Campgrounds in Sussex County NJ: State Parks, Cabins and RV Sites

The best campgrounds in Sussex County NJ fall into two groups: state park campgrounds at Stokes State Forest, High Point State Park and Swartswood State Park, and a pair of private campgrounds in Sussex and Branchville with RV hookups, cabins and pools. Most of them close for the season in mid to late fall, so November is the right time to plan, and in some cases book, next year’s trip.

A few spots stay open through the cold months. Harmony Ridge Campground in Branchville is open year round, and parts of Stokes State Forest, including some Lake Ocquittunk sites and the Shotwell lean-tos, are listed as open year round on the state’s reservation system. Below, our team covers every option we could verify on an official source, with seasons, site types and how to reserve.

Sussex County campgrounds at a glance

• Open year round: Harmony Ridge Campground (Branchville), select Stokes State Forest sites and lean-tos, High Point group campsites
• Best for RVs with full hookups: Sun Retreats Pleasant Acres Farm (Sussex) and Harmony Ridge Campground (Branchville)
• Best for cabins: Stokes State Forest (Lake Ocquittunk), High Point State Park and Pleasant Acres Farm
• Best for lake camping: Swartswood State Park and High Point’s Sawmill Lake area
• State park reservations: all through NJ Outdoors, up to 11 months ahead

State park campgrounds in Sussex County

New Jersey’s state park campsites in Sussex County are booked through the state’s official NJ Outdoors reservation system. Rates below are per night as listed on NJ Outdoors as of fall 2026, and each reservation carries a standard $5 transaction fee. State sites do not have water, sewer or electric hookups, so plan accordingly if you camp in an RV.

Stokes State Forest (Branchville and Sandyston)

Stokes is the county’s biggest camping destination, with five camping areas, all with potable water, spread across more than 16,000 acres of the Kittatinny ridge. The forest office is at 1 Coursen Road, Branchville, phone (973) 948-3820.

• Lake Ocquittunk: 26 tent and trailer sites and 13 cabins, with showers and flush toilets. Family cabins are open April 1 to December 15, and sites T001 to T024 are open year round. Most family cabins sleep 4 and cost $55 resident, $65 nonresident.
• Shotwell: 29 family sites and 9 enclosed lean-tos that sleep up to 6 ($35 resident, $40 nonresident). The lean-tos and some sites are open year round. Pets are only permitted at specified campsites in the forest, so book a designated pet friendly site if you bring your dog.
• Steam Mill: 27 primitive tent sites with pit toilets, open April 15 to November 15.
• Haskins and Lake Ashroe: group sites, open April 15 to October 31.

Tent and trailer sites are $20 resident, $25 nonresident. One thing to know before you pack swimsuits: the state’s current listing says swimming is prohibited in all lakes at Stokes. For trail ideas, see our full fall foliage hikes in Sussex County roundup.

High Point State Park (Route 23, Sussex mailing address)

High Point’s camping centers on the Sawmill Lake area, with 50 family campsites, each with a fire ring and picnic table. Some sites fit travel trailers, but trailers must be fully self contained. The season runs April 1 to October 31, at $20 resident and $25 nonresident per night with a 2 night minimum.

The park also has two family cabins that sleep up to 6 ($75 resident, $85 nonresident) and one group cabin that sleeps up to 28 ($175 resident, $185 nonresident), each with electricity, a bathroom with a shower, a full kitchen and a woodstove. Cabins are available May 15 to October 15. Two group campsites on Park Ridge Road hold up to 25 people each and are open year round, with limited water in winter. The park office is at 1480 State Route 23, Sussex, phone (973) 875-4800. If you want to see the park before you book, our High Point State Park fall foliage guide covers the monument and the best viewpoints.

Swartswood State Park (Stillwater)

Swartswood’s campground is within walking distance of Swartswood Lake, which makes it the best pick in the county if you want to paddle and fish close to your site and swim at the park’s guarded beach in summer. There are 65 standard campsites, including 16 pet friendly sites, each with a fire ring, picnic table and lantern holder, plus flush toilets. Sites are $20 resident and $25 nonresident, designed mainly for tents, and generators are not permitted.

The park also has six cabin style shelters that sleep up to 4, with a wood stove and two double bunks ($48 resident, $60 nonresident), and three group sites. Family sites and shelters are open April 1 through October 31. Swimming is allowed only at the guarded beach when lifeguards are on duty in summer. The park office is at 1091 East Side Road, phone (973) 383-5230.

Wawayanda State Park (Vernon)

Wawayanda State Park, which spans Sussex and Passaic counties, offers group camping by reservation near Wawayanda Lake, per the NJDEP Wawayanda Lake area map. Our team could not confirm current group camping rates or seasons on an official source, so call the park office at (973) 853-4462 before planning a group trip.

