Leo C.
Scout
ScoutWinding Hills Park
Nice but dated
Nice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
Camping near Middletown, NJ
155 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Located within the New Jersey Highlands region, campgrounds near Middletown offer a mixture of public and private facilities primarily concentrated in forested areas to the west and northwest. Established options like Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provide spacious, wooded RV and tent sites with electric and water hookups, while several state parks including Stokes State Forest and Jenny Jump State Forest feature cabin accommodations alongside traditional camping areas. Most developed campgrounds in the region offer a combination of tent platforms, RV hookups, and cabin rentals, with glamping options emerging at private facilities like Panther Lake Camping Resort and Great Divide Campground.
Access to camping areas varies seasonally, with most state park campgrounds operating from April through October. Many facilities, including Swartswood State Park and Round Valley Recreation Area, close for winter but maintain year-round day-use trails and facilities. Reservation requirements are common across nearly all developed campgrounds in the region, with booking windows typically opening 6-12 months in advance for peak summer weekends. Roads to most camping areas are paved and accessible to standard vehicles, though some backcountry sites at Round Valley may require hiking or boat access. A camper 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."
Forested campsites receive consistently positive reviews, with visitors particularly appreciating the spaciousness and privacy at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation. According to one review, "Even packed you have space and privacy. The views are amazing. Plenty of trails, plenty to do near by." Water access represents another highly valued feature, with lakefront camping available at several locations including Panther Lake and Swartswood State Park. Bear encounters remain a concern in northern New Jersey camping areas, with multiple campgrounds posting warnings and requiring proper food storage. Family-friendly amenities like showers, flush toilets, and hiking trails are standard at most developed campgrounds, though some primitive areas like certain sections of Round Valley Recreation Area offer more rustic experiences with minimal facilities.
Best Campgrounds near Middletown (155)
1. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
"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."
2. Panther Lake Camping Resort
"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."
3. Great Divide Campground
"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 $$"
4. Stokes State Forest
"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 Availability5. Swartswood State Park Campground
"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."
6. Jenny Jump State Forest
"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."
7. Stephens State Park Campground
"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. "
"Just 1.5 hours outside of NYC, site was a bit close to the neighbors (fire pit was very far back and basically in the neighbors’ campsite, but we put up a “privacy clothesline” and hung a tarp over it"
8. Worthington State Forest Campground — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
"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."
9. Round Valley State Park Campground
"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."
10. Kittatinny Valley State Park Campground
"Site A is the best for seclusion and a spot closer to the lake (also amazing sunsets)"
Drive Time
- 40 min from New York, NY
- 43 min from Kiryas Joel, NY
- 1 hr 12 min from Trenton, NJ
- 1 hr 13 min from Allentown, PA
Recent Camping Photos near Middletown, NJ
479 Photos of 155 Middletown Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
Kittatinny Valley State Park Campground
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Recent Reviews near Middletown, NJ
929 Reviews of 155 Middletown Campgrounds
Thomas B.
RangerNeversink River Resort
Cool Riverside Campground
I'll start by saying this is a site-specific review (C20). I booked using Campspot and didn't select my own site but put in the criteria for my rig (30ft TT plus truck) and got a 50A back-in spot. The site was big but abnormal. Between the picnic table placement and the trees, I ended up right around 50ft from the electric and water, and the water spigot was so low I could barely put on my camco filter. With the uneven dirt roads, I had to unhitch with my truck in a gigantic puddle (lol). The site was otherwise fine aside from my gate code not working on Day 2. As for the campground as a whole, I thought it was pretty unique place by the river that offered several good amenities and activities, like downstream river tubing, an arcade, bathroom/shower facilities, a small store, little trails, and more. I would say this place borders the more primitive side.
Edwin R.ScoutCheesequake State Park Campground
Park uses county cops to shut down park by 9pm.
