135 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Raritan spans from RV sites with electric hookups to boat-in and hike-in tent camping at state parks, with options for cabin rentals and lakeside sites. Round Valley State Park Campground in Lebanon features boat-in and hike-in access with tent and RV sites, while Spruce Run Recreation Area in Clinton provides electric hookups, water access, and cabin rentals. Camp Carr Campground along the Raritan River and Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold Township round out the selection of established campgrounds in the region. Most facilities maintain moderate to high ratings from campers seeking outdoor recreation near populated areas.
The camping season for most state parks runs from April 1 to October 31, with limited or no winter camping available. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends when water-access sites fill quickly. Several campgrounds offer electric hookups for RVs, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Most state parks prohibit alcohol consumption, while private campgrounds often allow it with some restrictions. Pet policies differ considerably—Spruce Run Recreation Area prohibits pets, while most other locations welcome them at designated sites. As one camper noted about Camp Carr, "Windy country roads to bike on with the family and a nearby hiking trail. A good time; I would come back again."
Water access represents a significant draw for many campgrounds in the region. Round Valley State Park offers crystal-clear reservoir waters popular with anglers targeting lake trout, though swimming is technically prohibited. Several campers mention the scenic quality of these locations, with one visitor to Round Valley noting: "You will have to look very hard to find a more beautiful camping scene in New Jersey." Many campgrounds feature boat-in sites that provide a more secluded experience despite proximity to urban areas. Turkey Swamp Park receives particular praise for its 17-acre lake, fishing opportunities, and spacious sites with natural vegetation providing privacy between campsites. Hikers can access additional recreation at nearby Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, offering boat-in primitive camping along the river for those seeking a more remote experience.
"The crystal-clear water is home to huge lake trout and the forests are bursting with wildlife. The sunsets across the lake are to die for."
"Once you get to the campground trail it’s pretty easy going on asphalt surface."
"Park employees and park police drive around through the day. Some big groups of campers got a little rowdy at night. The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting."
"The actual site was nice and was close to the bathrooms. There was plenty of shade as the sun moved throughout the day."
"I stayed at Cheesequake at the beginning of August and had a very positive experience."
"This park is on the list of 50 top NJ Hikes, and it has a few great trails. The trails range from easy to moderate with quite a few lookout locations."
from $200 / night
Check Availability"We were kindly escorted to our site (a nice refreshing change from having to wander around to find the sites ourselves), which was the one farthest away from the entrance."
"Close by to a couple of nice state parks. Cute sheep and goats that wander about during the day! Sweet little spot, we'll definitely be back!"
"We’re total newbs but we had a great time parked next to the raritan river. Spot 21 was open on the one side since they weren’t allowing tents during Covid."
"Both times it was a positive experience. Excellent view of the South Branch and extremely relaxing. Only negative was the rest rooms closed sometime soon after the day camps let out."
from $37 / night
Check Availability"The pit latrines were clean, the water spigots worked fine, and there was plenty of wildlife to see roam through the surrounding areas. It was home away from home."
"There are many things to do close by too like the observatory, Round Valley beach, Grounds for Art, etc. We all really enjoyed ourselves and plan on returning."
"We stayed in New Jersey for our 5th campground on the East Coast: Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold. This is a County park.
Near some Revolutionary War battlefields.
I really liked this park!"
"Electrical and water are at the outer edge of each site so you might want an extension cord and/or hose."
from $42 - $79 / night
Check Availability"Washington Crossing Historic Park, straddling Pennsylvania and New Jersey along the Delaware River, is one of those rare places where you can literally camp in history."
"I always look forward to going because it is consistently clean, great for riding bikes and taking pets for a walk and children for a stroll PLUS it is significant historically and it is enjoyable for"
from $50 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Store has most, if not all you essentials. ( had to get an extension cord because I forgot one of mine) so, if everything was positive, why did I give it four stars??"
"There are many beautiful sights around including the Delaware River, ringing rocks Park, and Nockamixon. The park is clean and well-maintained, the facilities are clean as well."
"Easy to drive in and out. No “camp store/ features” but there’s a local pool with swing sets within walking distance and lots of manageable trails along the cliffs."
"The Delaware Canal is nearby with the tow path for biking. That makes this a nice Bikepacking stop."
RangerWe camped here in our pop up for our Anniversary in November. We were impressed with the cleanliness and available amenities for the time of year we were camping in! Close proximity to DWG and PA AND NJ attractions.
