Best Campgrounds near Oakland, NJ
Northern New Jersey's Skylands region surrounding Oakland offers diverse camping experiences within an hour's drive. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation in Jefferson provides large, wooded sites with water and electric hookups, while Campgaw Mountain Reservation offers more primitive camping closer to Oakland. Wawayanda State Park Campground, operating from April through October, features tent and RV sites with boat-in access options. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, approximately 30 miles west, contains boat-in primitive sites maintained by the National Park Service. Camp Glen Gray and the Stonetown Circular trail primitive sites provide additional options for those seeking less developed camping experiences.
Camping regulations vary significantly between locations, with many sites requiring advance reservations during peak season. Most state park campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April through October, closing during winter months. 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 and activity while still being in a short driving distance of restaurants, grocery stores, etc." Wildlife considerations include proper food storage in bear country, particularly in the western portions near the Delaware Water Gap. Cell service can be limited in more remote areas, and campers should be prepared for summer humidity and insects, especially ticks.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the region. At High Point State Park, "many sites are walk-in sites that sit lakeside. The sites were large and spread out, and we felt like we had a good amount of privacy," according to one reviewer. Several campgrounds feature access to lakes, rivers, and streams for fishing, swimming, and paddling. Primitive boat-in sites along the Delaware River offer unique experiences, though spring water levels can make landing challenging. Tent campers report mixed experiences at some RV-oriented private campgrounds, where bathroom access and site location can be issues. Most public campgrounds provide standard amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and access to drinking water, though shower facilities vary considerably between locations.