131 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Somerville, New Jersey primarily consist of established facilities with varying levels of amenities, most operating seasonally from April through October. Round Valley State Park Campground in Lebanon offers tent, RV, and glamping options with boat-in and hike-in access, while Spruce Run Recreation Area in Clinton provides cabins and full hookup sites for RVs. Several parks in the region maintain restrictions on alcohol consumption and require reservations, especially during summer weekends.
Access to most New Jersey state park campgrounds requires advance planning as many sites fill quickly during peak season. "We stayed at Round Valley State Park in our campervan over a chilly autumn weekend," noted one visitor, highlighting the park's appeal beyond summer months. Seasonal operation is consistent across most facilities, with the typical camping season running April 1 through October 31. Terrain varies from wooded settings to waterfront locations, with some campgrounds featuring hiking trails connecting to larger trail systems, including sections of the Appalachian Trail at sites farther north. Cell service ranges from fair to limited depending on the specific location and proximity to more developed areas.
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews, particularly at Round Valley Recreation Area where some visitors appreciate the isolated feeling despite proximity to urban areas. A camper described Round Valley as having "crystal-clear water" and "forests bursting with wildlife," noting that "you will have to look very hard to find a more beautiful camping scene in New Jersey." Many campgrounds feature fire rings and picnic tables at each site, though amenities vary significantly between primitive and developed options. Turkey Swamp Park near Freehold Township stands out for its pull-through sites with water and electric hookups, described by one visitor as having "lots of vegetation for privacy" and a "rustic retro quality." Family-friendly amenities such as playgrounds, fishing lakes, and hiking trails are common at the more developed campgrounds, while primitive sites offer greater seclusion but fewer facilities.
"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."
"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"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."
"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!"
"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."
"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."
from $37 / night
Check Availability"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"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."
"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"Panther lake was a pretty good campground with lots of spots to camp at. Our campsite had a picnic bench and a fire ring. They offer both RV and primitive camping."
"The Lake is the gem of the campground with a really nice beach, good for fishing and kayaking. The negatives were the bathrooms. They are very primitive and quite dirty."
"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."
ScoutRestrooms are filthy with mold and mildew.
Water puddled on the restroom floor.really gross.
Cabin was mostly clean. The windows were full of dirt and bugs on the tracks.mattresses were terrible.The fireplace was nice. Kitchen was clean.
Can t wait to move on to a cleaner park.
ScoutOn Friday, September 4, 2026, I rented a trailer and brought my family to Cheesequake State Park to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary over the extended Labor Day weekend. Around 9:20 PM—well before the park's designated 10:00 PM quiet hours—we were sitting inside our canopy, playing Jenga, and listening to low background music. Two officers from the Matawan Police Department approached our campsite. They were polite and courteous, simply offering a standard reminder to wrap things up by 10:00 PM. Before they could leave, however, a third, senior officer intervened. Wanting to"show them how it's done," he made the two polite officers return and stand by to watch as he demonstrated how to aggressively harass campers. Flashlight in hand, the senior officer approached with an immediate hostile attitude, treating us like criminals as he demanded to know who rented the site. He began reiterating rules and claimed we had too many vehicles. We had three cars, one belonging to my brother-in-law's girlfriend, who was visiting with her daughter. She had paid the$10 visitor fee at the main office and was instructed by staff to obtain the gate access code from us, the primary renters, if she got locked in. No staff member ever informed her of an 8:00 PM visitor departure deadline, leading us to reasonably assume visitors were permitted until quiet hours began at 10:00 PM. The officer rudely snapped that she had been given wrong information. The senior officer then used profanity in front of three small children, aggressively telling her to ("get her shit and get the fuck out!") in that manner or use profanity, the officer went from hostile to furious. He angrily declared that these were official violations and threatened that he could be issuing us tickets instead. Desperately searching for anything and everything to throw at us, he demanded that we turn off our idling car—which was supplying power to our campsite—and instructed us to make sure the campfire was doused before shutting down for the night. He then proceeded to shine his flashlight into our private setup—including our canopy, tents, and the inside of our trailer—searching for any other possible violation while the two polite officers were forced to watch. What was supposed to be a special 10th wedding anniversary celebration with my family was completely ruined by a senior officer misusing his authority to put on an unnecessary display of intimidation. Worse than just ruining our night, he spent that evening teaching those two police officers how to be bad cops. He corrupted two officers in real time, demonstrating firsthand exactly why most people have lost faith in the police force. The next day we was ready for them. We turned off our lights and quietly by the fire while they went next door to harass an asian family that had just set up camp and had their leds lights on.
RangerWe stayed just a couple nights here on our way north. The camp host was helpful before our stay and during check-in. Our site was pretty isolated from the others, so it was very quiet (no complaints here). There is a decent mix of sunny sites by the river and shady sites under the trees. The weather was perfect mid September. There wasn't anything spectacular for me, but it was a good experience and it was a nice taste of fall PA scenery. Beware that the roads are tight for a big rig. Side note, it did seem like most campers lived there.
