Leo C.
Scout
ScoutWinding Hills Park
Nice but dated
Nice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
Camping near Stanhope, NJ
181 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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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.
Best Campgrounds near Stanhope (181)
1. Great Divide Campground
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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."
from $7 - $55 / night
Check Availability8. Camp Taylor Campground
"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)."
from $33 - $42 / night
Check Availability9. Stephens State Park Campground
"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. "
"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"
10. Round Valley State Park Campground
"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."
Drive Time
- 50 min from New York, NY
- 53 min from Kiryas Joel, NY
- 1 hr 3 min from Allentown, PA
- 1 hr 13 min from Trenton, NJ
Recent Camping Photos near Stanhope, NJ
533 Photos of 181 Stanhope Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Stephens State Park Campgroundj
Great Divide Campground
Kittatinny Valley State Park Campground
Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
Jenny Jump State Forest
Swartswood State Park Campground
Wooded Campground
Camp Mohican Outdoor Center — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Driftstone Campground
Kymers Camping Resort
Stokes State ForestD
Harmony Ridge Farm & Campgrounds
Recent Reviews near Stanhope, NJ
1024 Reviews of 181 Stanhope Campgrounds
Thomas B.
RangerNeversink River Resort
Cool Riverside Campground
I'll start by saying this is a site-specific review (C20). I booked using Campspot and didn't select my own site but put in the criteria for my rig (30ft TT plus truck) and got a 50A back-in spot. The site was big but abnormal. Between the picnic table placement and the trees, I ended up right around 50ft from the electric and water, and the water spigot was so low I could barely put on my camco filter. With the uneven dirt roads, I had to unhitch with my truck in a gigantic puddle (lol). The site was otherwise fine aside from my gate code not working on Day 2. As for the campground as a whole, I thought it was pretty unique place by the river that offered several good amenities and activities, like downstream river tubing, an arcade, bathroom/shower facilities, a small store, little trails, and more. I would say this place borders the more primitive side.
Edwin R.ScoutCheesequake State Park Campground
Park uses county cops to shut down park by 9pm.
On 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.
- eedgar V.Scout
Black Bear RV Park
Super clean and quiet
Past reviews has mentioned that the office seems to be closed often, while I found that to be true I had no reason to contact anyone. This is definitely one of the cleanest quiets site I’ve ever visited
- Thomas B.Ranger
Tohickon Family Campground
Simple, peaceful FHU
We 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.
- KKelly B.
GuideStephens State Park Campground
Great last min getaway
Booked 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!
- KKevin F.
TravelerTri-State RV Park
A place to stay in an area lacking campgrounds.
This area seems to be devoid of campgrounds except for this one. It’s basically just a large parking lot with hook ups. Completely open, which is great for Starlink. Bathrooms were slightly above average; fairly clean and places to hang clothes for your shower. Has a laundry but be sure to bring quarters. It is about 100 yards from the interstate so you’ll get a lot of noise and diesel exhaust fumes.
Sue B.RangerDelaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA
Great off season camping
We 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.
- Sue B.Ranger
Pickerel Point Campground — Promised Land State Park
Great cabins!
We booked a cabin at the last minute and were pleasantly surprised that the cabin had heat and electricity! It was very close to the awesome heated bathroom also! We were also able to catch a beautiful sunset! Great camp all around!
Guide to Stanhope
The diverse terrain surrounding Stanhope, New Jersey provides camping experiences ranging from rustic tent sites to full-amenity RV accommodations. The region sits within the New Jersey Highlands, with elevations between 700-1,500 feet creating cooler microclimates than nearby urban areas. Most campgrounds in the area experience a 15-20°F temperature drop at night compared to daytime highs, even during summer months.
What to do
Hiking on the Appalachian Trail: Access points near Camp Taylor Campground connect directly to miles of trails. "There are miles of hiking trails and direct access to the Appalachian Tr. The Lakota Wolf Preserve is located on the camp and offers discounted tours for campers," notes Jean T.
