Round Valley State Park Campground offers boat-in and hike-in camping at sites around its 2,350-acre reservoir. The wilderness campsites require a 3-6 mile trek or boat access, providing true seclusion in northwestern New Jersey. During summer months, temperatures average 75-85°F, with cooler evenings that drop into the 60s—ideal for those seeking a primitive camping experience near Three Bridges, NJ.
What to do
Kayaking the reservoir: At Round Valley State Park Campground, visitors can paddle across crystal-clear waters to access remote campsites. "I love pretty much everything about this place. Let's just start your can either boat in or hike in. The hike is a 3 mile minimum 6 max. The view was KILLER," writes James R.
Fishing opportunities: Fish for trout at the reservoir, which reaches depths of 180 feet. "We paddled in, the water is very clean and crystal clear," notes Riley K., highlighting the pristine conditions that support healthy fish populations.
Explore mountain trails: The Cushetunk Mountain trail system offers moderate to challenging hiking options with elevation gains of 300-500 feet. "The hike up in the cushetunk mountain is really nice as well. If you're looking for a getaway without doing backcountry planning this is the place," according to a visitor's review.
Visit historical sites: Take a day trip to Washington Crossing State Park to explore Revolutionary War history, just 30 minutes south of Three Bridges. "There are farms and animals to see, hikes along the Delaware river, Bowman's tower with a great view of the surrounding area and much more," mentions Olivia M.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Mountainview Campground offers secluded tent and RV sites surrounded by thick forest. "Our site was fully private (could not see or hear neighbors). Beautifully secluded and quiet. Pretty rare for campgrounds in NJ," explains Christina H.
Waterfront camping: Many campers appreciate the riverside locations at Camp Carr Campground. "All the sites are along the river so the view and peaceful sound of the river are wonderful," says a long-time visitor Melissa N.
Animal encounters: Some glamping options near Three Bridges feature farm animals on the property. "Cute sheep and goats that wander about during the day! Sweet little spot, we'll definitely be back!" reports Jami from Mountainview Campground.
Well-maintained facilities: Cleanliness is frequently mentioned in reviews. "The showers were free and clean with hot water and decent pressure. The landing for the camper was even with gravel and the rest of the site was mostly even," notes Sarah about her glamping experience at Mountainview.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most glamping sites require advance booking, especially during peak season (May-September). Some locations like Spruce Run Recreation Area have waterfront sites that book quickly. "My campsite was 34W, right next the reservoir. Nice location however the website said it was full shade. The picnic table was in shade. The spot for the RV was full sun," warns Frank J.
Bathroom conditions vary: Facilities range from well-maintained to basic. "Bathrooms were clean and other campers were quiet making for a peaceful trip," reports Anna at Spruce Run. However, another camper noted: "The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting. I thought with COVID they were cleaning them more, but for the entire weekend, someone's #2 remained all over the toilet, floor, and corner wall."
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience road noise, particularly at night. "The only con to this campground is it's proximity to the highway. You can hear 78, especially at night once the campground settles down," mentions Jules T.
Terrain challenges: Several glamping options near Three Bridges have rocky or uneven terrain. "The ground is moderately rocky, so there may be some slight troubles getting tent stakes in the ground," notes one Mountainview camper.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with amenities: Colonial Woods Family Resort offers family-friendly glamping with swimming and activities. "The pooL and splash pool for toddlers was clean with a lifeguard on duty at all times. They had a playground, lake where you could fish, cornhole, and minigolf," shares Nicole S.
Look for scheduled events: Many glamping sites organize special weekend activities. "We went on Halloween weekend and they had so much for the kids to do! Friendly staff and clean sites!" exclaims Shannon C. about Ringing Rocks Family Campground.
Consider proximity to attractions: Some glamping locations provide easy access to family-friendly destinations. "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," writes Jessica V. about her experience at Tohickon Family Campground.
Pack for varied weather: Even in summer, temperatures can fluctuate 20-30 degrees between day and night. Bring layers for glamping near Three Bridges, where mountain elevation can cause unexpected temperature drops.
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: Many glamping areas have narrow access roads. "The drive to our site had some inclines and was relatively rocky and some vehicles would surely struggle," notes a reviewer about Mountainview Campground.
Hookup availability: Tohickon Valley County Park and other sites have limited or no hookups. "No electrical and no pets allowed in camp sites. But plenty of trees and huge fire rings in each spot. An RV would have a tough time but for car camping it's great," advises Maureen F.
Dump station logistics: Colonial Woods has specific timing considerations. "Dump station location isn't ideal on a busy morning. I heard they might work on a second dump location and was told to ask if it's ok to stick around until it dies down if our site isn't needed soon," suggests Nathan R.
Site selection strategy: Careful research prevents issues with shade and space. "If bringing your RV, the safest bet is to reserve a spot with no shade as the other spots often times have very low hanging tree limbs," advises a camper at Spruce Run Recreation Area.
