The best camping in Stokes State Forest, NJ

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97% (16)

Discover Stokes State Forest: A Haven for Outdoor Enthusiasts.  

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Stay at a public campground in Stokes State Forest

Top-rated campgrounds

Camp David- 13 acres, Three Cabins

100%
(45)
8mi from Stokes State Forest · 5 sites · Lodging · Newton, NJ
Nestled outside the village of Stillwater, NJ right across the Appalachian trail and the Kittatinny Mountain Ridge, Camp David sports three luxurious log cabins: > Bell's Cabin- Main cabin that sleeps up to six > The Chatham House- Sleeps up to ten > Chief's Cottage- sleeps up to ten All cabins have their own separate listing and can be booked together or combined. The main cabin, Belle's Cabin, is made from hand hewed logs and is the only cabin furnished with a king size bed. All cabins come equipped with full bathrooms, updated kitchens, wood stoves, and the main cabin has a walkout porch on the second floor. All cabins have climate controlled heating/cooling units as well as hot water. Camp David was originally a German hunting camp at the turn of the 20th century. It was later donated to the Boy Scouts in the 1940’s. By the 2000’s, it was left abandoned at which time I purchased it and began to restore it back to its true form while maintaining the cabin life integrity. I am a contractor and arborist by trade and the last ten years I have worked hard to bring the site back to life. The camp consists of 13 acres abutted by 100's of acres of state park land. There are two stocked ponds connected by a cascading stream, multiple fire pits with seating, furnished gazebo with wood stove, picnic tables, and multiple park benches located throughout the property. Below are close locations to visit: > Walpack Fish and Wildlife Management Area- Great for sightseeing, hiking, biking, fishing, hunting > Walpack Inn- Beautiful restaurant with an entire back wall, window view overseeing Kittatinny Valley > Appalachian Trail- hiking, sightseeing > Catfish Fire Tower- Great hiking and views > Buttermilk Falls- beautiful waterfalls > Long Pine Pond & Crater Lake- Both are spring fed and great for swimming and boating (clear water) > Swartswood Lake- Swimming & boating > Delaware River- Great for swimming, boating, tubing, canoeing, fishing > Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area- More sightseeing, hiking, fishing, swimming, Bushkill Falls > Dingmans Ferry
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$235
 / night

Ugly Apple Farms

98%
(266)
16mi from Stokes State Forest · 12 sites · Tents · Port Jervis, NY
Ugly Apple Farms was started by my Wife and to try to bring fresh organic/permaculture food to our community. We love to play music and get together with our friends and have been hosting people for some time. We thought that hipcamp could introduce people to our mission and make some extra money to get the farm off the ground. Ugly Apple Farms is a diverse place. We have opportunities for farm classes, pick your own veggies and more. We also have 1800 feet of access to the Neversink River. We recommend four wheel drive for some of our sites so please ask about them. We are an off grid farm with access to some solar for charging. We have tent sites and room for campers. Our camping is primitive but there is access to potable water and sanitation if needed. All extras are first come first serve if not reserved in advance. We love and welcome any questions! Thanks for looking!! Randall and Melissa
Potable water
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$20
 / night

Moon Valley Campground

92%
(12)
18mi from Stokes State Forest · 5 sites · Tents, Lodging · Vernon, NJ
Located 50 miles from midtown Manhattan (approx 1:08 minutes) is our brand new campsite located right off the Appalachian Trail. The camp is at the base of Wawayanda mountain right between the iconic hikes "Stairway to Heaven" and "Pochuck Boardwalk" on the Appalachian Trail. Hike right from camp up to "Pinwheel Vista" (named one of NJ's best viewpoints!) At the entrance to the property is the Valley Farmers Cooperative that sells local grass fed meats and artisanal farm goods. You can walk two minutes to Heaven Hill Farm which has plenty of goods, produce, and fun fall activities like pumpkin picking and haunted hayrides. Drive your car from route 94 directly to your campsite nestled in the woods with a great view of the valley. A perfect getaway from the city with plenty to offer. About 10 minutes down 94 is the beautiful town of Warwick or about 4 minutes in the opposite direction is the town of Vernon. Warwick is a quaint small town with plenty of great restaurants and bars, and famous for its apple picking. Vernon has plenty to offer as well including the popular ski resort/waterpark Mountain Creek and Minerals Spa (Located just under 10 minutes away.) The quiet charm of Wawayanda State Park appeals to hikers, campers, swimmers and boaters. Forested hills surround Lake Wawayanda creating a restful backdrop for canoeists and fisherman, while steep mountains challenge casual as well as serious hikers. A twenty-mile stretch of Appalachian Trail runs through the park, while the top of Wawayanda Mountain offers sensational views. More than sixty miles of trails are marked in the park.
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$40
 / night