TravelerAnother great experience. Sites were large. Staff was friendly with many different things for kids to do. Great base camp for local hikes.
RangerOur travel trailer and our friends' pop up both fit on this site with no problem. The only issue we had is that there is a bit of a ditch that turns to mud after a rain. We were off the beaten path so very little traffic. There was a bathroom with pit toilets down the street. Plenty of places to hike and fish also. We loved it here!
RangerWe came here to ride our ATV's...since it is more than 3 hours from home, we decided to book this spot for the night. We have stayed in a bunch of the DWSF sites. This one was kinda meh. Nearer to the road so traffic at all hours. Picnic table and fire ring, and as always, evidence of people chopping down live trees for firewood. Ugh! We set up our tent and had a nice fire, albeit there was broken glass on the ground. Biting flies worked overtime on us. Not a terrible stay, but we prolly won't book this one again. And these sites are no longer free. As out of state-rs, we paid $21 for one night. Still a good deal.
ScoutAs far as experience it was good. The main issue was the campsite where we were was uneven and caused many of the sleeping arrangements that we had to be not level. This seems to be a specific issue to the group campsite number two as when we went inwards it seemed like everything else was much better.
GuideTwo night stay, large loud parties make it hard to enjoy but once most of them left it was nice to walk down to the river. Bath house with toilets and showers, not all lights working. No swimming access but boat access and trails for hiking.
TravelerWe’ve been to Camp Taylor twice now for tent camping: September 2021 and May 2023. We stayed at the rustic tent sites both times, and there was room for 2 cars and 2 tents. Depending on how you want your setup, there are some that are more secluded and others that are close together and would be great for group camping.
The staff are all lovely and take the time to explain the rules both in-person at check-in and on the forms they provide at the time of booking. They are not hiding how seriously they take rules like quiet hours, and it will keep campers like me coming back. If you are respectful of the folks around you and especially during the posted quiet hours, you will have no problems.
The office and shop keep supply of snacks, firewood, and gifts. There are flush toilets mapped in spots of the tent sites (SUCH a pleasant surprise! I was expecting a porta-potty or vault toilet), and hot showers are available at the same complex as the office.
ScoutWe had such a wonderful stay at Evergreen Lake and Fishing with our 43’ fifth wheel. From the moment we arrived, everything felt calm, welcoming, and well cared for. Having WiFi, electric, and water included in the cost of our stay was a huge plus and made settling in completely stress-free. The grounds are meticulously maintained—you can tell there’s a lot of pride and care put into this place. It’s incredibly peaceful here, the kind of quiet that actually lets you breathe and relax. On top of that, we met so many friendly, kind people during our stay, which really added to the experience and made it feel like a little community rather than just a campground. If you’re looking for a serene, well-kept spot that feels welcoming and comfortable—especially with a larger rig—this place is a gem. We’re so glad we stayed here and would absolutely recommend it.
ScoutI spent 4 days and 3 nights with my 6th grade Girl Scouts. We were at sites 23 and 24 which worked out great because they back up against each other. The bathrooms were super clean and well maintained. There are outlets at the bathroom building by the sink to charge any electronics. The playground is adequate and the field is big for playing. There are many things to do close by too like the observatory, Round Valley beach, Grounds for Art, etc. We all really enjoyed ourselves and plan on returning.
Central New Jersey's camping options near Raritan vary from heavily wooded state parks to riverside settings, with elevations ranging from 200 to 500 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds in the region sit within 45 minutes of Raritan by car, providing relatively quick access to outdoor recreation without extensive travel time. Seasonal patterns dictate availability, with most sites fully booked on summer weekends at least 2-3 weeks in advance.
Climb and paddle near Pipersville: Tohickon Valley County Park offers unique recreation opportunities beyond standard camping. "This place is amazing! everything you could want... a good 100' rack wall perfect for climbing, great fishing, trails for miles that even connects to the AT, and when scheduled they open the dam up stream for som world class whitewater rafting," notes Brett C. about Tohickon Valley County Park.
Bicycle on country roads: The South Branch of the Raritan River area offers excellent cycling routes. "Windy country roads to bike on with the family and a nearby hiking trail," mentions Vanessa K. about her experience at Camp Carr Campground. Camp Carr's location directly along the river provides immediate access to these routes.
