Northern New Jersey offers luxury camping sites within 15-35 miles of Nutley, with elevations ranging from 100 to 1,800 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F, making May through October the prime camping months. Glamping near Nutley provides access to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and several state forests within a 45-minute drive.
What to do
Kayaking and boating: Round Valley State Park Campground offers water recreation on its 2,350-acre reservoir. "Beautiful and quaint..a nice place to get away and enjoy some nature," writes Ryan M. The reservoir is known for its crystal-clear water, though swimming is restricted in certain areas.
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park features an archery range for visitors who bring their equipment. "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 Dan W.
Challenging hiking: Access the Appalachian Trail from several campgrounds in the region. "We took one afternoon to visit the High Point Monument, which was lovely," shares Dwight D. about staying at High Point State Park. The monument stands at 1,803 feet above sea level, offering panoramic views of three states.
What campers like
Natural water features: Many campers appreciate the lakes and streams that run through campgrounds. At Stokes State Forest, "Some sites located around the opposite side of the ring back up to a babbling brook. The rushing water will soothe you to sleep," according to Trip Over Life.
Private, wooded sites: "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest," writes Katheryn N. about Turkey Swamp Park. This privacy factor ranks highly among reviewers, especially for luxury camping experiences near Nutley.
Winter options: Unlike many seasonal campgrounds, some locations offer year-round glamping. "Sussex county is beautiful. Stokes is such a peaceful campground! We stay in the cabins. It's great to have the small kitchen when camping with the family," shares Amy B., noting the benefits of cabin facilities during colder months.
What you should know
Bear safety precautions: The northern New Jersey region is bear country, requiring proper food storage. "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided," notes one camper about Stokes State Forest. Some campgrounds provide bear-proof containers, while others expect visitors to secure food in vehicles.
Varied toilet facilities: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers modern facilities. "Very clean and quiet. Website lists water hook ups at long distances but they have hose reels to help with that," according to one reviewer. However, other parks like High Point State Park may only have vault toilets at campsites.
Site accessibility: Some campgrounds require significant hiking to reach. At Round Valley, "It's a pretty strenuous hike, but you'll be rewarded for the effort! If you get a site on the water, you can take a boat across to to your site," explains Agbi B. This affects how much gear you can reasonably bring.
Tips for camping with families
Select group-friendly sites: Great Divide Campground caters well to family gatherings. "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," reports Scott N.
Check for bug activity: Insects can impact family comfort at certain times. "I was so excited when we got here. The sites are spacious and it's really beautiful. But by the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me," warns LAURA Y. about Turkey Swamp Park, suggesting tick checks and repellent, especially in spring and summer.
Look for dedicated play areas: Many parks feature children's facilities. "Campsites are roomy with electric and water hookups. Centralized playground for the kids with bathrooms and showers next door," notes Dan W. These amenities can be crucial for keeping children entertained during luxury camping trips.
Tips from RVers
Prepare for dirt roads: At some parks like Turkey Swamp, "as soon as you turn off the main road to the park, all roads are dirt, which was a bit surprising. They were well-maintained and in dry weather, not a problem, but probably not if it was rainy," observes Lee D., suggesting caution during wet weather.
Consider site leveling needs: RVers at Panther Lake Camping Resort note variations in site terrain. "Majority of sites are season all campers with LOTS of cottages... Only a handful of full hook up sites surrounded by seasonal cottages. Other area of the place had water and electric but it would be hard to get in/out of if it had rained a lot as it was all on soft grass," explains April L.
Check hookup distances: Water connections can require extended hoses. "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," shares one Mahlon Dickerson visitor, suggesting RVers bring extension equipment when glamping near Nutley.
