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The New Jersey Skylands region surrounding Wharton features several established campgrounds within a 30-minute drive, including Mahlon Dickerson Reservation and Stephens State Park. These areas provide a mix of camping experiences from tent-only sites to full-hookup RV accommodations, with some locations offering cabin rentals. Most developed campgrounds in the region are situated near lakes or along the Delaware River, providing water recreation opportunities. The forested terrain creates secluded camping environments despite proximity to urban areas, with many sites nestled within hardwood forests characteristic of northern New Jersey.
Access to campgrounds varies seasonally, with most state park facilities operating from April through October. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers paved, mostly level campsites with water and electric hookups, while more primitive options exist at Round Valley Recreation Area. One visitor noted that "Mahlon Dickerson Campground 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." Many campgrounds require advance reservations, especially during summer weekends when facilities reach capacity quickly. Cell phone coverage can be spotty in more remote areas, particularly in the valleys between ridges. Visitors should be prepared for encounters with wildlife including deer and black bears, with proper food storage being essential at all campgrounds.
Campers consistently highlight the surprising natural beauty found so close to densely populated areas. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides boat-in camping opportunities along the river, with several visitors mentioning the privacy and serenity of these sites. A reviewer described Namanock Island as offering "a feeling I have never experienced anywhere else. The campsites on this island are always very clean, if not pristine." Tent campers should note that some private campgrounds primarily cater to RVs, with tent sites sometimes located in less desirable areas. State park campgrounds generally offer more balanced accommodations for both tent and RV camping, though amenities like showers and flush toilets vary significantly between locations. Proximity to hiking trails, particularly sections of the Appalachian Trail, represents another frequently mentioned advantage of camping in this region.
"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."
"It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities."
"Panther lake was a pretty good campground with lots of spots to camp at. Our campsite had a picnic bench and a fire ring. They offer both RV and primitive camping."
"The Lake is the gem of the campground with a really nice beach, good for fishing and kayaking. The negatives were the bathrooms. They are very primitive and quite dirty."
"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."
"All the positive reviews about this place are accurate! Beautiful, clean, well maintained, lots to do, great value for your $$"
"The bathroom/shower was only a few steps away which was convenient and clean."
"All the sites are set up nearby the office where people are all day should you ever need anything. The workers are super friendly and regularly make rounds of the grounds."
"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."
"The campsites are slightly separated from the lake (maybe 8 min walk to lake) but that also means you aren’t bothered by day guests. The lake is beautiful! Great for swimming and fishing."
"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."
"We stayed at the campsite at Lake Ocquittunk Area. Campsite was very spacious and had a platform where we were able to fit two tents. There was plenty of space on the site for more tents."
from $7 - $55 / night
Check Availability"The crystal-clear water is home to huge lake trout and the forests are bursting with wildlife. The sunsets across the lake are to die for."
"Once you get to the campground trail it’s pretty easy going on asphalt surface."
"Full bathrooms are located behind campsite #15 (clean flushing bathrooms, with motion-sensed lighting, showers, dishwashing sink), but easily accessible from campsites nearby."
"Bathrooms with flush toilets are conveniently located centrally every so often."
"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. "
"Was a bit hard to locate the office to check in but finally found it. The camp site was spacious. The bathrooms were struggling with the plumbing but were fairly clean."
"Site A is the best for seclusion and a spot closer to the lake (also amazing sunsets)"
ScoutStayed for a quick weekday overnight at a primitive site—fine spot overall. Pros: Restrooms and showers clean and in working order. Pet-friendly. Nice surroundings (though nothing extraordinary). Easy access with a sedan. Cons: most sites are very close to one another with little privacy. Fair amount of road noise. Quiet hours didn’t seem to be enforced—some folks playing music until midnight.
TravelerWe were looking for a lakeside campground with a spacious campsite that could comfortably fit two large tents and two vehicles. We chose Tobyhanna State Park, and it turned out to be absolutely wonderful.
We stayed at Site 113, which had plenty of space on the right side of the campsite for two large tents, with enough room to park two vehicles as well. While the campsites are fairly close to one another, most visitors come here to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet, and everyone seemed very respectful of each other’s privacy.