Practice archery and paddling: Turkey Swamp Park includes facilities for archery enthusiasts. "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," writes Dan W. The 17-acre lake permits kayaking, canoeing, paddle boats, and row boats with rentals available in summer.
Secluded water access: Many campers appreciate the waterfront locations that offer privacy. "Stayed here 2 nights in May, Friday-Sunday... Our site was on the water and it was really nice. A duck visited us every morning," reports Jules T. about her experience at Spruce Run Recreation Area. These water sites provide direct views of the reservoir.
Crystal-clear water: Round Valley's water quality stands out in reviews. "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. about Round Valley State Park Campground. The reservoir spans 2,350 acres and reaches 180 feet deep.
Spacious sites with privacy: Turkey Swamp Park receives consistent praise for site layout. "Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy. A lantern hook, picnic table, and fire ring complete each site," describes Lee D. The campground features five loops with pull-through driveways for convenient access.
Weather and terrain challenges: Round Valley's remoteness creates access issues. "Located just south of I78 and near the small hamlets of Clinton and Lebanon... you can only access by hiking 3 to 6 miles—or if you come with your own boat... 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," warns Stuart K.
Noise levels vary significantly: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. "The only con to this campground is it's proximity to the highway. You can hear 78, especially at night once the campground settles down," notes Jules T. about Spruce Run. Similarly, Cheesequake has road noise issues as "the Parkway is right there so its not a nice quiet place," according to Stacey R.
Bathroom facilities quality fluctuates: Maintenance standards differ between locations. "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," reports Jules T. about Spruce Run. In contrast, at Mountainview Campground, Scott A. found "Bath stalls and showers are basic but clean."
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office," notes Lee D. about Turkey Swamp Park, while Jocelyn G. mentions Spruce Run has "Several playgrounds, boat launches, and life guarded swimming area."
Consider noise sensitivity: Some campgrounds experience weekend noise issues. "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. Weekday camping may provide quieter experiences.
Halloween celebrations: Special seasonal events create memorable experiences. At Ringing Rocks Family Campground, Shannon C. reports, "We went on Halloween weekend and they had so much for the kids to do! Friendly staff and clean sites!" These organized activities provide entertainment beyond standard camping.
Hookup limitations: Water and electric access varies significantly between sites. "We luckily have some solar so we can go for awhile without running the generator. We fill our fresh water tank for and bring drinking water," explains Ruette W. about Spruce Run Recreation Area. She adds, "There are some RV sites with water & electric which are not on the water, but in the parking lot."
Tree clearance concerns: Low branches create access issues at some campgrounds. "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. This issue primarily affects larger RVs and travel trailers.
Dump station and bathroom access: Most campgrounds offer limited dumping facilities. "You must have a trailer with your own restroom and shower. Sites are water and 30 amp electric only no sewer so I recommend bringing your own portable dump tank. They have a dump station for use when leaving," advises melissa N. about Camp Carr Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any established campgrounds near Raritan?
Yes, several well-established campgrounds are located near Raritan. Butterfly Camping Resort offers large sites with privacy features like trees and shrubs separating campsites. The resort includes amenities such as a playground, various activities for children, clean bathrooms, and a fishing lake. Another excellent option is Voorhees State Park Campground near Glen Gardner, which provides reservable sites with water access and toilet facilities. The park is also big-rig friendly, making it suitable for campers with larger RVs.
What are the best camping sites near Raritan?
The Raritan area offers several excellent camping options. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation in the Skylands region stands out with its paved, level sites in wooded settings. The reservation offers water and electric hookups, a dump station, and is perfect for both short stays and longer adventures. Another great option is Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold, featuring a 17-acre lake, hiking trails, and spacious sites. Both locations provide a mix of natural beauty and convenient amenities that make them ideal for campers seeking a memorable outdoor experience near Raritan.
How do I find camping locations around Raritan for a weekend trip?
For a weekend camping trip near Raritan, look into several scenic options within easy driving distance. High Point State Park Campground offers beautiful lakeside campsites with hiking and biking trails accessible right from your site. You can even hike to the monument at New Jersey's highest point or explore a section of the Appalachian Trail. Another great weekend destination is Great Divide Campground near Newton, which features scenic settings with a small lake, a pond, and surrounding woods. Both locations provide a perfect weekend escape with varied recreational opportunities.
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