Private campgrounds in Sussex County

Sun Retreats Pleasant Acres Farm (Sussex)

Pleasant Acres Farm is a full service RV resort at 61 DeWitt Road, Sussex, NJ 07461, phone (973) 875-4166. Its 2026 season ran April 17 to October 18, so it is closed now and a good one to book early for next year.

• RV sites: full hookup sites, including gravel pull through and back in sites, grass back in sites and paired group or buddy sites
• Lodging: family cabins that sleep 6 and cottages that sleep 2, 4 or 6
• Tents: on designated sites only
• Amenities: a pool open to all ages, an adults only hot tub, a catch and release fishing lake (no swimming and no boats), an animal petting area, hayrides, a jumping pillow, playground, dog park, clubhouse, game room and covered pavilion
• Pets: up to two per reservation, on a leash outside your RV. Pets are not permitted in the family cabins.

Book through the resort’s page on sunoutdoors.com.

Harmony Ridge Campground (Branchville)

Harmony Ridge is the county’s year round option. The campground, at 23 Risdon Drive, Branchville, NJ 07826, describes itself as a 160 acre property offering cabins, RV and tent camping in the Water Gap area. It has a lounge with a fireplace and lists winter activities including cross country skiing and snowmobiling.

Reserve online at harmonyridgecampground.com/reservations or call 973-948-4941, which the campground says reaches a live person for questions and reservations. The website does not list a pet policy, so ask when you call.

Camping on the Delaware River

The Delaware River forms Sussex County’s western border, and the National Park Service manages 62 primitive river campsites on the Middle Delaware. Per the NPS river camping page, they are only for overnight paddling trips of at least 14 river miles for one night, with zone permits reserved through Recreation.gov.

How to book for next season

• State parks: NJ Outdoors opens reservations up to 11 months in advance, and the person reserving must be 18 or older. You can hold up to 4 reservations in your cart.
• Summer cabins go fast: High Point has only three cabins, and from the third week of June through the day after Labor Day its family cabins book in 7 or 14 night blocks. Stokes cabins require a 7 night minimum from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
• Check in: state park check in is mandatory at the park office. If you arrive after hours, check in the next morning.

Know before you go

• Bears: black bears live throughout these parks. Keep food and coolers locked in your vehicle.
• Pets: state parks allow pets only at designated pet friendly sites, so filter for those when you book.
• Firewood: Stokes and Swartswood sell firewood at the park office during business hours.
• Rules: Swartswood lists alcohol, smoking and vaping as prohibited, so check each park’s rules before you pack. Quiet hours at Stokes and Swartswood run 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Seasons change: dates and rates above are as of fall 2026. Confirm with the park or campground before you go.

After a day at High Point or Pleasant Acres, refuel at one of the spots in our guide to the best restaurants in Sussex Borough, or head to our list of where to eat in Newton after a Swartswood weekend.

Planning more time in the Skylands? See our guides to Stokes State Forest and Swartswood State Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are any campgrounds in Sussex County NJ open year round?

Yes. Harmony Ridge Campground in Branchville is open year round. At Stokes State Forest, Lake Ocquittunk sites T001 to T024, the Shotwell lean-tos and some Shotwell sites are listed as open year round, and High Point’s group campsites are open year round.

Which Sussex County campgrounds have RV hookups?

Sun Retreats Pleasant Acres Farm in Sussex has full hookup RV sites, and Harmony Ridge in Branchville offers RV camping. State park campgrounds have no water, sewer or electric hookups.

Can you swim at Sussex County state park campgrounds?

Swartswood State Park has a guarded beach in summer, and High Point has a lifeguarded beach at Lake Marcia. Swimming is prohibited in all lakes at Stokes State Forest.

When do NJ state park campsite reservations open?

NJ Outdoors accepts reservations up to 11 months in advance, so you can book next summer’s dates this fall.

Are there cabins for rent at Sussex County campgrounds?

Yes. Stokes State Forest has 13 cabins at Lake Ocquittunk, High Point State Park has two family cabins and a group cabin, Swartswood has six cabin style shelters, and Pleasant Acres Farm rents family cabins and cottages.

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Primary sources for this guide: Stokes State Forest on NJ Outdoors, High Point State Park on NJ Outdoors, Swartswood State Park on NJ Outdoors, NJ Outdoors reservation FAQ, NJDEP Wawayanda Lake area map, Sun Retreats Pleasant Acres Farm, Harmony Ridge Campground and National Park Service river camping.

Featured photo: stock image of tents at a forest campground, for illustration only. Photo by Matthew Hernandez via Pexels.