Dog-Friendly Camping near Sussex, NJ

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    High Point State Park Campground and Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort accommodate pets throughout their facilities, with most sites providing picnic tables and fire rings for campers with dogs. Both campgrounds maintain leash requirements to ensure pet and wildlife safety. Stokes State Forest and Kittatinny Campground also welcome pets, offering full-service sites for RVs with water and electric hookups where campers can stay with their animals. Pleasant Acres features a large dog walk area where pets can exercise, though several reviewers note the walk to trash bins is inconveniently far when managing pet waste. Camping options range from tent sites along Sawmill Lake at High Point to full-hookup RV sites and pet-friendly cabins at Pleasant Acres and Kittatinny.

    Trails surrounding the campgrounds provide excellent opportunities for hiking with dogs, particularly at High Point State Park where the Appalachian Trail passes through. Many campsites at High Point offer lakeside access with spacious, private sites that provide separation from neighboring campers with pets. The large, covered patio near the lake serves as a communal area where campers and their dogs can gather. Wildlife is present throughout the area, making proper food storage essential when camping with pets. Seasonal considerations include tick activity, with multiple reviewers mentioning the importance of bringing deep woods insect repellent when camping with dogs during summer months. The wooded settings provide ample shade during hot weather, making these locations suitable for pets that need protection from direct sun.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Sussex (146)

      1. Stokes State Forest

      4.4(28)10mi from SussexRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      "Sussex county is beautiful. Stokes is such a peaceful campground! We stay in the cabins. It’s great to have the small kitchen when camping with the family. A must see campground."

      from $7 - $55 / night

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      2. High Point State Park Campground

      3.9(24)7mi from SussexRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Beautiful park with in the skylands region of New Jersey. Great campsites on a lake, with lots of hiking and biking trails right from your site."

      "There are about 40 to 50 sites around Sawmill Lake. Many of these sites , like ours, are walk in sites (about a 50 yard walk) that sit lakeside."

      from $5 - $20 / night

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      3. Kittatinny Campground

      3.0(31)12mi from Sussex7 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "A few of my friends stayed at Kittatinny Canoes River Beach Campsites recently, and while the location is fantastic for river enthusiasts, there are some areas that could use improvement. "

      "With over 160 sites spread across 18 acres, campers can choose from wooded, open field, or riverfront locations, all equipped with essential amenities like electric hookups, fresh drinking water, and picnic"

      from $75 - $400 / night

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      4. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation

      4.7(18)14mi from SussexRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      "Police patrolled, and dog friendly."

      5. Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort

      3.4(9)4mi from SussexRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "great location. great scenery. full hook ups animal petting and good fishing."

      "This is a great place to get away and bring your family and dogs. They offer several planned activities for kids and they have nice facilities like a great swimming pool and ping pong."

      6. Dingmans Campground — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

      3.7(16)14mi from SussexRVs, Tents

      "Went for a 3 day weekend with my boyfriend, dog, & cat who thinks he is a dog."

      "Easy access to Delaware River.

      • Large field for kids to run around.
      • Dogs allowed.
      • Fire pits at each site but no grates to cook on."

      7. Ocquittunk

      4.6(7)8mi from SussexRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "We stayed at site #T007 is was a short walk from the car to the site, but so worth it for many reasons."

      "The caping set up was nice and I enjoyed the proximity to available hikes in the area. The ‘lake’ however, was kind of a disappointment."

      8. Tri-State RV Park

      3.6(11)11mi from SussexRVs, Tents

      "It’s close to the highway, so there’s a lot of noise. But, the people are very friendly and helpful. It’s a wonderful place to stay when you’re going on a long trip and need a place to rest."

      "Next to grocery store. CLEAN bathrooms, showers, laundry. Super nice owners. Perfect for an overnight stop. Yes, right off the hwy and you can hear it. At the end of a road, so I felt safe."

      9. Swartswood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

      4.3(13)14mi from SussexRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      "That said, it’s great for large groups that book a few sites next to each other. There were 3 groups during our stay. Which got pretty loud if you were in sites in the 30s."

      10. Shotwell

      4.1(8)10mi from SussexRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "We bring our dog and have a great time."

