Is Stephens Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Stephens 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 Stephens Campground before I book?

Yes! Stephens 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 Stephens Campground?

Stephens Campground is open Typically open April 1 to October 31; some services are reduced outside this camping season.. 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 Stephens Campground?

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

Is there cell service at Stephens Campground?

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

How many campsites does Stephens Campground have?

Stephens Campground has 39 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Stephens Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Stephens Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Stephens Campground?

Stephens Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Electrical Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Stephens Campground?

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

Stephens Campground

Q: Can I have a campfire at Stephens Campground?

Fire policies at Stephens Campground: Fire rings are provided at sites; fire restrictions are enforced seasonally. Firewood is sold at check-in (reported $7 per pack).. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.59

77 reviews

Stephens Campground

Top 20% in NJFall

Featured in:Fishing Camping New Jersey#2 RV Camping New Jersey Tent Camping New Jersey +2 more

Quick Facts

676 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

39 campsites

Season

Typically open April...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

ElectricShowers

Book on NewJerseyStateParks Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

676 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

39 campsites

Season

Typically open April...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

ElectricShowers

Book on NewJerseyStateParks Official Website

Get Directions

Stephens Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Firewood sold at check-in (reported $7 per pack). Nightly camping fees not specified in available sources.

No campsite fee categories listed.

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New Jersey State Parks

Provider

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Stephens Campground

40.8733, -74.8081

Weather at Stephens Campground

Best Time to Camp at Stephens Campground

Spring paints the valley in fresh greens and wildflowers, while fall transforms the wooded hillsides into a spectacular display of autumn color—both seasons offer comfortable temperatures and some of the most beautiful camping conditions. Summer brings warmer weather ideal for wading and fishing in the river, though you'll share the experience with more fellow campers. Winter camping is possible but limited, as reduced services and colder temperatures make this a truly off-season adventure best left to the hardiest visitors.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 20% in NJ

Fall foliage on the wooded hillsides is described as spectacular; reviews highlight autumn color.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Typically open April 1 to October 31; some services are reduced outside this camping season.

About Stephens Campground

Tucked along the tranquil Musconetcong River, Stephens Campground welcomes you to a wooded riverside retreat where the sounds of flowing water replace the noise of everyday life. This intimate state park campground caters to tent campers and small trailers seeking a back-to-basics escape, with easy access to riverside fishing, forest trails, and the fascinating historic buildings of nearby Waterloo Village.

Thirty-nine drive-in sites described as tent and small-trailer sites; sites include a mix of pet-friendly and non-pet-designated areas.

Historical Significance

Located in the Musconetcong River corridor near historic sites such as Waterloo Village; the broader area includes remnants of historic canal and regional industrial-transportation history.

Weather and SeasonsSpring paints the valley in fresh greens and wildflowers, while fall transforms the wooded hillsides into a spectacular display of autumn color—both seasons offer comfortable temperatures and some of the most beautiful camping conditions. Summer brings warmer weather ideal for wading and fishing in the river, though you'll share the experience with more fellow campers. Winter camping is possible but limited, as reduced services and colder temperatures make this a truly off-season adventure best left to the hardiest visitors.

Natural Features and SceneryYour campsite nestles in a peaceful wooded valley where the Musconetcong River winds through the landscape, creating scenic riverbanks perfect for morning coffee or sunset picnics. Above the valley, Allamuchy Mountain rises as a dramatic backdrop, its slopes offering trail connections for hikers eager to explore beyond the riverside setting. The combination of rippling water, dense canopy, and mountain views creates an intimate natural sanctuary that feels worlds away from civilization.

Geological RegionMusconetcong River valley (wooded river corridor beneath Allamuchy Mountain)

Scenic ViewsRiver and wooded valley views along the Musconetcong River; scenery is most notable at riverside sites and trail-adjacent locations rather than long-distance overlooks.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsNJ Outdoors / UseDirect (state park reservation system)

Total Campsites39 campsites

Best CampsitesNo site-specific, reliable recommendations found. Campers generally prefer sites with easier access to the river and nearby trails; site privacy and exposure vary.

Need help booking Stephens Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Basic state-park campground amenities including showers, flush toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and some electrical access; pet-friendly sites are available.

Showers

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

Things to do at Stephens Campground

Riverside camping with hiking and fishing access; additional opportunities include picnicking, wildlife viewing, and a horseback-riding trail connection.

Fishing4.0/5

Hiking3.5/5

Park trails + trail connections to Allamuchy Mountain provide hiking opportunities.

Wildlife viewing3.5/5

Biking2.5/5

Trails exist but biking not highlighted; limited direct mentions.

Signature experiences

Photography4.0/5Riverbanks, wooded valley and fall colors cited — good scenes for sunrise/sunset and foliage shots.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsTicks are commonly reported by visitors. Some sites may experience road noise from nearby roads; campground roads have been reported to have potholes and rough spots. General riparian/forest hazards apply (no specific hazards officially listed).

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

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 PolicyFire rings are provided at sites; fire restrictions are enforced seasonally. Firewood is sold at check-in (reported $7 per pack).

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are enforced (specific hours not provided in sources).

Cell CoverageMobile coverage reported as strong for T-Mobile and AT&T (5G) and limited LTE for Verizon according to campground connectivity reports; users also report generally good signal.

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

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.6

77 reviews

Top-Rated

Stephens Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews are largely positive, praising the quiet riverside setting, clean restrooms and showers, wooded and spacious sites, family-friendly features, and affordability. Common negatives include occasional road noise, limited site privacy, ticks, and campground road condition.

Review Summaries

Based on 77 reviews

What Campers Love

Peaceful Musconetcong River setting, clean bathrooms and showers, plenty of shaded sites, playground and family-friendly facilities, affordable camping, and pet-friendly options.

Based on 77 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reserve early for spring and fall when demand is higher; bring tick repellent and expect basic state-park amenities rather than full RV-resort services; some users purchase firewood at check-in and...

Based on 77 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Great park for tent camping. Very affordable, clean and a lot of wooded camp sites.” — “Nice little campground, clean bathrooms and showers.”

Based on 77 reviews

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Stephens Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Firewood sold at check-in (reported $7 per pack). Nightly camping fees not specified in available sources.

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 and small RVs who want basic state-park comfort will like it. Riversides sites, clean restrooms, and trail access near Waterloo Village make this a strong spring or fall pick.

Skip if

Road noise, ticks, and patchy site privacy are deal-breakers. The campground roads are rough in spots, and there’s no dump station or potable water.

Nearby Campgrounds

Frequently Visited

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Jenny Jump Campground

Perched high on Jenny Jump Mountain in New Jersey's scenic Highlands, this ridge-top retreat delivers what every camper craves: spacious sites tucked among the trees and sweeping views that stretch across the Kittatinny Mountains to the Delaware Water Gap. With excellent hiking trails at your doorstep and stargazing programs at the on-site observatory, it's a peaceful mountain escape that runs seasonally from spring through fall.

Stephens Campground

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Ask Camp Sage about Stephens Campground

Campground Map

Weather at Stephens Campground

Best Time to Camp at Stephens Campground

Planning Tips

About Stephens Campground

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Stephens Campground?

Amenities available

Things to do at Stephens Campground

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Get Notified When Available

Go if

Skip if

Featured in these camping guides

Ask Camp Sage about Stephens Campground

Best Time to Camp at Stephens Campground

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Stephens Campground?

Amenities available

Things to do at Stephens Campground

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love