Round Valley State Park provides tent-only wilderness camping in a heavily forested setting near Stockton, New Jersey. Campsites are accessible either by hiking challenging trails 3-6 miles from the trailhead or by boating across the 2,350-acre reservoir. Visitors camping at nearby parks must contend with seasonal fluctuations in water levels on the reservoir, which can impact water quality and accessibility depending on rainfall patterns.
What to do
Fishing in crystal waters: Round Valley Reservoir offers excellent fishing opportunities with clear waters. According to one camper at Round Valley State Park Campground, "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."
Historical exploration: Visit Washington Crossing State Park to experience Revolutionary War history. A visitor notes, "Every year, they re-enact Washington's troops crossing the Delaware! It was VERY cold the year I went. To warm up, there is a small visitor's center where they have a reproduction of the famous painting commemorating the moment."
Hiking varied terrain: The Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park offers multiple hiking trails with varying difficulty levels. A reviewer mentions, "Campground is as basic as they get. Sites are close to each other with absolutely no privacy. Bathrooms however are nice and clean with plenty of them around the park."
What campers like
Rustic isolation: The wilderness camping at Round Valley attracts those seeking genuine solitude. One camper shares, "This is a great campground that is super private and quiet - great for getting out to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. It's a pretty strenuous hike, but you'll be rewarded for the effort!"
Water access: Many campers appreciate the direct access to water at Jenny Jump State Forest. A visitor noted, "My husband and I Tent camped in #34 with our dog. 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."
Off-grid experience: The best tent camping near Stockton provides a true wilderness experience despite being close to populated areas. According to a camper at Round Valley, "Even though I live 10 minutes away I like to camp here because you still feel a little isolated. With no roads to the campgrounds it takes some effort to get there and it's a beautiful place."
What you should know
Hiking difficulty: The trails to reach Round Valley camping areas present significant challenges. One camper warns, "The hike is a minimum 3 miles to get to unless you take a boat across. Beautiful peaceful and primitive. The reservoir can turn into the Bermuda Triangle at any moment-- be careful."
Limited facilities: Fort Washington State Park Campground offers basic amenities that require proper planning. A camper reports, "There's at least two fire pits per camp ground. There's only group camping. The give you firewood—-if you bring your own, leave with any left over."
Water filtration needs: While water pumps exist at Round Valley, many campers prefer filtering reservoir water. A visitor explains, "The water is crystal clear and 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."
Tips for camping with families
Choose accessible sites: For families with children, Tip Tam Camping Resort offers amenities that appeal to younger campers. One visitor notes, "The place was fun.. they have peddle cars and playgrounds. They deliver wood to your site by the truck full! Nice little store and staff are all friendly."
Plan for early mornings: At many campgrounds near Stockton, activity starts early. A camper at Tip Tam warns, "The only downside I saw was people here are up way to early. 7am place was already loud. 7:45am a propane truck pulled in the full the propane and was extremely loud. 8am people with leaf blowers and chopping wood. Don't expect to sleep past 7:30am."
Consider shelter camping: Some state parks offer cabins or shelters as alternatives to tent camping. A family at Jenny Jump State Forest shares, "This is the first time we decided to forgo tent camping and reserve a shelter at a state park. We had a much better experience than we were expecting! The 'shelter' is what we would describe as a 'cabin'; four walls, a roof, locking door, locking windows, large picture frame front window, four beds."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Most wilderness camping near Stockton doesn't accommodate RVs. For those requiring RV access, Evansburg State Park Campground provides alternatives. A visitor mentions, "This hidden gem of a campground is beautiful. there is plenty of hiking trails. only downside is having to haul gear by foot to the campsite. some are further than others."
Pack minimally: For tent camping experiences that require hiking or boating in, pack strategically. An experienced camper at Round Valley advises, "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."
Prepare for varied terrain: RVers converting to tent camping should prepare for challenging terrain. A visitor notes, "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."