The River's Edge

98%
(345)
18mi from Stokes State Forest · 9 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Pocono Woodland Lakes, PA
All lodging sites have heating for your comfort and are available year round! The River's Edge campsites sit on the shoreline of the Delaware River at the western edge of New York State overlooking the mountains of Pennsylvania. Our canvas tents and open air platforms perch between the river and the former Delaware & Hudson Canal which was once was used to transport raw goods by barge to New York City via the 'port' of Port Jervis. The remnants of the canal walls are throughout the property including a 300 person theater which we created to both preserve and feature this industrial history. It also makes a great place for an event or a movie night. Today, the original canal towpath, along which barges would be pulled and floated downstream, is a trail that links all of the campsites over 5 acres and at the furthest end an eel fishing camp that is in operation from June to October (say 'hi' to Jim). In the early 1900s, the train replaced the canal as the primary method of moving goods into New York and if you are lucky — you will hear the train rumble by along the river on the Pennsylvania side. There is something spectacular in the absolute still and grandness of the river, the mountains and the ongoing industrial history of the valley. It is a reminder of the way things used to be. The farmhouse and cabins are located opposite the campsites on other side of route 97. Next to them are 50 acres of wild forest to hike and explore. These accommodations are great for guests who want more amenities but still with easy access to river. Pair campsites and cabins so that all your guests have their best experience. Contact us to coordinate for larger group bookings.
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$160
 / night

The Record Room

99%
(74)
18mi from Stokes State Forest · 1 site · Lodging · Glen Spey, NY
Due to the colder weather, and lack of sunlight, we will be shutting down for the season. Welcome to The Record Room! Our property has a vast collection of vintage, classic, and current vinyl albums that play solely from solar power. Its audio system delivers sound on the inside and out for a campfire mood that can't be beaten. The Monguap River is close enough to be seen and heard from the cabin, but the adventure of getting there is half the fun! The Delaware River is only 2 miles from our location, and River rafting is a big business around here. A small artesian-fed creek runs right next to the cabin. It lends to the relaxing sounds of water with many quaint spots for you to dip your toes into, paired with a wood-fired tub that feeds off of the stream, which can only be explained by experience (weather-dependent). Our hot tub also pairs beautifully with our newest addition to the cabin, our sauna! Perfect for a cold plunge afterwards (more information in the add-on description)! A queen temper-pedic bed and super comfy overstuffed futon will assure a good night's slumber. The Record Room's covered outdoor kitchen is designed to extend the awesome vibes into every meal.. (I.E., Flat top grill, single burner, and stainless grate grill all powered by propane, cast iron frying pans, and utensils). Our outhouse is designed and maintained by the women of the family, and great pride is taken in making it a favorable experience. A small wood stove heats the Record Room on chilly mornings and nights. If you're looking for the fine line between camping and glamping, this is your place! We recommend having some prior camping expertise, and we must mention that there is no WiFi/ service. We have a few spots available for your friend circle to pitch a tent and enjoy the experience with you! A basic convenience store can be located three miles to the right of our property with all your basic needs (including gas). For your grocery shopping, a small family-owned market can be found within 10 minutes up the road. If you're looking for activities, there are plenty of rafting/canoeing/kayaking companies for your enjoyment. We also recommend downloading a trail-finding app, as there are an abundance of them all within 5 minutes! Looking forward to seeing you soon!
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$151
 / night

Paradise Valley Homestead

99%
(1688)
18mi from Stokes State Forest · 12 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Oak Ridge, NJ
Always working on improvements! My second glamping site "The Medieval Encampment", is available for booking starting April 1st of 2025. I will have more pictures soon. In April of 2024, my long awaited 1st Glamping site was available for booking. It's been very popular! Please read the description carefully of the "Gypsy Rose Vardo", to see if it's the right fit for you. I also have 10 large camping sites available on our 33 acre property located in Northwest NJ. Sites 1 through 4 are on mowed, fairly level fields and are large enough for campers or RV's up to 30ft, or a couple of tents, and sites 5 and 6 are further back in the woods, available only for a few small tents, sites 7 through 10 are much further into the property and are only accessible with a high clearance AWD or 4WD SUV or you can park and hike your gear in. There are 3 compost toilet outhouses spread out through the property, so it's an easy walking distance from any site. Although we are only 2 1/2 miles from a main highway, the last 2 miles are on a dirt road with no houses. We are surrounded by protected land, so no neighbors and lots of wildlife, including the occasional bear, coyote or raccoon. Keep all food items secured. Because we are surrounded by protected land we are not sprayed for insects, so be safe and do tick checks often and bring the bug spray. We are 45 minutes from NYC or the Delaware Water Gap and an hour away from the NJ shore. There are horse farms nearby that offer trail rides. We are also close to the Highland and Appalachian Hiking trails. There are two reservoirs within a 20-minute drive for canoeing or kayaking. There are walking trails through our property, including a ten-minute hike on a marked trail to a small waterfall in a ravine.
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$41
 / night