      "To get there, you have to drive about 2 miles down a road away from the welcome center. This is nice because it is quiet from traffic from cars."

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Sussex, NJ

    1014 Reviews of 146 Sussex Campgrounds


    • Cynthia K.
      Aug. 30, 2024

      Great Divide Campground

      Rock'in

       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. Very scenic with a small lake, a pond & surrounded by woods. This is also the most expensive campground on our trip at $96.11 a night.

           Lots to do for families- they have kayaks for camper use. Horseshoes, tether ball, volleyball, a pool, a playground, a dog park. There's a swimming beach.

       One strange thing is there's a lot of tent sites & they seemed popular. For the amount of tent/popup sites they only have 1 shower per loop. They are very clean & checked often, but they're used heavily during the weekend. I had better luck Sunday evening. A bench outside the bathroom would have been nice to sit & wait. 

       The rv sites were all full hookup on our loop.

         We came in on a Friday & found out this campground ROCKS!!! They have live bands every Friday & Saturday night during the warm months. This might explain the higher rates. Party on!

    • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Dec. 14, 2023

      Stephens State Park Campground

      Might be hard for big rigs

      Lovely campground, but maybe not the best for big rigs. We drove through here thinking we’d stay a night, but saw the “no pets” in the list of rules and didn’t stay. Later, when I was looking at the closeup of the picture of the campground map we took, I saw that some of the sites are designated as pet sites. Would have been nice to know that. Also, no alcohol allowed here. 

      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, and there were a few sites where we could have made it work, but I can imagine a big class A or 5th wheel having a tough time. 

      Showers here are nice and free and clean, water runs continuously (no button to push), and you can adjust the temperature. There’s a playground and volleyball court. 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. 

      Didn’t see any instructions for how to pay if you don’t have a reservation. Reserved sites were marked, so maybe you just pick an empty unreserved site and a ranger will come collect the fees- but I’m just guessing. We drove through at the end of October and only saw one camper there, and another that might have been the host.

    • j
      Aug. 16, 2022

      Mountain Vista Campground

      Mt Vista Campground

      Beautiful Campground. Clean. Gravel sites. Fire ring and picnic table. All sites have ample room. Lots of pull through for bigger rigs. Wooded. Large dog park. Love the Campground except our site is near a fairly busy road which takes away from that beautiful tranquility. They have camouflaged it as best they could. Friendly staff. Lots to do. Pool, tennis. Sauna, pond for fishing ( catch & release ). Would definitely recommend.

    • E
      Jul. 5, 2023

      Mountain Vista Campground

      First Camping Trip

      This was our first camping trip with our camper. The staff are wonderful, the whole campsite is very dog friendly and even has a dog park. Lots of stuff to do for kids including a game room. Only downside is the sites are a bit small. Overall, great place to camp. Beautiful hiking trails nearby.

    • Sue B.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jan. 7, 2026

      Mohican Walk-In Campsites

      Great Spot for many Adventures!

      The Mohican Outdoor Center is just steps away from the Appalachian Trail in Southern New Jersey. No matter what your adventure needs, there are many different outing and lodging options. They even host training classes run in conjunction with the Appalachian Mountain Club. You can come for a day hike, there is a camp store with hiking and backpacking gear as well as helpful staff. In season, there is a chef on-site cooking delicious breakfasts and lunches. You can rent a campsite, share a cottage with others with all the amenities (shared kitchen, bathroom, etc) or rent a cabin. And if you want free camping, hop on the A.T., the nicest A.T. campsite in NJ is just a few miles south of the Mohican Center!

    • Jeff W.
      Oct. 29, 2018

      Mahlon Dickerson Reservation

      Quiet County Park with Large Sites

      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. Water and electric hookups and a dump station. Convenient for hiking and exploring, it's also only a 20 minute drive to a large mall in Rockaway.

    • Joey
      Aug. 31, 2018

      High Point State Park Campground

      highest park in New Jersey

      Beautiful park with in the skylands region of New Jersey. Great campsites on a lake, with lots of hiking and biking trails right from your site. Hike to the monument at the highest point in the state, or maybe along the Appalachian trail, or maybe just a swim in the lake. Either way there’s plenty to see and do at High Point State Park.

