distance from NYC, very organized, clean pond, has a playground, showers, bathroom. Your phone will have signal," notes a Beaver Pond camper.
Camp activities: Many locations provide organized events. "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! 2 teenage girls had a blast in the lake and riding their bikes around. Pool was packed so didn't spend time there but the ceramic class was fun for the girls," shares a visitor to Panther Lake.
Cabin options: For families new to camping, cabins provide a comfortable alternative. At Camp Glen Gray, "Cabins are always clean and stocked with firewood. Lots of hiking trails. Trading post is well stocked and volunteers are always friendly and able to answer any questions."
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring blocks or levelers. "Not a fan of the platform for the tent. Nice hikes. The view from the lighthouse is worth it," mentions a High Point State Park visitor.
Hookup limitations: Services vary widely across facilities. "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," reports a camper at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds with RV sites have on-site dump facilities. "So, we got in with no reservation, which was great. It's in the same park as the high point, also great. The sites are varied, some have tent platforms, it's just off the AT, but we have a trailer and the 'trailer' sites aren't level. Showers are at the day use area, from 10-5:30, no trailer dump," reports an RVer at High Point State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Newfoundland, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Newfoundland, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 165 campgrounds and RV parks near Newfoundland, NJ and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Newfoundland, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Newfoundland, NJ is Mahlon Dickerson Reservation with a 4.6-star rating from 19 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Newfoundland, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Newfoundland, NJ.
What parks are near Newfoundland, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Newfoundland, NJ that allow camping, notably Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Gateway National Recreation Area.
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