The Randolph area sits at approximately 840 feet elevation in the New Jersey Highlands region, creating varied terrain for camping experiences. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing while summer averages 85°F with moderate humidity. Most campgrounds surrounding Randolph maintain wooded settings, with sites that range from primitive tent platforms to full hookup RV pads on terrain that often features elevation changes.
What to do
Hiking network access: At Jenny Jump State Forest, trails connect directly to camping areas with varied difficulty levels. "I really enjoyed this campground. Primitive, has bathrooms and water spigots. Good hammocking trees and wasn't crowded at all. Plenty of privacy from other sites. Close proximity to good hiking and kayaking at Delaware Water Gap but without the crowds of their sites," notes Lindsay D.
Wolf preserve tours: At Camp Taylor Campground, the Lakota Wolf Preserve offers discounted tours for campers. As one visitor explains, "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." The preserve typically offers twice-daily tours on weekends.
Astronomy opportunities: High Point State Park offers clear night skies away from city light pollution. Campers can set up telescopes at higher elevation sites. "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. The weather was overcast so we weren't able to use our telescope at night," shares one reviewer.
What campers like
Fishing access: Panther Lake Camping Resort provides direct lake fishing from sites. "Fun camping place to books groups. Very kid and pet friendly, lake to fish and kayak on, lots of activities, great pool and awesome hot tub," reports Cynthia H. The lake supports various fish species and allows non-motorized boats.
Private, wooded yurt camping: Yurt camping near Randolph, New Jersey is available at Great Divide Campground, offering more seclusion than standard sites. "Sites had room to move and it was quiet and peaceful. Kids had lots of fun on the free kayaks and pool. Staff was friendly and helpful. Campgrounds have lots of hills so be prepared to hike up and down," mentions Jojo P. These furnished yurts feature real beds and wooden platforms.
Cost-effective wilderness camping: Round Valley State Park Campground provides boat-in or hike-in camping at lower rates than developed sites. "The view was KILLER. The water is crystal clear, the area is clean. There's bathrooms and pumps but we just filtered the water from the reservoir instead which tasted a million times better than the well water," explains James R.
What you should know
Site terrain challenges: Most campgrounds feature significant elevation changes. "Campgrounds have lots of hills so be prepared to hike up and down," notes one Great Divide Campground visitor. At Round Valley State Park Campground, "I have hiked throughout the entire US and consider myself somewhere between a moderate to skilled hiker and I found these trails challenging and uneven, so while the hike we made was only 3 miles, it was not easy."
Winter camping limitations: Only select campgrounds remain open year-round. Stokes State Forest offers winter cabins with wood stoves. "The cabins are reasonably priced and well-appointed, if a bit rustic. I bought wood from a house across the street from the entrance to the cabins and it was damp, but in November, I wasn't complaining, it took awhile but I got a nice blaze going. You need that wood stove to heat up the cabin," shares W L.
Bear safety requirements: Most campgrounds require proper food storage. "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided," warns one camper. At Mahlon Dickerson, "There are a lot of bear warnings here so that gave us a bit of pause with our three little boys."
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Stokes State Forest offers ranger-led programs during summer months. "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. A must see campground," shares Amy B. Programs typically run weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Playground access: Spruce Run Recreation Area features multiple play areas near camping loops. "Several playgrounds, boat launches, and life guarded swimming area," notes Jocelyn G. The main playground sits near the beach area, approximately 5-minute walk from most campsites.
Family-friendly yurt options: For families new to camping, yurt accommodations near Randolph provide comfort while maintaining an outdoor experience. "This is a beautiful campground with much to do around the grounds themselves. They had live music which was actually really good!!! A reggae band. We found plenty of trails to hike with our two dogs," shares a Great Divide Campground visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Spruce Run Recreation Area requires careful site selection for level parking. "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. Sites numbered 1-20 typically offer the most level parking pads.
Water connections: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provides water connections but requires long 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," explains one camper.
Limited dump stations: Not all campgrounds provide sewer hookups. At Camp Taylor, "Electric and water hookups, no sewer but there's a dump station on the way out," notes Dina S. Plan accordingly when selecting between partial and full hookup sites in the area.