Just a one-minute walk from our campsite, there was a very clean restroom, hot showers, and a laundry facility. Right next to it, there was a volleyball court, as well as easy access to the lake with a boat launch and great spots for fishing.
On our very first day, the park rangers warned us that bears sometimes visit the campground, so they recommended storing all food in the car overnight. We followed their advice and had no issues.
Overall, I would give Tobyhanna State Park a perfect 10 out of 10. We had an amazing experience and will definitely be coming back!
Scouti stumbled on this searching for something almost immediately off the interstate, but with little-to-no booking available for a reasonable price elsewhere local. we detoured about 25 minutes to get here, and it is just incredible. the scenery is gorgeous, they have a camp store with oodles of stuff, there’s a huge playground, and the camping areas are dispersed well and offer beautiful scenic privacy. i wish i could make this place my home. amenities are well taken care of, they have showers in the bathroom, as well as an on-site laundry facility. they have complimentary wifi, which i appreciate with AT&T. signal is slim to none without it. overall, 5/5 stars from my family.
ScoutThe main issue with the sites was that they were primitive -- no water. The campsites were basically just wooden platforms, with a picnic table and fire pit. There were also a lot of bugs, though this may be due to the rain. The location itself was fairly pretty and there were a number of hiking trails of not-overly-serious difficulty. The particular site we picked left is a little farther from our car than we would have liked, but for other sites you can bring your car closer.
GuideWe had a great campsite 038, mainly because we booked the site right next to the restroom and hoped no one would reserve the one closest to it, which ended up being the case. The neighboring campsite on the other side also became vacant, so we had plenty of privacy. Otherwise, the sites would have felt a bit cramped. The beach is about a 5-minute walk through the woods. I highly recommend taking a walk there after dark to look at the stars. It’s absolutely worth it. Shower location only near the beach and be ready to pay for it with quarters The restroom is very close from our site and clean, but it’s surrounded by trees, so it’s well hidden and never felt like a disturbance. Our site was much more secluded than most of the others. I would also recommend site 032, as it seemed even more private. Verizon barely had any service, except early in the morning and late in the evening. T-Mobile worked much better. Overall, it’s a nice campground with a beautiful lake. We really enjoyed spending time kayaking, and if you don’t have your own kayak, you can rent one there
TravelerThe campground was closed in 2024 for renovations. It is now open. I did a tour of the campgrounds but did not stay there. FYI, generators are NOT allowed at all at this campground. I did not see electric or water hookups. There are three loops. Each has it pros/cons. Sites 30-33 are near the bathroom facilities, sites 34-50 are more secluded, sites 52-65 are closer to the lake.
GuideThe park was open but camping was not. After a little extra digging they do have a few sites, but hike in only.
TravelerWe’re here for the Rock, Ribs, and Ridges festival and what a great experience! Make sure to bring a 50’ power cord as the hook ups are grouped together on telephone poles rather than at each individual site. As far as I know camping is only available during select events.
TravelerThe foliage and trees helps it feel private although there’s someone on both sides and across from you, luckily we were alone for the weekend bc it wasn’t fully booked. Bathrooms and showers were very clean and had potable. Each campground has lake access but it’s very critter heavy so I recommend the main fishing dock area. Caught a bullhead catfish around 11 pm 8 in. Recommend small rods under 6 ft. Staff was very friendly and super easy to extend our stay another day. $50 2 nights out of state res.
Camping options near Wharton, New Jersey span across the Kittatinny Mountains with elevations reaching 1,500 feet in some areas. The region experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months, while spring and fall bring cooler temperatures around 50-70°F. The Musconetcong River runs through parts of this area, creating opportunities for water-based activities at several campgrounds.
Fishing opportunities: The Musconetcong River at Stephens State Park Campground offers excellent trout fishing just steps from campsites. "Great fishing hiking and campsites," reports Scott K., who appreciated the proximity to stocked waters. Another visitor noted, "They stock the water with trout and there was an officer checking for fishing permits."
