Is High Point Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

High Point Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at High Point Campground before I book?

Yes! High Point Campground has 8 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve.

What is the best time to visit High Point Campground?

High Point Campground is open Seasonal — main Sawmill Lake campground is closed in winter; group sites may remain open.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at High Point Campground?

Yes, High Point Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Is there cell service at High Point Campground?

Cell phone service at High Point Campground is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does High Point Campground have?

High Point Campground has 50 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at High Point Campground?

Pets are not allowed at High Point Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at High Point Campground?

High Point Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at High Point Campground?

Popular activities at High Point Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

High Point Campground

Q: Can I have a campfire at High Point Campground?

Fire policies at High Point Campground: Sites are reported to include fire rings and picnic tables; visitors must follow park fire regulations and posted fire bans. Bear-safety rules require storing food and scented items in vehicles.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.38

39 reviews

High Point Campground

Top 20% in NJFall

Great HikingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

1,224 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

50 campsites

Season

Seasonal — main Sawm...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

Showers

Book on NewJerseyStateParks Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,224 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

50 campsites

Season

Seasonal — main Sawm...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

Showers

Book on NewJerseyStateParks Official Website

Get Directions

High Point Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

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New Jersey State Parks

Provider

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

High Point Campground

41.2954, -74.6871

Weather at High Point Campground

Best Time to Camp at High Point Campground

Plan your adventure for late spring through early fall (May through September) when the lake beckons swimmers and paddlers, trails are at their best, and the forest canopy provides welcome shade on warm summer days. Summer brings the liveliest atmosphere—and yes, you'll want bug spray for mosquitoes and tick checks after hikes. September and October transform the mountainside into a breathtaking canvas of reds, oranges, and golds, though you'll want to pack extra layers as evenings turn crisp at this elevation. The campground closes for winter, but the park itself remains open for cold-weather adventurers seeking snowy trails and frozen landscapes.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 19% in NJ

Late spring–early fall recommended; swimming, paddling and full trail access peak in summer.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Seasonal — main Sawmill Lake campground is closed in winter; group sites may remain open.

About High Point Campground

Perched along the tranquil shores of Sawmill Lake on Kittatinny Mountain's wooded slopes, High Point Campground delivers an authentic lakeside camping experience just steps from the iconic High Point Monument. This peaceful, primarily tent-oriented retreat immerses you in forest surroundings with stunning lakefront views, direct access to legendary hiking trails including the Appalachian Trail, and some of New Jersey's most spectacular fall foliage displays.

Primary facility is a tent-only campground on Sawmill Lake with separate group sites elsewhere in the park; seasonal operation for the main Sawmill Lake loop.

Historical Significance

The park is centered on New Jersey's highest elevation and features the High Point Monument (a 220-foot obelisk and New Jersey Veterans' Memorial). The area reflects glacial geology and includes the Dryden Kuser Natural Area; the Appalachian Trail passes through the park, linking it to regional hiking and cultural heritage.

Weather and SeasonsPlan your adventure for late spring through early fall (May through September) when the lake beckons swimmers and paddlers, trails are at their best, and the forest canopy provides welcome shade on warm summer days. Summer brings the liveliest atmosphere—and yes, you'll want bug spray for mosquitoes and tick checks after hikes. September and October transform the mountainside into a breathtaking canvas of reds, oranges, and golds, though you'll want to pack extra layers as evenings turn crisp at this elevation. The campground closes for winter, but the park itself remains open for cold-weather adventurers seeking snowy trails and frozen landscapes.

Natural Features and SceneryWake up to misty mornings over Sawmill Lake, cradled within a lush tapestry of hardwoods and conifers along the dramatic Kittatinny Ridge. The surrounding landscape tells stories written in stone and ice—rocky ridgetops give way to glacially sculpted valleys, hidden wetlands, and the remarkable Dryden Kuser Natural Area, where rare Atlantic white cedar bogs and high-elevation cedar forests create an enchanting world rarely seen in the Garden State. Whether you're paddling the lake's calm waters or exploring the ridgeline trails, you'll discover why this corner of New Jersey feels worlds away from everyday life.