    • Allen N.
      Aug. 12, 2020

      Jellystone Park™ Gardiner

      Serious Dog Bite Incident

      Recently, we camped here for a week. We don’t ever post negative reviews like this. The last day, we experienced a violent attack by a very large and aggressive Pit Bull. The Pit Bull did not have a collar or a leash and was accidently let out of the RV to roam free and unsupervised. It immediately ran to our site(4 sites away) and attacked our dog that was tied at the time. The incident was unprovoked. While trying to save our dog, my wife and I were also attacked. The wounds were serious enough to require emergency transport to a hospital for treatment including stitches. All we could think of was what might have happened if our granddaughter had been playing with our dog. 

      To put it mildly, their existing pet policy is grossly lacking. They never checked what breed of dog or ask to see documentation of shots when we were registering. Yogi Bear Jellystone Park needs to better manage their pet policy to address aggressive dog breeds and ensure the safety of campers. We camped there for seven days and saw multiple sites have more than one large dog, which in many places we’ve camped at would have been banned due to breed type or size. We have RV’ed extensively across the US and have never seen such careless enforcement of a pet policy regarding aggressive dog breeds. Seriously, think about avoiding this park if you have pets or small children.

    • Trip Over Life
      Oct. 23, 2018

      Stokes State Forest

      Ranger Review: humangear FlexiBowl and GoBites at Steam Mill Campground

      Campground Review

      Stokes State Forest has four campgrounds. The Steam Mill Camping Area is tucked out the of the way and is the most primitive. It is the smallest of the campgrounds with 27 sites only suitable for tents or small trailers/campervans. No pets or alcohol allowed.

      The campground has a pit toilet and a well. Each large campsite has a picnic table, fire pit, and lantern hook. Some sites also have a tent platform. Many sites are a bit rocky.

      We selected 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. The rushing water will soothe you to sleep.

      Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes.

      Outdoor activities in the area abound. Go fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, kayaking, and more. There are 21 marked trails that cover over 63 miles within the boundaries of Stokes State Forest. Twelve miles are part of the Appalachian Trail. Pick up a hiking map at the park office or download the Avenza Maps app.

      This visit we hiked the Tillman Ravine trail (tip: make the trail a loop and visit both the ravine and the nearby old cemetery).

      You can also drive or hike to Sunset Mountain Scenic Overlook for a view of High Point Monument. High Point Monument is the highest elevation in New Jersey and is located in High Point State Park which borders Stokes State Forest on the north. High Point State Park also offers camping, hiking, sightseeing opportunities. And, on the western border of Stokes State Forest is the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. So, there is lots of outdoors to get out and explore!

      Product Review

      We camped at the Steam Mill Camping Area in Stokes State Forest in our campervan over a chilly autumn weekend. We had the opportunity to cook some soup on our stovetop and chill out by the campfire. And, as Rangers for The Dyrt, we get products to test from time to time so we were psyched to try out some new dinnerware and cutlery. This included the FlexiBowl and GoBites from humangear.

      What made these humangear products pretty awesome? Well, the fun colors to start. I mean, seriously, my orange bowl rules. The FlexiBowl also has some neat features: it’s flexible - just like the name suggests - and foldable. The bowl can be squished and stuffed anywhere. And, the top section can be folded down to create a smaller bowl. The FlexiBowl is versatile yet durable. It held my hearty, warm soup just perfectly.

      I paired the FlexiBowl with one of the GoBites utensils (the Uno model). The Uno model is my favorite - it has a fork on one side and a spoon on the other side. Very simple and convenient. The other GoBites models include the Duo (separate fork and spoon that can snap together) and the Trio (a fork, spoon, and knife - with bottle opener - in a case).

      PRO TIP: I keep the Trio GoBites model in my travel pack at all times. It recently came in handy on a (non-camping) trip to Sardinia. The knife on the Trio allowed me to slice some delicious local cheese to pair with bread, jam, and wine that was purchased from the grocery store. YUM.