Hiking diverse trails: At Jenny Jump State Forest, campers can access multiple trail systems directly from their sites. "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," says Kelsey K., adding "We felt like we had the entire Park to ourselves." The forest offers trails with varying difficulty levels, including connections to longer regional routes.
Water recreation: Access the Delaware River from Worthington State Forest Campground, where many sites have direct river access. "Our campsite was located along the Delaware river with a short walk down to be able to launch our canoe and kayak," notes Mitchell E. The river's relatively warm temperature makes swimming pleasant during summer months, with water temperatures typically reaching the mid-70s.
Private, spacious sites: Campers consistently mention the generous site spacing at Round Valley State Park Campground. "This is a great campground that is super private and quiet - great for getting out to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature," explains Agbi B. The wilderness camping areas require effort to reach but reward visitors with solitude. "It's a pretty strenuous hike, but you'll be rewarded for the effort!"
Clean facilities: Kittatinny Valley State Park maintains well-kept restrooms and common areas. One camper remarked, "The facilities were very nice and clean," and another mentioned, "The staff were extremely accommodating when one of our sites was flooded due to the previous days rain and moved us without any hesitation."
Abundant wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings offer prime wildlife watching opportunities. "You'll see deer and rabbits it's really spacious and beautiful," notes Bee L. about Kittatinny Valley. At Worthington, some campers even reported bear sightings, requiring proper food storage techniques. The diverse ecosystem supports various bird species, including hawks and eagles along river corridors.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly between Memorial Day and Labor Day, especially on weekends. Sites at Swartswood State Park Campground can be reserved up to 11 months in advance. "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," advises Rob M., highlighting the importance of researching specific sites.
Noise considerations: Proximity to roads affects some campgrounds. At Stephens State Park, a visitor observed, "Walking the trails are beautiful however you can clearly hear the highways, planes flying to the nearby airport and oh yes the train." Jenny Jump campers mentioned similar issues: "My only complaint is that the noise from the highway was quite loud at night."
Variable cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds and even between campsites. Valleys between ridges often have minimal coverage, while higher elevation campsites might have moderate reception. At Great Divide Campground, one visitor noted "You can't hook up to [wifi] unless you are at the pavilion. And good luck getting cell service! its like a black hole of signals there."
Playground access: Great Divide Campground offers facilities specifically designed for children. "Lots of weekend activities" are available according to Scott N., who added that the owners are "a blast." Another visitor mentioned, "Staff were friendly and helpful. Campgrounds have lots of hills so be prepared to hike up and down."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas ideal for families with children. "The pool was packed so didn't spend time there but the ceramic class was fun for the girls," reports Jojo P. about activities at Great Divide. Swartswood State Park offers a dedicated beach area with designated swimming zones separate from boating areas.
Educational opportunities: The region provides learning experiences through nature programs and historic sites. "There is a wolf reserve" near Worthington State Forest, notes Molly G., adding, "it was really neat and definitely a draw to the area (you can hike from the campsite to the preserve)." The Appalachian Trail Environmental Education Center, located within driving distance, offers weekend programs during summer months.
Site selection considerations: At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, RVers recommend checking site details carefully. "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," explains one camper. The reservation offers paved, mostly level sites suitable for various RV sizes.
Limited hookup options: Most state park campgrounds offer basic amenities but limited hookups. "No full hooks...but everything is welcome," notes Michele T. about Swartswood State Park. Many campgrounds have water fill stations and dump stations but lack full hookup sites at individual campsites.
Access challenges: The mountainous terrain creates narrow, winding roads at some campgrounds. At Worthington, campers advised, "Careful on the roads to the campsite, they're a bit on the bumpy side. Defo smaller roads than your usual ones. We have a minivan so we had to take our time on all the pot holes." Calling ahead for specific route recommendations can help avoid difficult approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Wharton, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Wharton, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 165 campgrounds and RV parks near Wharton, NJ and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Wharton, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Wharton, NJ is Mahlon Dickerson Reservation with a 4.6-star rating from 19 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Wharton, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Wharton, NJ.
What parks are near Wharton, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Wharton, NJ that allow camping, notably Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Gateway National Recreation Area.
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