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Best Campgrounds near Stanhope, NJ

967 Reviews

The Skylands region surrounding Stanhope, New Jersey features diverse camping environments within a 30-minute drive. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers large, wooded sites with water and electric hookups, while Great Divide Campground provides family-oriented amenities including a swimming beach, kayak rentals, and weekend entertainment. Stephens State Park Campground and Panther Lake Camping Resort represent the range of public and private options available. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, approximately 20 miles west, contains primitive boat-in sites along the river, providing a more secluded experience. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several offering cabin rentals for those seeking additional comfort.

Camping regulations vary significantly between state parks and private campgrounds in the area. Most state park campgrounds operate seasonally from April through October, with limited winter availability. According to one camper at Mahlon Dickerson, "The campsites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large. Convenient for hiking and exploring, it's also only a 20 minute drive to a large mall in Rockaway." Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for summer weekends when New York City residents seek outdoor escapes. Weather conditions remain relatively mild during camping season, though summer humidity can be significant. Bear activity requires proper food storage throughout the region, with several reviewers noting wildlife encounters.

Lakeside and riverside sites receive consistently high ratings from visitors but fill quickly during peak season. Stokes State Forest, which maintains four distinct camping areas including the more primitive Steam Mill Camping Area, provides varying levels of amenities and seclusion. One reviewer noted, "Stokes is nestled in a beautiful part of New Jersey and it's just remote enough that you can get away from the crowds and activity while still being in a short driving distance of restaurants, grocery stores, etc." Cell service can be spotty in more remote areas, particularly in the Delaware Water Gap region. Campers frequently mention the Appalachian Trail access as a highlight, with several campgrounds positioned near trail sections. Site sizes and privacy levels vary considerably, with some private campgrounds placing tent sites close together while state parks typically offer more separation between campsites.

Map showing campgrounds near Stanhope, New JerseyExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Stanhope, New Jersey (174)

    1. Great Divide Campground

    16 Reviews
    Andover, NJ
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 383-4026

    " Our 4rth state in our 5 state trip is New Jersey! We wanted to see Delaware Water Gap NRA & I found a campground by Newton called The Great Divide. This is a private campground."

    "All the positive reviews about this place are accurate! Beautiful, clean, well maintained, lots to do, great value for your $$"

    2. Panther Lake Camping Resort

    17 Reviews
    Andover, NJ
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 347-4440

    "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."

    3. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation

    18 Reviews
    Jefferson, NJ
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 697-3140

    "Located in the Skylands of New Jersey, Mahlon Dickerson Campgound is a perfect place to spend a few nights or a couple of weeks. The campsites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large."

    "It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities."

    4. Jenny Jump State Forest

    14 Reviews
    Johnsonburg, NJ
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (908) 459-4366

    "The bathroom/shower was only a few steps away which was convenient and clean."

    "All the sites are set up nearby the office where people are all day should you ever need anything. The workers are super friendly and regularly make rounds of the grounds."

    5. Worthington State Forest Campground — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

    39 Reviews
    Shawnee on Delaware, NJ
    21 miles
    Website

    "Full bathrooms are located behind campsite #15 (clean flushing bathrooms, with motion-sensed lighting, showers, dishwashing sink), but easily accessible from campsites nearby."

    "Bathrooms with flush toilets are conveniently located centrally every so often."

    6. Swartswood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    13 Reviews
    Newton, NJ
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 383-5230

    "We booked a campsite at the far end of the loop by the lake, which looked to be the right spot for some privacy, but a longer walk to the bathroom and water spigot."

    "The campsites are slightly separated from the lake (maybe 8 min walk to lake) but that also means you aren’t bothered by day guests. The lake is beautiful! Great for swimming and fishing."

    7. Stokes State Forest

    27 Reviews
    Layton, NJ
    19 miles
    Website

    $7 - $55 / night

    "It was a solid choice: private but close to the toilet and water. Some sites located around the opposite side of the ring back up to a babbling brook. The rushing water will soothe you to sleep."