On Friday, September 4, 2026, I rented a trailer and brought my family to Cheesequake State Park to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary over the extended Labor Day weekend. Around 9:20 PM—well before the park's designated 10:00 PM quiet hours—we were sitting inside our canopy, playing Jenga, and listening to low background music. Two officers from the Matawan Police Department approached our campsite. They were polite and courteous, simply offering a standard reminder to wrap things up by 10:00 PM. Before they could leave, however, a third, senior officer intervened. Wanting to"show them how it's done," he made the two polite officers return and stand by to watch as he demonstrated how to aggressively harass campers. Flashlight in hand, the senior officer approached with an immediate hostile attitude, treating us like criminals as he demanded to know who rented the site. He began reiterating rules and claimed we had too many vehicles. We had three cars, one belonging to my brother-in-law's girlfriend, who was visiting with her daughter. She had paid the$10 visitor fee at the main office and was instructed by staff to obtain the gate access code from us, the primary renters, if she got locked in. No staff member ever informed her of an 8:00 PM visitor departure deadline, leading us to reasonably assume visitors were permitted until quiet hours began at 10:00 PM. The officer rudely snapped that she had been given wrong information. The senior officer then used profanity in front of three small children, aggressively telling her to ("get her shit and get the fuck out!") in that manner or use profanity, the officer went from hostile to furious. He angrily declared that these were official violations and threatened that he could be issuing us tickets instead. Desperately searching for anything and everything to throw at us, he demanded that we turn off our idling car—which was supplying power to our campsite—and instructed us to make sure the campfire was doused before shutting down for the night. He then proceeded to shine his flashlight into our private setup—including our canopy, tents, and the inside of our trailer—searching for any other possible violation while the two polite officers were forced to watch. What was supposed to be a special 10th wedding anniversary celebration with my family was completely ruined by a senior officer misusing his authority to put on an unnecessary display of intimidation. Worse than just ruining our night, he spent that evening teaching those two police officers how to be bad cops. He corrupted two officers in real time, demonstrating firsthand exactly why most people have lost faith in the police force. The next day we was ready for them. We turned off our lights and quietly by the fire while they went next door to harass an asian family that had just set up camp and had their leds lights on.
- eedgar V.Scout
Black Bear RV Park
Super clean and quiet
Past reviews has mentioned that the office seems to be closed often, while I found that to be true I had no reason to contact anyone. This is definitely one of the cleanest quiets site I’ve ever visited
- KKelly B.
GuideStephens State Park Campground
Great last min getaway
Booked the day before—even on the holiday weekend! Just 1.5 hours outside of NYC, site was a bit close to the neighbors (fire pit was very far back and basically in the neighbors’ campsite, but we put up a “privacy clothesline” and hung a tarp over it for a bit of extra coverage.
The staff was friendly and helpful, they said it was the busiest they’ve seen the campground all year (there were lots of large groups but everyone seemed to settle down by 9:30pm
Poison ivy was EVERYWHERE at our site so make sure to stick to the open areas and the paths. Lots of families around, we felt very safe Bathrooms were fine—it was my impression they’re usually cleaner but the high traffic of the weekend left a bit to be desired, (lots of families around=dirty diapers in the bathroom trash bin) but it’s camping! I’m not gonna argue w a flushing toilet!
- KKevin F.
TravelerTri-State RV Park
A place to stay in an area lacking campgrounds.
This area seems to be devoid of campgrounds except for this one. It’s basically just a large parking lot with hook ups. Completely open, which is great for Starlink. Bathrooms were slightly above average; fairly clean and places to hang clothes for your shower. Has a laundry but be sure to bring quarters. It is about 100 yards from the interstate so you’ll get a lot of noise and diesel exhaust fumes.
- Sue B.Ranger
Delaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA
Great off season camping
We camped here in our pop up for our Anniversary in November. We were impressed with the cleanliness and available amenities for the time of year we were camping in! Close proximity to DWG and PA AND NJ attractions.
- Sue B.Ranger
Pickerel Point Campground — Promised Land State Park
Great cabins!
We booked a cabin at the last minute and were pleasantly surprised that the cabin had heat and electricity! It was very close to the awesome heated bathroom also! We were also able to catch a beautiful sunset! Great camp all around!
- JJayTraveler
Delaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA
Large sites & friendly staff!
Another great experience. Sites were large. Staff was friendly with many different things for kids to do. Great base camp for local hikes.
Guide to Middletown
Camping near Middletown, New Jersey offers diverse options within the Kittatinny Mountains, where elevations reach up to 1,800 feet. The region experiences all four seasons distinctly, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and campsites typically situated on rocky or wooded terrain. Most campgrounds in this area remain open from April through October, with a few maintaining limited winter operations.
What to do
Hiking on the Appalachian Trail: Access points to the famous trail are available near Stokes State Forest, which features 21 marked trails covering over 63 miles. "Twelve miles are part of the Appalachian Trail. Pick up a hiking map at the park office or download the Avenza Maps app," notes one visitor who hiked the Tillman Ravine trail.
