The Short Hills area offers camping options in rural northern New Jersey where the terrain varies from rolling hills to more mountainous landscapes. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 200-1,200 feet with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. Winter camping is available at select locations where temperatures can drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Lake activities: At Turkey Swamp Park, campers have access to kayaking, canoeing, and fishing at the on-site lake. "Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from. Campsites are roomy with electric and water hookups," notes Dan W.
Hiking trails: Multiple short to moderate trails are available within a 30-minute drive. Stokes State Forest offers over 63 miles of hiking options across 21 marked trails. "You can also drive or hike to Sunset Mountain Scenic Overlook for a view of High Point Monument," mentions Trip Over Life, describing the available viewpoints.
Archery: Unique outdoor activities beyond the typical camping experience are available nearby. "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels," suggests Patrick M. about Turkey Swamp Park. This less common amenity provides a different outdoor recreational option.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Campers consistently mention the generous sites at many parks in the region. "Sites in Loops B-E all have pull-thru driveways. Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy," notes Lee D. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting provides opportunities to observe local fauna. "We heard foxes fighting right outside our tent, the snorts of deer, and there were bats right above us all night making noise!" reports Christina H. from Mountainview Campground in Little York, highlighting the active wildlife in the area.
Clean facilities: Despite being rural campgrounds, many locations maintain well-kept amenities. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, one camper noted, "We got settled in and unpacked our supplies and set up our camp. The campgrounds were just okay... the overall park itself is very nice during the day."
What you should know
Highway noise: Several campgrounds in the region are affected by traffic sounds. At Allaire State Park, Justin S. reports, "Clean bathrooms. Sites are a little too close together. Noisy with highway traffic. Well maintained though."
Tick prevention: Insect preparation is essential, particularly for ticks. "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2. That was so crazy because we were just sitting by our camper," warns Laura Y. about her experience at Turkey Swamp Park.
Bathroom variability: Facility quality differs significantly between parks. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, a camper reported, "Showers were cold water only and very cold at that." Another camper noted, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's play areas. At Turkey Swamp Park, a visitor noted: "There is a centralized playground for the kids with bathrooms and showers next door. Staff was awesome! Attentive and outgoing."
Educational opportunities: The Ocquittunk campground area provides nature learning opportunities. "The caping set up was nice and I enjoyed the proximity to available hikes in the area. The 'lake' however, was kind of a disappointment. It was much smaller then I expected," shares Ethan K.
Seasonal considerations: Timing affects the family camping experience significantly. "We went camping with our 2- and 3-year-old kids. We were worried about bugs, but we didn't even use mosquito repellent and didn't get a single bite! The campground was super clean too," reports Jaewook P. about their early season visit to Turkey Swamp Park.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: For horse owners traveling with RVs near Short Hills, hookup availability varies by site position. At Liberty Harbor RV Park, Joe R. notes: "Sites kind of level and very close. Power and water, and convenient dump station if staying and needing to dump. The bath house was above average and heated."
Water access planning: RVers should prepare for variable water hookup placement. "Bring a LONG water hose," advises Shawn about Turkey Swamp Park, highlighting that hookups may not be ideally positioned relative to camping pads.
Level site selection: Finding suitable parking for horse trailers and RVs requires attention to site grading. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, Frank J. observed: "My campsite was 34W, right next the reservoir. Nice location however the website said it was full shade. The picnic table was in shade. The spot for the RV was full sun."
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