Geological RegionKittatinny Mountain / Kittatinny Ridge — glacially carved ridges, kettles, wetlands.

Scenic ViewsPanoramic three-state views (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York) are available from nearby High Point Monument; many lakefront campsites offer intimate waterfront views and reflections at sunrise and sunset. Ridge trails and rock ledges near the monument provide long-distance vistas across the Skylands, Poconos, and Catskills on clear days.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Reported park office hours 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
campers report checking in at the park office during operating hours and following posted instructions for after-hours arrival.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsUseDirect (typical New Jersey State Parks reservation system)

Total Campsites50 campsites

Best CampsitesLakefront sites on the Sawmill Lake loop are most sought-after for direct water access and views; user reports single out Site 24 as a preferred waterfront site. Corner or end waterfront sites offer increased privacy. Group sites off Park Ridge Road are noted for seclusion.

Need help booking High Point Campground?

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When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Sawmill Lake campground provides basic camp infrastructure for tent campers: picnic tables and fire rings at sites, potable water spigots, and flush restrooms within walking distance. Group sites elsewhere in the park have drinking water and pit-style toilets; there are no RV hookups.

Showers

Potable water

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Things to do at High Point Campground

High Point Campground centers on lakefront recreation, ridge hiking, and scenic viewing tied to High Point Monument and the Kittatinny Ridge. Activities support both day-use and overnight tent camping in season.

Hiking4.5/5Top 18% in New Jersey

Direct access to Monument Trail and nearby sections of the Appalachian Trail; ridge outlooks.

Swimming4.0/5

Seasonal guarded swimming beach on Sawmill Lake; many lakefront sites are nearby.

Fishing3.5/5

Freshwater angling on Sawmill Lake and nearby ponds; lakeside sites favor fishing.

Boating3.5/5

Lake supports paddling/boating and lakefront access; paddlers referenced in overview.

Wildlife viewing3.0/5

Signature experiences

Photography4.5/5Panoramic three-state monument views and lakefront sunsets make it highly photogenic.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBlack bears are present; strict food storage rules are enforced. Ticks and mosquitoes are common in warm months. Waterfront sites can be wind-exposed, and winter conditions may bring snow and icy roads. Some sites may experience occasional road noise from nearby Route 23.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Fire PolicySites are reported to include fire rings and picnic tables; visitors must follow park fire regulations and posted fire bans. Bear-safety rules require storing food and scented items in vehicles.

Cell CoverageUser reports indicate generally usable cellular service: AT&T and T‑Mobile with good/5G coverage in many areas, Verizon LTE workable but spotty in some low or forested areas; strongest signal near open areas such as the lake, monument, or park office.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.4

39 reviews

Recommended

High Point Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitors emphasize outstanding scenic views (lakefront sunsets and three-state vistas from the monument), well-maintained facilities, and abundant hiking opportunities. Reviews commonly praise lakefront sites and the park's natural character while noting seasonal insect pressure and occasional crowds on peak summer weekends.

Review Summaries

Based on 39 reviews

What Campers Love

Scenic Sawmill Lake waterfront sites, proximity to High Point Monument and long-distance ridge views, access to extensive hiking (including the Appalachian Trail), quiet forested setting, and...

Based on 39 reviews

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High Point Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

New Jersey State Parks

Provider

Go if

Tent campers who want Sawmill Lake, the Monument Trail, and easy access to the Appalachian Trail get the most out of it. Site 24 and other waterfront spots book fast, so reserve early.

Skip if

RVs and trailer campers should pass, there are no hookups and the campground is built around tents. Summer weekends can feel crowded, with some road noise, bug pressure, and a few tense guest interactions.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nestled high on the Kittatinny Mountain ridge within Stokes State Forest, this wooded retreat delivers an authentic backcountry experience just a short drive from the urban corridor. Choose your adventure among traditional tent sites, cozy lean-tos, or rustic cabins, all surrounded by the sounds of streams and rustling leaves. With trails leading to breathtaking ridge views, cascading ravines, and quiet forest lakes, Stokes offers the kind of unplugged escape where starry skies replace cell signals and morning mist becomes your alarm clock.