    "We stayed at the campsite at Lake Ocquittunk Area. Campsite was very spacious and had a platform where we were able to fit two tents. There was plenty of space on the site for more tents."

    8. Camp Taylor Campground

    24 Reviews
    Pahaquarry, NJ
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (908) 496-4333

    $33 - $42 / night

    "Positives: sites are decent sized with fire pits and picnic tables. easy access to hiking, convenient to a beautiful vineyard, peaceful region, and the most amazing wolf preserve is right next to you.  "

    "They were knowledgeable about the surrounding towns, their campground, and basically everything nature related. This was our very first night camping in an RV (we were renters at the time)."

    9. Stephens State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Hackettstown, NJ
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (908) 852-3790

    "There are dumpsters but no recycling (not sure if New Jersey segregates recycling after pickup). 

    ATT had some reception but we forgot to check the Verizon phone. "

    "Was a bit hard to locate the office to check in but finally found it. The camp site was spacious. The bathrooms were struggling with the plumbing but were fairly clean."

    10. Round Valley State Park Campground

    25 Reviews
    Lebanon, NJ
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (908) 236-6355

    "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."

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Recent Camping Photos near Stanhope, NJ

673 Photos of 174 Stanhope Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Stanhope, NJ

967 Reviews of 174 Stanhope Campgrounds

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Liberty Harbor RV Park

    friendly staff at the office

    Gave us a welcome folder with lots of helpful info, can walk to get food up the street, short drive to Liberty Park where we got out and walked at night to admire the city skyline and Statue of Liberty at night. They have hook ups and big laundry room.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Tohickon Family Campground

    Wonderful campground!

    Great camping, great hiking, pretty close to stores if you need anything. Staff is incredible!! Very polite, helpful, and just all around awesome People!!! They make sure your stay is exactly what you’d want it to be.. getting here was a little tricky having to go around the covered bridge but not anything that would ever deter me and my family from coming back. Overall very impressed!! They even were able To get us in very last minute WITH full hook ups for my trailer!!!!

  • Jessica V.
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Tohickon Family Campground

    Great weekend spot

    We went with friends for a weekend. Both families have little kids and it was a great spot with a playground, construction digging area, and a bunch of activities for the kids to do. We went in September so the pool was closed but it looked like a nice size. Full hook ups which was great! Also they have a nice stream that everyone went fishing at. They are building some new sites at the end of the property.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Round Valley State Park Campground

    Get Your Hard-Core Hiking In To Enjoy This CG

    Located just south of I78 and near the small hamlets of Clinton and Lebanon, what I love most about Round Valley SP is the fact that it has its very own eponymous fresh water reservoir, which spanning some 2,350 acres and is 180 feed deep in the middle, this body of water provides a solid amount of upside for anyone wanting to kayak, canoe or swim. One of the greatest assets at this particular SP CG are the wonderful rangers who keep this place in such tip-top condition year-round. From the North Picnic Area, Bray’s Hill Preserve and Round Valley Beachhead to the East Picnic Area, Round Valley Farm on the eastern side of the reservoir as well as Round Valley Rec Area, there’s a lot to explore at this SP.

    One interesting fact about this place– believe it or not– it is the only NJ SP that actually offers up true wilderness camping(a.k.a. primitive), which can only be accessed by hiking 3 to 6 miles– or if you come with your own boat, you can access by water– and can be found on the SE corner of the reservoir. There is a second area nearby called Spruce Run Recreation Area that can be accessed by driving to this location, which is on the other side of I78 NW of Round Valley SP. That said, if you’re looking to camp here at Round Valley, I highly recommend you boat in as the hiking path is incredibly difficult to manage without hauling all of your camping gear, so coming in with a ton of gear is even more difficult/ prohibitive.

