West Milford, New Jersey sits within the Highlands region at elevations ranging from 700 to over 1,300 feet, creating distinct microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the year. The area receives approximately 50 inches of annual precipitation, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 60-85°F. Fall camping offers colorful foliage displays while spring brings wildflowers along with occasional overnight frosts even into May.
What to do
Hiking to scenic overlooks: Stokes State Forest connects to over 63 miles of marked trails including 12 miles of the Appalachian Trail. "I took one afternoon to visit the High Point Monument, which was lovely," notes one camper at High Point State Park Campground, while another suggests "make the trail a loop and visit both the ravine and the nearby old cemetery" when hiking the Tillman Ravine trail.
Kayaking on multiple lakes: The region offers several water bodies for paddling, with some campgrounds providing equipment. At Swartswood State Park Campground, visitors note "The lake is great to kayak and fish" and "you can rent kayaks and SUP at the main office."
Wildlife viewing: The forests around West Milford host diverse wildlife. A Swartswood camper reports an exciting encounter: "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!"
What campers like
Secluded campsites: For those seeking privacy beyond the glamping in West Milford, New Jersey options, several campgrounds offer secluded sites. At Great Divide Campground, "The sites are spaced well and have a nice bonus of large fire rings set back in the woods a bit from the pad that you park on." A visitor to Panther Lake noted, "We were able to get a secluded spot in the woods which was great!"
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the well-maintained bathrooms at Stokes State Forest, noting "Clean bathrooms with flush toilets and showers" and that "bathroom and shower area was very clean." One reviewer specifically mentioned "single stall and very clean" facilities.
Winter options: Unlike many seasonal operations, some properties remain open year-round. A winter visitor to Stokes State Forest described their experience: "Rented a cabin in November (#009) and again in December (#008) of 2021. I favored Cabin 8, the kitchen and bathroom were separated from the main room...The cabins are reasonably priced and well-appointed, if a bit rustic."
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: The West Milford region is active black bear territory. "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided," warns a reviewer at Stokes State Forest. Another campground provides "bear proof bin for garbage."
Site selection considerations: Not all sites offer the same level of privacy or terrain. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, a camper recommends "site 7. It is on a hill so have a hand truck or a few people to carry stuff. Trust me it is worth it and I think it's the best tent site they have."
Seasonal crowding: Visitor experiences vary widely depending on timing. At Swartswood State Park, a camper noted: "We went out of season so there were no lifeguards, or anything 'open' at the pavilion... this would not be a place for us during the summer when I imagine it gets quite packed."
Tips for camping with families
Campgrounds with playgrounds: Several parks offer dedicated children's play areas. At Panther Lake Camping Resort, visitors mention "nice playground, basketball court and great amenities" and appreciate that there are "lots of activities to keep kids busy."
Fishing opportunities: Many local lakes provide fishing access for all ages. "We spent one afternoon relaxing and burning stuff. The lake was beautiful in the morning with mist or steam," reports a camper at High Point State Park. Another visitor to Great Divide noted kids "had lots of fun on the free kayaks."
Organized activities: Some campgrounds schedule regular events for younger guests. Great Divide Campground "had scheduled activities for kids" and "weekend activities," while Panther Lake offers "ceramic class" which was "fun for the girls."
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, RVers report "campsites are paved and mostly level" and that it's "easy to navigate our 38 ft. RV. Easy to dump and fill." Another camper appreciated that "the dump station has a flush hose point."
Hookup locations: Some campgrounds have unusual hookup placements. One Mahlon Dickerson visitor noted, "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."
Winter heating solutions: For cool-weather RV camping or glamping near West Milford, New Jersey, cabin users at Stokes State Forest advise: "You need that wood stove to heat up the cabin. Turning on the oven is a help, but not a good solution. The wood stove definitely heats the room up nicely. I went through two bundles of wood in one night."
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