Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River, NY is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your New York camping adventure.
"The security is great and patrol to make sure quiet hours are quiet to be courtiers to other campers that want quiet time. The bath houses are constantly being cleaned and restocked."
"That said we had plenty of space, it was just very close to the next site. We were on the far side of the lake which is not really within walking distance of the beach, pool and store."
"The bathrooms and showers, every time we went in , were spotless. The staff was incredible. So friendly And helpful. The sites are great."
"Enjoyed walking the trails and wooded area but sprained my right ankle. So I was laid up for a few hours before I left."
"Clean bathrooms and showers. People working there were more then helpful. Guided us to our site. Helped us set up. All and all a very pleasant stay."
"Bathrooms are clean, campground could use a little more attention to cleanliness but overall not bad. Great access to the beaverkill. It’s perfect for a quick getaway."
"Great spots to setup your own tent as well as cabins and trailers."
"Very clean sites and bathrooms. Quiet and peaceful at night and the other campers were very friendly. There is not one negative thing I can say. Would definitely visit again."
$75 - $400 / night
"The staff was friendly and accommodating, and the camp store was well-stocked with essentials."
"Rafting and hiking is always a great time, and you can have a good campfire with music and a few beers and nobody is going to bother you."
"As close to nature as possible with modern conveniences still nearby. Terri and her gang do a great job of running her Dad's adventure."
"Our site was massive (39) and and direct access to Russell Brook. Couldn’t keep my son out of the water. Very peaceful. Felt like we had the place to ourselves. Very clean."
$170 - $250 / night
"Traveling 10-15 miles a day, we ended our second day of paddling at Slumberland on the Rivers Edge."
"Our recent camping trip to Slumberland at the River’s Edge was truly remarkable. Despite the rainy weather, we had an amazing time."
"The site itself isn't bad, a lot of woods to tuck into if you camp rite."
"Such wonderful rustic sites that are absolutely secluded!! Love it and just wish it was open all year round!"
ScoutThis was a great campsite nestled in the foothills of Northern NJ on the NY border. Small, clean with great views and great location for hiking , cruising etc. Bring your tent or use the existing glamping tents. Headed back for a fall weekend in the "dome" which has incredible views. Try it you won't be sorry.
ScoutMe and two friends do a yearly kayak trip down the Delaware river and have progressively moved north each year. This year, MDW of 2023, we were traveling between Narrowsburg, NY and Port Jervis, NY. Traveling 10-15 miles a day, we ended our second day of paddling at Slumberland on the Rivers Edge. The host put out a orange cone that made finding our campsite easy and a nice beach made unloading and loading kayaks pretty easy. The accommodations were top notch, with lights already on, and a table set, along with a grill, fire pit, and covered porch and canvas tent that housed two queen sized beds along with an electric stove and a woodstove. We were able to relax on the adirondack chairs on the deck as the sun went down and our fire (wood provided by host) and the porch lights remained glowing. It was nice change from camping in our tents and sleeping pads as we are used to along the river, as the beds were very comfortable, and the heater and canvas tent kept us warm during 40 degree temperatures at night. It was quiet and peaceful and you had your own space far from the other sites at slumberland (unlike many other campgrounds along the river). We all enjoyed our stay and had a great time and I would highly recommend to any kayak campers along the river looking for more than just a patch of grass to set up a tent on.
LegendWe arrived here early afternoon, which ended up being perfect timing as we could set up everything and catch sunset by the fire. The place is pretty easy to access with paved road the whole way there except for the last 1/2 mile where it is very bumpy. Some might say 4*4 but we made it just fine in our little Camry. There are two campsites located right outside of the park where you can park your car next to your tent but we opted to hike in. The first spot is less than 1/2 mile down the path, with the next three in the next mile. The campsites are very spacious with lots of room between you and other campers, and have a fire pit and some have picnic tables. We had a stellar time just hiking down the path and relaxing by the water. There’s no noise at night apart from the running water of the stream and we had a very peaceful weekend. We’re most definitely returning!