    When you finally do arrive to this primitive CG immersed in NJ’s thick wild foliage, you’ll experience waterfront bliss with a crystalline bevy of trout-infused reservoir water, and you won’t get much in the way of amenities, apart from a few random water pumps and some rocks piled in a circle that, um, I guess makes up a fire ring. While there are backwoods-style bathroom pits, these are very ill-managed and you’ll come across the‘stank’ well before actually even arriving here, so we just didn’t use them. There’s picnic tables, but the one we had was in pretty rough condition. The thing I found odd about the place is that after hiking so far in to get to this location, you’re not allowed to swim in the reservoir, which kind of defeats the entire point IMHO. That said, the views are amazing and because there’s nothing else in these parts, you will experience true peace in nature.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few:(1) Whether hiking or kayaking to this CG, you will want to bring as little with you as possible– packing too much to come here just isn’t worth the work;(2) We found parking in the Southern Lot to be perfectly fine and while we were initially worried about leaving our vehicle parked there for a few nights, we were reassured by the park rangers who patrol the lot constantly;(3) While the water in the reservoir may look crystal clear, it is not crystal clean and I would STRONGLY encourage anyone who thinks that it is OK to drink from the reservoir to at least use a Life Straw to ensure they don’t get sick;(4) 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 and I would be worried about someone breaking an ankle getting to this CG– so at a minimum, ensure you are wearing proper hiking boots. Seriously, for what this SP puts you through to access this CG one really needs to question why they’re being charged anything at all in the first place.

    Happy Camping!

  • Kylie R.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Mountain Vista Campground

    A mix of being able to unplug but also have the ammenities avavilble if wanted/needed

    This campground is very clean, staff and campers are very friendly. It’s a great spot if you have kids because they have many different activities(pool/arcade games/movie nights/ and more.)

  • Damia F.
    Aug. 29, 2025

    High Point State Park Campground

    Relaxing and Well-Maintained

    Stayed 2 nights and it was really nice. Camping for summer is pretty limited to Sawmill Lake, as the other locations are for groups or winter camping. Camps are secluded from each other and most if not all have an elevated space to put tents or chairs. Each place comes with a lamp hang, a fire pit, and a picnic table. Bathrooms are spaced out. No running water except for pump founded outside of the bathrooms. Toilets are pump flushed. Showers are only located INSIDE High Point State Park, not throughout the campsites, but entry is free for campers. One hiking trail is accessible in Sawmill campground, 3 others are accessible on the road outside of the campground and the rest are located inside the park. When you arrive you have to check in with the park office for your campsite tag. Hours are 8-4. Park officials come through the campsites pretty regularly, a few times a day which is nice. Areas are clean and well maintained.

  • j
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Cranberry Run Campground

    Don’t Stay here!!

    It’s not a campground. It’s where people stash their rvs, some of whom seem to live here permanently. Caretaker was rude. Sites were all rocky and many on steep inclines. Complete waste of our time. Plus, the site looks nothing like the pictures they post, which is an area you can’t camp at. Don’t stay here.

  • Paul K.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Croton Point Park

    Not the Best Place to Go in the Northeast By a Longshot

    Croton Point Campground is a modest little campground, located along the Hudson River within Croton Point Park in NY. In addition to camping, the park itself offers many of its own attractions, including swimming, hiking, kayaking, cabin rentals, and a host of other family-oriented activities just along the Hudson. 

    The park, which is honestly probably the largest attraction here, is located just an hour and a half outside of the city. This proximity is both its perk and its downfall, as the park itself, but particularly the campground, has become laden with all sorts of inexplicable and burdensome rules, endless guidelines, and restrictions only a New York State-run bureaucracy could ever make sense of, let alone hope to justify. 

    This includes all manner of restrictions on how you can camp, where you can camp, what equipment can be used, and use in relation to what particular site you may have been lucky enough to reserve. Much of this you can understand while imagining what may have taken place here to bring them to such measures, but it doesn't make it any easier to contend with. 

    In terms of the actual camping conditions Both the tenting section and RV sites are each very clustered together, and quite crowded, with regular patrols🚓(actual patrols) being made day and night, by both the Park Rangers and what appears to be general park staff members, all looking to see if you or your family might be doing something that they might consider outside of the guidelines or not in compliance with the many restrictions. 

