Princeton NJ Family Feature Articles

Campgrounds in New Jersey

Camp Speers-Eljabar YMCA Family Camp
RR1, Dingmans Ferry, 877-SPEERSY, 570-828-2329. Canoeing, sailing, swimming, horseback riding, and hiking in the Pocono Mountains for multi-generational campers available Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends and for a week during the summer.

Delaware River Family Campground 
P.O. Box 142, 100 Rt. 46, Delaware, 908-475-4517, 800-543-0271. E-mail: drfc@njcamping.com. Open April 1 Oct. 31. Located in Warren County near the Delaware Water Gap offering trailer and cabin rentals and trailer and tent campsites. Raft, canoe, kayak and tube trips.

Fairview Lake YMCA Family Camp
1035 Fairview Lake Rd., Newton, 973-383-9282. Open to organizations and families during the spring, fall and winter seasons, facilities include modern, winterized cabins with meals in the dining hall or rustic Adirondack shelters with firepits for cooking and campfires (spring and fall only). Seasonal activities include canoeing/boating, archery, swimming, fishing, orienteering and arts and crafts.

Frost Valley YMCA
2000 Frost Valley Rd., Claryville, 845-985-2291. Established in 1901 as one of the nation's first summer camps, Frost Valley YMCA is a 6,000 acre residential camping, environmental education and conference center open to individual families, scouts and community groups. See display ad on page 134.

Jenny Jump State Forest
State Park Rd., Hope, NJ, 908-459-4366. Small state campground has 23 private campsites in the woods and 6 shelter cabins each furnished with 2 bunk beds, woodburning stove & small table & benches. Several miles of hiking trails lead thru rugged, rocky terrain with scenic overlooks to Delaware Water Gap and other vistas; convenient to Land of Make Believe. United Astronomy Clubs of NJ Greenwood Observatory open 8-10:30pm Sat. late April thru Oct. for presentations and public observing. 
Sat
Apr-Oct
     Stargazing & Lectures, 8-10:30pm. Beginners and children are welcome.

Kymer's Camping Resort
69 Kymer Road, Branchville, 973-875-3167, 800-526-2267. E-mail: Kymers@njcamping.com. Open April 1 Oct. 31. Located in Sussex County near the Kittatinny Mountains offering trailer and cabin rentals and trailer and tent campsites with water, electric and cable TV hookups.

Mohican Outdoor Center
50 Camp Rd., Blairstown, 908-362-5670. Former boy scout camp on the banks of Catfish Pond, a 60-acre glacial lake, is now operated by the Appalachian Mountain Club in partnership with the National Park Service. Hiking on the Appalachian Trail, fishing, swimming, canoeing, biking, rock climbing, birdwatching, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, campsites and lodging available. 
   Outdoor programs for all ages and levels of interest are offered year round for members and non-members. Facilities, available on a space-available basis, include lodge with heated central gathering area, seasonal meals, shower and fireplace; shared bunkroom and private cabins; seven rustic campsites; group campsite; and three tent platforms and ground site overlooking Catfish Pond. 
Ongoing
     Weekend Getaways, volunteer-led themed-programs are open year 'round to adult members and non-members.
     Family Adventure Camps & Weekends are offered at AMC locations in New Hampshire during school vacations and summer. Check website for dates.

Panther Lake Camping Resort
6 Panther Lake Road, Andover, 973-347-4440, 800-543-2056. E-mail: pantherlake@nac.net. Open April 1 Oct. 31. Located in Sussex County on Panther Lake offering trailer and cabin rentals and trailer and tent campsites with water, electric and cable TV hookups.

Pocono Environmental Education Center 
Rt. 209, Dingmans Ferry, PA, 570-828-2319. Located in a former Pocono resort in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, PEEC offers daytime and overnight nature programs for families. Educational family weekends, nature and birding treks, homeschool programs, workshops for educators, scout/school trips and other special events are held throughout the year.

Wharton State Forest
Batsto Village, Rt. 542, Hammonton, 609-561-0024; Atsion Office, Rt. 206, Hammonton, 609-268-0444; 609-567-4559. Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day: $5 weekends. The largest single tract of land within the New Jersey State Park system, Wharton State Forest is the site of Batsto Village in the Pine Barrens, a former bog iron and glassmaking industrial center from 1766 to 1867, and features miles of unpaved roads for mountain biking and horseback riding, trails for hiking, rivers and streams for canoeing/kayaking, and numerous lakes, ponds and fields for wildlife observation. The 50-mile Batona Trail connects Wharton, Brendan Byrne (formerly Lebanon) and Bass River State Forests. Campsites include tent and trailer sites, wilderness campsites and nine furnished cabins.

YMCA Camp Mason
23 Birch Ridge Rd., Hardwick, 908-362-8217. Family camping weekends are generally offered over Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and for Fall Foliage. Fee includes accommodations in heated duplex cabins with full bathrooms and bunk beds, meals, self-directed and staff-led activities, and use of all facilities. Group rentals available at other times.