Camping options near Phillipsburg, New Jersey range from primitive tent sites to full-hookup facilities, with most campgrounds located at elevations between 400-700 feet. The region experiences seasonal water level fluctuations in local reservoirs, particularly at Round Valley where summer levels can drop by 5-10 feet from spring highs. Campers find varied terrain within a 20-mile radius including riverside flatlands and wooded mountain settings.
What to do
Paddle the Delaware River: Access the river directly from Worthington State Forest Campground, where waterfront sites make launching kayaks convenient. "Our campsite was located along the Delaware river with a short walk down to be able to launch our canoe and kayak. With the exception of a few noisy campers up from us it was an enjoyable time. The water is rather warm and swimming was enjoyable," shares Mitchell E.
Hike to scenic lookouts: The 9-mile round trip trail from Camp Taylor Campground to Mount Tammany offers panoramic views. "Hiked to Mt. Tammany from the campsite for the best view in NJ (9 miles round trip). Close to all the Pocono/Stroudsburg attractions - we shopped and toured the Frazetta museum," reports Dina S.
Visit the wolf preserve: Located at Camp Taylor, the Lakota Wolf Preserve offers educational tours. "There is a section of RV spots that are each cut out in the woods so very private... You can take a short hike up the mountain there to see the wolves in the sanctuary. There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance," notes Julie F.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Mountainview Campground offers secluded campsites with natural buffers. "This place was actually fantastic, I don't really have anything negative to say about it. The whole scene was exactly what I love about camping, a nice little remote campground in the mountains," writes Christina H.
Access to fishing spots: The ponds and waterways at several campgrounds provide fishing opportunities. "Stayed at one of the primitive sites. Very clean and quite. Bath stalls and showers are basic but clean. Great spot for stargazing. Owners are very nice," shares Scott A. about Mountainview Campground.
Wildlife encounters: Natural settings offer chances to observe local fauna. "We actually only stayed here overnight to just get out and see the autumn colors before winter hit, so I wasn't really expecting much, but man was I impressed," comments Christina H. about Mountainview. "We heard foxes fighting right outside our tent, the snorts of deer, and there were bats right above us all night making noise!"
What you should know
Campground terrain considerations: Some sites present challenges for certain vehicles or camping setups. "The drive to our site had some inclines and was relatively rocky and some vehicles would surely struggle," notes Christina H. about Mountainview Campground.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Quality and maintenance of facilities differ between campgrounds. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, "The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting. I thought with COVID they were cleaning them more, but for the entire weekend, someone's #2 remained all over the toilet, floor, and corner wall," warns Jules T.
Weekend noise levels: Several campgrounds experience increased activity and noise on weekends. "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!!" reports Douglas P. about Spruce Run.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with organized activities: Driftstone Campground offers scheduled events for children. "We went on Halloween weekend and they had so much for the kids to do! Friendly staff and clean sites!" shares Shannon C.
Look for sites near playgrounds: Certain campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "The camp ground is connected to the wolf preserve so you can hear them howl if you listen. Very woodsy so you definitely are in the woods," explains Karralee B. about Camp Taylor.
Check swimming options: Pool availability adds recreational value for families with children. At Driftstone, "Great people, lots of fun activities, clean facilities and beautiful views. We will be back again next year," says Jojo P.
Tips from RVers
Verify site dimensions and access: Some campgrounds have tight turns or low-hanging branches. At Ringing Rocks Family Campground, "Very clean campground, clean bathrooms and showers. However, if you're tent camping the bathrooms are FAR and I highly doubt no one has ever peed outside at night instead of navigating through the night to them," reports Erika T.
Plan for water and electric hookups: Not all sites offer full hookups. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, "There are some RV sites with water & electric which are not on the water, but in the parking lot. I would consider getting one on the water to enjoy the water and one in the parking lot to hook up the RV. It's kind of worth it," suggests Ruette W.
Check dump station locations: Accessibility can vary during busy periods. "Dump station location isn't ideal on a busy morning. I heard they might work on a second dump location and was told to ask if it's ok to stick around until it dies down if our site isn't needed soon," notes Nathan R. about Colonial Woods.