GuideBooked the day before—even on the holiday weekend! Just 1.5 hours outside of NYC, site was a bit close to the neighbors (fire pit was very far back and basically in the neighbors’ campsite, but we put up a “privacy clothesline” and hung a tarp over it for a bit of extra coverage.
The staff was friendly and helpful, they said it was the busiest they’ve seen the campground all year (there were lots of large groups but everyone seemed to settle down by 9:30pm
Poison ivy was EVERYWHERE at our site so make sure to stick to the open areas and the paths. Lots of families around, we felt very safe Bathrooms were fine—it was my impression they’re usually cleaner but the high traffic of the weekend left a bit to be desired, (lots of families around=dirty diapers in the bathroom trash bin) but it’s camping! I’m not gonna argue w a flushing toilet!
GuideBeautiful campground but made the mistake of going on a holiday weekend, the campgrounds next to us were screaming and blasting music all day and throughout the night so we ended up leaving early. A beautiful campground when there aren’t noisy capers ruining it.
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.
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.
Campgrounds near Somerville, New Jersey operate primarily between April and October, with terrain ranging from wooded settings to waterfront locations. Sites at Round Valley State Park and Mountainview Campground require significant preparation for primitive camping experiences. Weather conditions in the region vary seasonally, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months and cooler autumn temperatures dropping to 50-65°F in September and October, affecting preparation needs and comfort considerations.
Boat rentals at Spruce Run: During summer months, visitors can rent kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, and row boats at Spruce Run Recreation Area. The lake provides calm waters suitable for beginners. "Boats/Kayaks can be rented. You can launch your kayak easily from the shore," notes a regular visitor who's been camping there for over ten years.
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park offers an archery range with hay barrels for target practice. "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels," suggests a visitor who returns annually. The range is typically open during regular park hours but closed during hunting season.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple reservoirs and waterways provide fishing access, with Panther Lake specifically noted for good fishing. "Great for sailing and fishing," reports one camper about the waters at Spruce Run Recreation Area. Species commonly caught include trout, bass, and catfish.
Privacy between sites: At Mountainview Campground, campers appreciate the spacious sites and distance between them. "The property is well kept and campsites are a good distance from each other. Plenty of open field as well as wooded areas," says one visitor. Sites average 30-40 feet apart, providing adequate separation.
Access to the Delaware River: Campgrounds in western areas near the Somerville region provide easy access to the Delaware River. "Short drive to the Delaware River for tubing," reports a Mountainview Campground visitor. Tubing trips typically take 2-4 hours depending on water levels and entry points.
Clean bathroom facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept facilities. At Turkey Swamp Park, "The bathrooms and showers are clean and well maintained," according to a recent visitor. Many campgrounds provide hot showers, though some operate on timer buttons or coin systems.
Highway noise concerns: Some campgrounds near major roadways experience traffic noise. At Spruce Run, "Late at night you can hear the drone of a major highway," mentions one camper. Similarly, at Cheesequake State Park Campground, "the Parkway is right there so its not a nice quiet place."
Seasonal campsite variations: Many campgrounds have different sections with varying levels of privacy and amenities. At Panther Lake, "If you can score a secluded spot in the woods that would be perfect but anywhere else can be a bummer," warns a visitor, noting that some areas feel like "staying in the middle of a neighborhood."
Primitive camping challenges: Some locations require significant effort to reach campsites. At Round Valley Recreation Area, "You will want to bring as little with you as possible – packing too much to come here just isn't worth the work," advises one experienced camper who found the trails "challenging and uneven" despite considering himself a skilled hiker.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Ringing Rocks Family Campground, visitors noted a "Nice double playground" and seasonal activities. "We went on Halloween weekend and they had so much for the kids to do!" reports one parent.
Dedicated family activities: Some campgrounds organize regular events. "We had some issues with hikers being young and partying and just being very ignorant," mentioned a camper at Cheesequake, highlighting the importance of choosing family-oriented campgrounds with scheduled activities rather than those with unrestricted access.
Swimming options: During summer months, several parks offer swimming areas. Camp Carr provides riverside camping where "the view and peaceful sound of the river are wonderful," though one visitor notes swimming facilities may be limited during pandemic restrictions. Always check current swimming regulations before planning water activities with children.
Site access concerns: Many campgrounds have limitations for larger vehicles. At Camp Carr Campground, one RVer advises, "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." Plan accordingly for limited hookup availability.
Hookup positioning challenges: Placement of utilities varies between sites. At Spruce Run, "Sites in Loops B-E all have pull-thru driveways," but one camper notes "be sure to bring extra hose because the water spigot is a distance from the electric."
Low-hanging branches: Forest campgrounds may present obstacles for taller rigs. At Spruce Run, "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." Most RV-friendly campgrounds post maximum height clearances online or will provide this information when booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Somerville, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Somerville, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 131 campgrounds and RV parks near Somerville, NJ and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Somerville, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Somerville, NJ is Round Valley State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 25 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Somerville, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Somerville, NJ.
What parks are near Somerville, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Somerville, NJ that allow camping, notably Gateway National Recreation Area and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
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