GuideStayed 2 nights and it was really nice. Camping for summer is pretty limited to Sawmill Lake, as the other locations are for groups or winter camping. Camps are secluded from each other and most if not all have an elevated space to put tents or chairs. Each place comes with a lamp hang, a fire pit, and a picnic table. Bathrooms are spaced out. No running water except for pump founded outside of the bathrooms. Toilets are pump flushed. Showers are only located INSIDE High Point State Park, not throughout the campsites, but entry is free for campers. One hiking trail is accessible in Sawmill campground, 3 others are accessible on the road outside of the campground and the rest are located inside the park. When you arrive you have to check in with the park office for your campsite tag. Hours are 8-4. Park officials come through the campsites pretty regularly, a few times a day which is nice. Areas are clean and well maintained.
RangerCampground 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.
RangerThe lake is gorgeous and there are nice hiking trails, but sites are very small and close together. Let’s are allowed in less than half of the campground, which means all the dogs are in a smaller area and barking at each other more than other places. The no-pet area was practically empty when we were there midweek but the pets-allowed area was much more crowded than we would have liked.
Also rules and signage are wildly confusing, lots of things contradict each other. Cell service exists but not great for remote work.
ScoutNice, family friendly campground with 3 levels to camp at. Top level has a pool, showers and bathrooms with laundry area and game room. Middle level has open field with bathrooms with sinks and running water. There is water and electric on the sites at the middle level. River level has more primitive bathrooms and some bathrooms with running water. You can camp right next to the river and it has a great view.
RangerMy first trip to this campground was September 2020. We wanted to get out of the house, but stay clear of other campers during the pandemic. This campsite, CS52, was in the woods and we were able to get the illusion of privacy by parking the cars along the road as a makeshift wall and pitching our tents beside them, facing inward. The other 3/4 of the campsite was bound by trees and shrubs which was nice and why we chose the spot. Other sites are more open and only the darkness of night will give you privacy. Each campsite has a firepit/ring, picnic table, and lantern hook.
We hung out at the campsite mostly, using the fire pit, playing frisbee, and relaxing in our hammocks. When we did roam a bit, there was a nice lake, with seating every so often and a boat dock ramp thing in the campground. There was also a playground, beach, pavilion, and picnic tables, but we did not use any of that.
Campsite sells fire wood. Clean bathrooms with flush toilets and showers, masks required for the pandemic.
ScoutTent cabins
Frequently Asked Questions
What activities can I enjoy while glamping along the Upper Delaware River?
The Upper Delaware River offers abundant outdoor recreation options. Kayaking and paddling are popular activities, with many glampers enjoying multi-day river trips. At Oakland Valley Campground, you can access different river levels for water activities ranging from calm floating to more exciting rapids. Hiking is excellent throughout the region, with trails at High Point State Park Campground offering beautiful vistas. Other activities include fishing, wildlife viewing, stargazing, swimming, and photography. Many visitors enjoy simply relaxing by the campfire while taking in the scenic views. In fall, the area transforms with spectacular foliage, making it ideal for scenic drives along the river corridor.
What glamping options are available near the Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River?
The Upper Delaware region offers diverse glamping experiences. Moon Valley Campground provides existing glamping tents and a special "dome" accommodation with incredible views, perfect for those seeking unique stays. Slumberland at the River's Edge is ideal for river adventurers, offering comfortable accommodations right along the water. Jerry's Three River Campground features tent cabins for a comfortable yet rustic experience. For those seeking more secluded options, Hidden Brook Glamping offers walk-in sites with toilet facilities. Most glamping locations require advance reservations, especially during peak season.
When is the best time of year for glamping at Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River?
Late spring through early fall offers the best glamping conditions in the Upper Delaware region. Summer (June-August) provides warm days perfect for river activities and swimming, though this is also the busiest season. At Alder Lake, early afternoon arrivals allow time to set up and enjoy sunset by the campfire. Fall (September-October) brings spectacular foliage and cooler temperatures, making it ideal for hiking and photography at Stokes State Forest. Many glampers consider September the sweet spot—fewer crowds, pleasant temperatures, and reduced insect activity. Spring (late April-May) offers flowing waterfalls and emerging wildlife but can bring variable weather and higher water levels. Winter glamping is limited, with many facilities closed seasonally.
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