    Guide to Sussex

    Camping options near Sussex sit within the scenic Delaware Water Gap region, where elevations range from 300 to over 1,800 feet at High Point Monument. The area features a mix of wooded ridgelines, lakes, and valleys with summer temperatures typically reaching 80-85°F. Winter camping is available at select locations though most campgrounds operate April through October.

    What to do

    Waterfall hikes: 5-minute drive from Dingmans Campground: "Waterfall in pic was a 5 min drive from the campground and then a 40 min hike. Worth it!" -Rob M.

    Kayaking access: launch points at several locations with shuttle services available. "The campground offered a service to drive us up to Milford Beach to launch our kayak. They also rented canoes or kayaks if you needed one." -Pawsfuradventure T.

    Wildlife viewing: bald eagles frequent the Delaware River. "Saw tons of bald eagles flying near the site and while paddling birds playing and baby geese with their mommas!" -Sean M.

    Winter hiking: trails remain open year-round at Stokes State Forest despite seasonal campground closures. "Sussex county is beautiful. Stokes is such a peaceful campground! We stay in the cabins. It's great to have the small kitchen when camping with the family." -Amy B.

    What campers like

    Diverse site options: waterfront spots allow camping along the Delaware. "The drive in to a mini trail was a pain to load/unload. Camping right along the lake was nice, small trail to walk around river and trails to hike into the mt." -Christine N.

    River access: swimming areas provide relief during summer heat. "The river is beautiful and was so nice to jump into! Some people even made little pools made of rocks!" -Jackie

    Secluded campsites: tree cover at Ocquittunk creates privacy between sites. "We stayed at site #T007, it was a short walk from the car to the site, but so worth it for many reasons. The site itself is huge and we were able to position our tent facing the lake, it was beautiful!" -Kara L.

    Night sky views: minimal light pollution allows for stargazing. "Once darkness falls there are no lights to be seen in either direction, up or down river... an incredible view of the night sky." -John B.

    What you should know

    Pet regulations: leash requirements vary between campgrounds with most requiring pets to be secured at all times. "There are only 4 dog friendly sites, which we need. They are 42-45. Be careful with site 44, no good place for a tent." -Rob M.

    Seasonal closures: campground availability changes throughout the year. "Open most of year. Fun if u lik3 camping." -Jennifer P.

    Trash disposal: location considerations at Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort. "One downfall is you have to drive to the trash bin it is way too far to walk." -Bill B.

    Noise levels: weekend activity increases sound at some locations. "The campground was full of mostly families. If you wanted to shower, you would have to head to the group campsite not too far but you need to drive." -Adeline M.

    Tips for camping with families

    Animal attractions: petting opportunities for children at several campgrounds. "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool." -Faith D.

    Group sites: large spaces at Namanock Island accommodate multiple tents. "The camp site is VERY spacious, we have used 5 tents at one time here, 6 or more boats, and when you add the main campfire as well as the couple minor fires through-out the camp that were burning, there was no feel of crowding at all." -John B.

    Water activities: swimming areas with designated beaches provide family entertainment. "Lots of seasonals and lots of cabins, many RV sites I think all with full hookups. Plenty to occupy the kids. Playground, hayride, animals to feed (goats, chickens, donkey and pony)." -Janelle G.

    Bug preparation: insect control essential for comfort, especially near water. "Very buggy spot, LOTS of centipedes and other creatures at night, so bring a chair instead of sitting on the bench or log." -Sean M.

    Tips from RVers

    Dump stations: locations and access important for extended stays. "Nice and easy little campground. Trash dumpster is an easy walk and the dump station has a flush hose point." -antruze

    Pad surfaces: site conditions vary across campgrounds in the region. "Large levelled spaces but a little muddy. Good for a quiet, relaxing weekend; not very close to attractions otherwise." -Erin S.

    Site layouts: navigational challenges at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation require planning. "When you leave you have to drive the wrong way in the campground because of the low hanging trees the correct direction." -Bill B.

    Hook-up availability: water access conditions. "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." -antruze

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Sussex, NJ?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Sussex, NJ is Stokes State Forest with a 4.4-star rating from 28 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Sussex, NJ?

    TheDyrt.com has all 146 dog-friendly camping locations near Sussex, NJ, with real photos and reviews from campers.