Clearing Farm

99%
(213)
19mi from Stokes State Forest · 2 sites · Lodging · Glen Spey, NY
Welcome to Clearing Farm! Our grounds expand over 100 acres with many private hiking trails, a big field and cascading waterfalls. Visit our Instagram @clearingfarm to find out more. Please note while our cabin is a premium experience on a working farm, it is still an outdoor experience that takes place deep in the woods, off the grid and in a cabin built from earthy or recycled materials. It is a far cry from a typical hotel or traditional glamping. This Clearing Farm off-grid cabin is located on our 100+ acre farm. You'll be staying right next to a waterfall and able to enjoy all our land features. Experience a private campsite equipped with a Casper Full Mattress, fire pit and charcoal grill. Please note there is 1 bed at the property but room next to the cabin to bring and put up additional tents. There is no power at the campsite. THERE IS NO LONGER THE WOOD BURNING STOVE IN THE CABIN - THE TOWN MADE US TAKE IT OUT. There is also no shower. If you would like to bathe in the streams please use all natural soap as the animals drink from it. The Thermal Spring is under repair and will not be back open until 2026.
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$145
 / night

Twin Oaks

99%
(119)
19mi from Stokes State Forest · 2 sites · Tents · Columbia, NJ
This campsite provides a great location to use as a base for day hikes. The tent site is situated beneath a canopy of two large Red Oak trees. This property was formerly a farm and has since grown back to a pioneer Hardwood Forest. There are stone rows throughout the farm and some areas that have been cleared of invasive vegetation and planted with native grasses to enhance the deer population. We suggest day hikes such as Catfish Fire Tower, Van Campen's Glen, and Buttermilk Falls. Here's a list of our recommendations for hiking, fishing, and just plain old exploring: The Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area (DWG) and nearby Walpack Fish and Wildlife Management Area in Layton have many hiking trails (See the National Park Service's website). Great areas for sightseeing, hiking, biking, fishing, hunting. Buttermilk Falls, (trailhead on) Mountain Road in Layton. Hike to the top of the beautiful waterfalls near Walpack and take a 6.8 mile loop trail to Crater Lake. Walpack Inn, National Park Service Rd 615, Layton. A beautiful restaurant with an entire back wall of windows with a view of the Kittatinny Valley. The Walpack is open on weekends for dinner only. Appalachian Trail (AT). Check out the AMC Mohican Outdoor Center located along the trail in Blairstown. The AT runs through the DWG. \ Long Pine Pond amp; Crater Lake in Walpack. Both are spring fed and great for swimming and boating (clear water). Van Campen's Glen, Old Mine Road, Hardwick. The 2.1 mile loop trail features several cascades and waterfalls, a narrow stone valley, and a lush hemlock ravine. Catfish Fire Tower, Millbrook Road, Hardwick. A rocky 2.0 or longer 4.4 mile hike to the top of the ridge. Great views on NJ and PA. Also check out "Hiking Our Preserves" on the Ridge and Valley Conservancy's website for information on 4 local hiking trails. Delaware River- Great for swimming, boating, tubing, canoeing, fishing. Keep your eye out for Bald Eagles! White Lake - 97 Stillwater Rd. Hardwick, NJ 07825. The Paulinskill (Blairstown) and FlatBrook (Old Mine Road, Hardwick) rivers are local spots for trout fishing. On Saturdays during the summer, you may want to try out the Blairstown Farmers Market on Stillwater Road. Hours 9:30 to 1:00 pm.
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$50
 / night

The best camping in Stokes State Forest, NJ guide

Overview

About

The crest of Sunrise Mountain in Stokes State Forest offers a breathtaking view of pastoral farmlands and thick forests from the Appalachian Trail, which runs through New Jersey’s Kittatinny Range. Although this is a beautiful (and quite popular) spot, you don’t have to be a hiker to enjoy Stokes State Forest. You’ll also find a tumbling waterfall, a deep, dark ravine that will embrace you with cool forest vibes, and a perfect swimming lake for hot afternoons. Photographers, take note, this is the spot for that award-winning nature shot. New Jersey is full of surprises!

Notable campgrounds

  • Shotwell Campground: Nestled amid towering pines, Shotwell offers a serene escape.
  • Steam Mill Camping Area: A rustic retreat for those seeking tranquility and nature's charm.
  • Haskins Group Camp: Perfect for larger gatherings, Haskins provides ample space and scenic views.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Book early to secure your spot, as campsites fill up quickly during peak seasons.
  • Consider mid-week stays for better availability and a quieter experience.
  • Keep an eye on cancellations for last-minute opportunities.
  • Explore nearby camping options to increase your chances of finding a site.

When to go

The best time to visit Stokes State Forest is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is vibrant. Summer offers lush greenery but can be crowded. Winters are quiet but can be quite cold, so prepare accordingly.

Know before you go

  • Check the forest's website for any trail closures or safety alerts before your visit.
  • Ensure you have a valid fishing license if you plan to fish in the park's waters.
  • Accessibility may vary across areas, so inquire ahead if you have specific needs.
  • Remember to pack out your trash and respect the natural environment.
  • Facilities such as restrooms and picnic areas are available, but it's wise to bring essentials.
97%
16 ratings · 6 reviews