Tent camping near Succasunna, New Jersey offers a variety of terrain from the highlands region with elevations ranging from 800-1,200 feet to lower-lying areas along river valleys and reservoirs. The area typically sees moderate rainfall throughout camping season with temperatures averaging 75-85°F in summer and 55-65°F in fall. Most campgrounds are situated within a 30-minute drive radius of Succasunna, providing easy access to both wooded settings and water features.
What to do
Hiking on established trails: Round Valley State Park Campground offers access to multiple hiking paths with varying difficulty levels. "Beautiful and quaint..a nice place to get away and enjoy some nature," notes Ryan M. For those seeking more challenging terrain, "The hike up in the cushetunk mountain is really nice as well," adds James R.
Wolf preservation tours: At Camp Taylor Campground, visitors can participate in educational wildlife experiences. "There is a section of RV spots that are each cut out in the woods so very private... You can take a short hike up the mountain there to see the wolves in the sanctuary. There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance," explains Julie F. Tours to the Lakota Wolf Preserve leave the campground twice daily on weekends.
Kayaking and water sports: Multiple campgrounds offer water access for recreation. "Big campground, lots of sites, nice pool, big community hot tub, boating is great, good fishing, nice playground, basketball court and great amenities," says Richard V. about Panther Lake Camping Resort. The nearby reservoirs also provide opportunities for swimming and fishing.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation receives praise for its natural setting: "My fiancé, dog, and I have been going here for over 2 years and we love it. The campground is small but also secluded," writes Paulene-Amanda M. Many sites feature platforms for tent setup and access to hiking paths.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention well-maintained bathrooms and showers at area campgrounds. At Jenny Jump State Forest, Kelsey K. reports: "The bathroom/shower was only a few steps away which was convenient and clean." The forest offers both primitive sites and cabin rentals with varying levels of amenities.
Wildlife encounters: The natural surroundings provide opportunities to observe local fauna. "Only shortly after we settled into our tent did we hear foxes fighting right outside our tent, the snorts of deer, and there were bats right above us all night making noise!" reports Christina H. about her experience at Mountainview Campground. Others mention seeing wild turkeys, deer, and even bears at various campgrounds in the region.
What you should know
Reservation timing: For popular sites, especially during peak season, advance planning is essential. Most state park campgrounds open reservations 6-12 months ahead. "Very clean and quiet. Bathrooms were clean and other campers were quiet making for a peaceful trip," says Anna about her stay at Spruce Run Recreation Area.
Bear awareness: Several campgrounds in the area require proper food storage due to black bear activity. Kaitlyn S. mentions: "Three black bears strolled by the campsite next to ours in the early morning — gave us more of an energy boost after a sleepless night than our coffee!" While exciting to observe, campers should follow proper protocols for food storage.
Campsite selection: Research specific site characteristics before booking. At Swartswood State Park Campground, Rob M. advises: "There are about 50 camp sites but many of them, from 1 to 30ish are wide open with ZERO privacy. That said, it's great for large groups that book a few sites next to each other." Sites in the 30s and above offer more seclusion.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Great Divide Campground offers numerous family-friendly options. "Great family run campground. Owners are a blast. Most sites are level. Some areas are a little steeper then I would like to set up on, but that's me. Nice small lake with boats to use. Nice small beach. Lots of weekend activities," reports Scott N.
Quiet time awareness: Families should note that some campgrounds strictly enforce noise regulations. "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," explains Dan B. about Camp Taylor Campground.
Site spacing considerations: For families requiring multiple tents, look for larger sites. "Campsites are nice and large, can hold multiple tents. They request the purchase of another site if you have more then two tents, but then you can put all tents on one site and cook and hang out in the other," advises Karralee B.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer varying levels of service for recreational vehicles. "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 an RVer about Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain that may require additional equipment. "The spots are spacious and the sites have their own space so you can enjoy quiet at night. Each site had a water spout and electric plug in," shares Ethan K. about Great Divide Campground, though he notes some sites are on hills.
Size restrictions: Larger RVs may find limitations at certain campgrounds. Several reviewers recommend calling ahead to confirm access for larger rigs, as many of the state forest campgrounds have narrow roads or low-hanging branches that can pose challenges.