    This is not to say you can't possibly have a good time here. It just might mean being a bit more diligent toward reviewing the potential legitimacy of your normal camping routine to ensure it meets with many restrictions and guidelines imposed, while also making yourself comfortable with some fairly regular surveillance during your stay here. These all being things we hoped to get away from while camping ourselves It just turned out to be a bit much for our particular liking.

  • b
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Thunder Swamp Trailhead

    Gravel lot

    It’s a gravel parking lot. Plenty of shade. No one bothered me.

Guide to Stanhope

Camping near Stanhope, New Jersey, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Hickory Run State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "We took the short drive to Hawk Falls Trail and also completed the Orchard Trail Loop."
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing at Keen Lake Resort Campground. A camper shared, "Beautiful lake, great fishing. Activities all day long for the children."
  • Water Activities: Spend time at the beach area near Pickerel Point Campground. One reviewer noted, "There’s a small unguarded beach that allows swimming which was very nice."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the bathrooms and showers. A visitor at Beaver Pond Campground said, "The bathrooms with showers were just what we needed and easy to walk to."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campers mention the helpfulness of the staff. One happy camper at Camp Taylor Campground said, "The family that operates this place are the friendliest and most accommodating hosts I have encountered."
  • Privacy: Campers enjoy the spacious sites at Worthington State Forest Campground. A reviewer noted, "These two sites were next to the shower house and playground. The facilities were clean, quiet, and spacious."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially during peak seasons. A visitor at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner mentioned, "Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up."
  • Site Proximity: Campsites can be close together at some locations. A camper at Pickerel Point Campground said, "Camp sites are very close together. I could hear the neighbors' conversation."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A visitor at Round Valley State Park Campground noted, "The primitive restrooms aren’t maintained at all."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with planned activities. One parent at Camp Taylor Campground shared, "They had a Halloween haunted house set up. It was wonderful."
  • Explore Nature: Encourage kids to play outside. A camper at Keen Lake Resort Campground said, "The kids are kids!!! They play in the creek, get dirty, build fires and hike on the premises."
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on younger children near water. A visitor at Pickerel Point Campground mentioned, "The rod into the campground was full of potholes."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Clarence Fahnestock State Park advised, "Careful which site you choose."
  • Prepare for Hills: Some campgrounds have steep roads. A camper at Camp Taylor Campground noted, "Make sure if you’re towing, you have a good tow vehicle because the hills on the way there are epic."
  • Connectivity Issues: Be ready for limited cell service. A visitor at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner mentioned, "Our Verizon cell service was practically non-existent."

Camping near Stanhope, New Jersey, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any campgrounds near Stanhope?

Yes, there are several excellent campgrounds near Stanhope, NJ. Stephens State Park Campground offers a lovely woodland setting with sites suitable for tents and smaller RVs, though it does have a no-pets policy in some areas. The park is nestled along the Musconetcong River, providing fishing opportunities. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation is another nearby option in the Skylands region featuring paved, level, and spacious wooded sites with water and electric hookups, plus a convenient dump station. The area provides excellent access to hiking trails and outdoor exploration.

What camping options are available in Stanhope for weekend trips?

Weekend campers near Stanhope have diverse options to choose from. High Point State Park Campground offers beautiful lakeside sites with hiking and biking trails accessible directly from your campsite. You can swim in the lake or hike to the monument at New Jersey's highest point. For a more private experience, Stokes State Forest provides a remote feel while still being close to amenities. The forest has multiple camping areas, including Steam Mill Camping Area with 27 primitive sites ideal for tents or small trailers. For RVers, Great Divide Campground near Newton offers scenic surroundings with a small lake and wooded setting.

What camping is available near Stanhope, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, Stanhope, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 174 campgrounds and RV parks near Stanhope, NJ and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Stanhope, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Stanhope, NJ is Great Divide Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 16 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Stanhope, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Stanhope, NJ.

What parks are near Stanhope, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Stanhope, NJ that allow camping, notably Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Gateway National Recreation Area.

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