You’re in luck if you’re looking to plan a family camping trip near Bridgewater. Without driving too far, you can access a wide range of camping opportunities, so you can put together your family’s dream trip. Camping lets kids spend time in nature, exercise, and learn basic survival skills, all while bonding as a family. No matter the level of camping you need, you’ll find a great spot close to home. The team at Crème de la Crème of Bridgewater put together this list of nearby camping spots to get you started.

Round Valley Recreation Area

You’ll find plenty of reasons to have Round Valley Recreation Area on your list of nearby camping spots to explore. The Round Valley Reservoir features brisk, blue waters and gorgeous shores, bringing in plenty of people interested in swimming, boating, fishing, or simply picnicking. In the winter months, Round Valley attracts cross-country skiers and sledders to enjoy the opportunities for outdoor fun. Fun fact: The reservoir, which covers a whopping 2,000 acres and is about 180 feet deep, is New Jersey’s deepest lake. It’s stocked with lake trout, too.

The deep lake is not Round Valley’s only claim to fame, though. Round Valley is actually one of the few parks in the area to offer wilderness camping. You’ll find 77 family wilderness campsites at the reservoir’s eastern edge, with each site accommodating up to six people. You can only access these campsites by hiking or boating. A steep, rugged trail leads campers from a parking lot 3 miles away from the nearest site to the area.

Spruce Run Recreation Area

Look no further than Spruce Run Recreation Area if you’re on the hunt for a local camping destination that has something for everyone. Hunterdon County’s rolling hills surround Spruce Run Recreation Area, making it a picturesque place that offers tons of options to enjoy your family time outdoors. Spruce Run is actually the state’s third largest reservoir, which spans 1,290 acres and offers 15 miles of shoreline perfect for all sorts of recreational activities. Whether you want to make picnicking, swimming, fishing, or boating part of your camping time, Spruce Run Recreation Area has you covered.

The campground here is designed for family camping. You won’t find group campsites at Spruce Run, with a limit of six people per campsite. What you will find? Campsites that are all equipped with picnic tables, fire rings with attached grills, and parking spots for two vehicles, not to mention modern restrooms with showers on both sides of the campground. You can even buy firewood at the park office. So, if you want a place that takes the guesswork out of planning your camping trip, you’ll want to check out Spruce Run Recreation Area.

Stephens State Park

You can’t go wrong with a visit to Stephens State Park for a family camping trip. That’s especially true if you want to make fishing a part of your itinerary. This park boasts the Musconetcong River, a great freshwater fishing spot. The river flows over and around boulders throughout the park, making for a scenic and exciting place to cast a line. You’ll also find 6 miles of marked trails ideal for walking and hiking as well as horseback riding or mountain biking, so you’ll never run out of activities to keep the whole family engaged during your camping trip.

Stephens State Park boasts 39 tent and small trailer sites. The sites have fire rings and picnic tables, while you can find flush toilets and showers within walking distance of the campsites. In fact, this park offers a great place for a scenic picnic thanks to the Musconetcong River. There are picnic sites available along the river and at an upper picnic area, which also features playground equipment and an open play field.

Washington Crossing State Park

You won’t want to miss Washington Crossing State Park when it’s time for a camping excursion with a historical flair. Your kiddos will delight in seeing the place where General George Washington made his historic crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Night in?1776. This pivotal event of the American Revolution took place when the Continental Army crossed the icy and rough Delaware River, landing at Johnson’s Ferry. The park was originally preserved because of this, but today, it’s also popular thanks to its wildlife habitat and trails.

Plan a camping trip at one of the four group campsites found in the Phillips Farm area of the park, then have fun exploring the flora and fauna with your family. The park provides an ideal backdrop for bird (and other wildlife) watching at any time of year. Notable wildlife species that call this park home include Eastern bluebirds, foxes, great-horned owls, raccoons, red-tailed hawks, screech owls, and whitetail deer. You can also explore the assortment of plants, such as red cedar forests, wildflowers, and more.

Wharton State Forest

If your family is into primitive camping, you’ll want to check out Wharton State Forest for your next outdoor adventure. The largest single tract of land in New Jersey’s State Park System, Wharton State Forest boasts a range of activities for your family to enjoy. It’s the site of Batsto Village, a former bog iron and glass making industrial center you can explore. It’s also home to a unique natural ecosystem, New Jersey’s Pinelands, making it an ideal spot for everything from fishing, canoeing, and kayaking to hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

You’ll find a variety of campsites here, including tent and trailer sites, cabins, and even pet-friendly sites, so you can be sure your family will have a great time at Wharton State Forest. As for primitive campsites, this state forest has you covered. Some of the sites have hand pumps for water and pit toilets, while others have no water. Still others can only be accessed by horseback, canoeing, or hiking. In other words, no matter the experience you’re after, you’ll find it for your family at Wharton State Forest.

That wraps up Crème de la Crème of Bridgewater’s list of some of our favorite camping spots close to Bridgewater. Do you have a go-to spot your family loves that we didn’t include? Drop us a line and let us know some more local camping spots.