Waterfront activities: The Delaware River and area lakes offer swimming, fishing, and paddling opportunities. At Panther Lake Camping Resort, "The lake and pool were a big plus, especially for hot days. While I did not take advantage, you are allowed to rent boats and take them out on the lake," explains Ethan K.
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse wildlife, including black bears, deer, and wolves. "The wolf preserve at the same location was just amazing - we learned so much and could hear the wolves howl from the campsite," shares Dina S. about Camp Taylor Campground.
Mountain biking: Trail networks throughout the region accommodate riders of various skill levels. Stephens State Park offers "a lot of hiking, mountain biking and fishing there. Great for a weekend get away," according to Barbara S.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many campgrounds offer secluded spots with natural screening. At Jenny Jump State Forest, "The space was reasonably priced, but we did have to pay an extra $5/day for our dog. However, we didn't mind as it was so private we felt like we had the entire Park to ourselves," writes Kelsey K.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds consistently maintain their amenities. "The bathrooms and showers were clean. The sink for dishes was clean and well maintained. The other campers were all very nice and it was pretty quiet," notes Barbara S. about Stephens State Park.
Accessibility to conveniences: Despite feeling remote, most campgrounds provide easy access to supplies. "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." explains one reviewer about Stokes State Forest.
Fishing opportunities: Trout and other species populate area lakes and streams. "Our campsite was located along the Delaware river with a short walk down to be able to launch our canoe and kayak. With the exception of a few noisy campers up from us it was an enjoyable time," shares Mitchell E. about Worthington State Forest.
What you should know
Bear activity is common: Proper food storage is essential at all campgrounds in the region. "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes," warns Trip Over Life about Stokes State Forest.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between locations. At Great Divide Campground, one camper noted, "Love the place! People were nice. Bathrooms were clean. Only issue is the internet is terrible u have to be near the wifi zones," according to Umar A.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "We chose site T219. 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," shares Trip Over Life about Steam Mill Camping Area in Stokes State Forest.
Terrain challenges: Some sites feature significant slopes or rocky ground. "The campgrounds were very big and spread out and each campsite gets their own space with decent privacy. The grounds were fairly large and each campsite gets their own space with decent privacy," explains Ethan K. about Panther Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer structured programs for children. At Great Divide Campground, "Nice small beach. Lots of weekend activities. Will be back in the future," shares Scott N.
Playground access: Many campgrounds include play areas. "This campground is lovely. Very wooded. Some sites are more private than others but all have a wooded and private feel. It's GREAT For kids. A nice playground with tons of kids running all over," remarks Kathy G. about Camp Taylor Campground.
Swimming options: Lake and pool facilities provide cooling opportunities during summer. "We went on 4th of July weekend so the place was packed. We were able to get a secluded spot in the woods which was great! 2 teenage girls had a blast in the lake and riding their bikes around," notes Jojo P. about Panther Lake Camping Resort.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds enforce quiet hours more strictly than others. At Camp Taylor, "Unlike many other campgrounds we've been to, they are very good about actually enforcing the quiet hours at night, so you can have an actual peaceful and quiet night around the campfire," Dan B. explains.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many campsites require significant leveling. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, "Very clean and quiet. 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," notes antruze.
Water and electric access: Hookup availability varies between campgrounds. "Easy to navigate our 38 ft. RV. Easy to dump and fill. Peaceful. Close to train to N.Y. City," shares Nancymike K. about Mahlon Dickerson.
Size restrictions: Some campgrounds cannot accommodate larger RVs. "Lovely campground, but maybe not the best for big rigs. The campground as a whole and the individual sites are kind of tricky for bigger rigs. We are in a 26ft class c and we squeezed through," explains Laura M. about Stephens State Park.
Weather preparedness: Temperature fluctuations require planning. "There is a section of RV spots that are each cut out in the woods so very private. Once you have backed into the spot and leveled out it's a good time," Julie F. shares about Camp Taylor Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any campgrounds near Stanhope?
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?
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?
What camping is available near Stanhope, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Stanhope, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 181 campgrounds and RV parks near Stanhope, NJ and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Stanhope, NJ?
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?
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?
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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