Paddling on clear waters: Round Valley State Park offers pristine water recreation on its 2,350-acre reservoir. "The water is crystal clear, the area is clean. There's bathrooms and pumps but we just filtered the water from the reservoir instead which tasted a million times better than the well water," shares a camper who enjoyed kayaking here.
Wildlife viewing: Several parks in the region provide opportunities to observe local fauna. Near Worthington State Forest, one camper mentioned, "This was a very pleasant stay with beautiful views and privacy. We especially enjoied seeing the wolves-- it was really neat and definetly a draw to the area (you can hike from the campsite to the preserve)."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many visitors appreciate the thoughtful campsite layouts at Jenny Jump State Forest, where "the camp sites are nicely laid out to ensure privacy. This park is high up on a mountain and affords lovely views." Another camper noted, "Primitive, has bathrooms and water spigots. Good hammocking trees and wasn't crowded at all. Plenty of privacy from other sites."
Water access: Multiple campgrounds offer direct access to lakes and rivers. At Stephens State Park, one visitor shared, "The river is just a small walk down the hill (you can stairs or a path which was nice). They stock the water with trout and there was an officer checking for fishing permits. You can hear the babbling of the river when it's quiet at camp."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained amenities. At Swartswood State Park, "Clean bathrooms with flush toilets and showers, masks required for the pandemic still." Another review noted, "They have a water fill station near the campsites that is shared between all the campers."
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: Black bears are active throughout the region. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, visitors are warned about bears: "There are a lot of bear warnings here so that gave us a bit of pause with our three little boys." Proper food storage is mandatory at all parks.
Reservation windows: Most campgrounds open reservations 6-12 months in advance, with peak summer weekends booking quickly. Many parks like Jenny Jump State Forest and Swartswood State Park operate seasonally from April 1 to October 31.
Limited amenities at primitive sites: Some campgrounds offer more rustic experiences. At Round Valley, "There is a pump for potable water and vault/pit toilets. Trails are well-kept. Definitely a great place to start with getting into backpacking and enjoying nature."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Worthington State Forest, one family mentioned, "These two sites were next to the shower house and playground. The facilities were clean, stocked, and warm."
Swimming options: Many parks have designated swimming areas. At Panther Lake, "The lake and pool were a big plus, especially for hot days. While I did not take advantage, you are allowed to rent boats and take them out on the lake."
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer nature programs or historic sites. One visitor to Stephens State Park noted, "There is a lot of hiking, mountain biking and fishing there. Great for a weekend get away," providing multiple activities to keep children engaged.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. At Great Divide Campground, one RVer mentioned, "This was our second visit to the campground and the first weekend they opened to RVs after Covid. No amenities were open but we had a great time fishing in the lake. Spots are spacious and campers were spread out throughout the large campground."
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary by park. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, "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."
Dump station quality: Proper waste disposal facilities are important for RVers. One visitor noted that Mahlon Dickerson has a "dump station has a flush hose point. Nice and easy little campground," making it convenient for RV campers to maintain their vehicles during longer stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find campgrounds near Middletown, NJ?
Where can I find campgrounds near Middletown, NJ?
Several quality campgrounds are within reach of Middletown. Stephens State Park Campground offers a lovely setting, though it may not accommodate larger RVs and has some pet restrictions in certain areas. High Point State Park Campground is another excellent option in the Skylands region, featuring beautiful lakeside campsites with direct access to hiking and biking trails. From here, you can hike to the monument at New Jersey's highest point or explore sections of the Appalachian Trail. Both parks provide a perfect balance of natural seclusion while remaining accessible to Middletown.
Are there affordable camping options in Middletown?
Are there affordable camping options in Middletown?
Yes, affordable camping options exist near Middletown. Stokes State Forest offers economical camping with multiple campgrounds to choose from. The Steam Mill Camping Area is particularly budget-friendly with 27 primitive sites suitable for tents or small trailers. For those willing to venture a bit farther for value, Sandyston Boat In Campsites in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides an affordable adventure with six maintained sites. While these require boat access, they offer excellent value for budget-conscious campers seeking a more rustic experience. Both locations provide basic amenities while keeping costs low.
What is the closest campground to Middletown?
What is the closest campground to Middletown?
The closest campground to Middletown is Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, located in the Skylands region of New Jersey. This campground offers paved, mostly level sites in wooded surroundings. The sites are spacious and include water and electric hookups, with a dump station available. It's conveniently positioned for hiking and exploring the area, making it perfect for stays ranging from a few nights to several weeks. The reservation provides easy access to trails directly from your campsite, allowing you to quickly immerse yourself in nature.
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