Round Valley State Park Campground offers a distinct glamping experience near Pittstown, New Jersey, with sites only accessible by boat or hiking trails. Located in the Hunterdon County highlands at around 500 feet elevation, this area features numerous reservoirs and rolling hills. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F with cooling evening breezes coming off the water.
What to do
Hiking to campsites: At Round Valley State Park Campground, access requires effort but rewards with isolation. "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 your site," notes Agbi B., who recommends checking site regulations before arriving.
Paddling opportunities: Water access expands your camping options significantly. "We paddled in, the water is very clean and crystal clear," shares Riley K. about Round Valley. This area offers multiple water bodies including the South Branch of the Raritan River at Camp Carr Campground, where one camper noted: "Excellent view of the South Branch and extremely relaxing."
Wolf preserve tours: A unique feature of the region is wildlife viewing. "The wolf preserve at the same location was just amazing - we learned so much and could hear the wolves howl from the campsite," writes a visitor to Camp Taylor Campground, which offers direct access to the Lakota Wolf Preserve with multiple daily tours.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Mountainview Campground receives consistent praise for site privacy. "The campsites are spacious and the facilities are clean," notes Emily. Another visitor, Mario M., adds: "The property is well kept and campsites are a good distance from each other. Plenty of open field as well as wooded areas."
Wildlife encounters: The region's natural setting creates opportunities for wildlife viewing. At Jenny Jump State Forest, visitors report diverse wildlife sightings. "During the day the parking lots filled up and there was some overflow parking for day-hikers across the road. We got to see their dogs, so that was a bonus for us!" shares one camper about their experience.
Water recreation: Swimming and boating options abound. "The swimming pond is pleasant and great to cool off in," notes a camper at Camp Taylor. Similarly, at Spruce Run Recreation Area, Ruette W. appreciates that "You can launch your kayak easily from the shore," adding that many sites offer "nice mix of sun and shade" with excellent water views.
What you should know
Shower facilities vary: Bathroom and shower conditions differ considerably between campgrounds. At Spruce Run, one camper warns: "Showers were cold water only and very cold at that." Meanwhile, at Tohickon Family Campground, a visitor found "bathhouses are basic but clean."
Weather preparedness: The area experiences sudden weather changes. "The reservoir can turn into the Bermuda Triangle at any moment—be careful," cautions Janine W. at Round Valley. This warning suggests being prepared for quick-changing water conditions when boating or swimming.
Seasonal restrictions: Several campgrounds operate within limited timeframes. Many are open from April through October, with Mountainview Campground implementing a strict arrival policy: "After talking to them, they would not allow us to come late, but did refund the first night," reports Kyhlea D.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple activity options: Family-friendly campgrounds offer various entertainment options. At Ringing Rocks Family Campground, "We went on Halloween weekend and they had so much for the kids to do! Friendly staff and clean sites!" shares Shannon C., highlighting seasonal events.
Playground access: Many campgrounds feature dedicated children's areas. One camper at Mountainview Campground mentions: "A playground for kids" in their list of amenities. Similarly, Camp Taylor receives praise from Dan B. who notes: "A nice playground with tons of kids running all over."
Swimming options: For hot summer days, water access is crucial. Frank J. from Spruce Run mentions that "Boats/Kayaks can be rented," while another camper noted that the "life guarded swimming area" provides safe water recreation for children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RVers should research specific sites before booking. "If bringing your RV, the safest bet is to reserve a spot with no shade as the other spots often times have very low hanging tree limbs," advises Douglas P. about Spruce Run Recreation Area.
Hookup limitations: Water and electric hookups are standard in the area, but sewer connections are less common. A Camp Taylor visitor notes: "Electric and water hookups, no sewer but there's a dump station on the way out."
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads. As one camper at Mountainview Campground observes: "The drive to our site had some inclines and was relatively rocky and some vehicles would surely struggle."
