NJ > Round Valley > Last-Minute 8/30 to 9/1

**mychal** · 08-26-2014, 09:57

I'm thinking of taking some of my kids Saturday night to Round Valley.

For those who hung there in the past, especially those of you who went to the group hang a few months ago, what sites rock or stink for hammocks? All advice is appreciated.

Anybody who wants to join us is welcome. We'll probably swim and bring our mountain bikes and spend some time riding the Cushetunk Trail on Sunday.

Thanks.

**Dochartaigh** · 08-26-2014, 10:12

I was just there this past weekend. We had the group site #3, and #5 seemed very nice as well. Can't comment on the regular smaller-group sites though (but from walking through there I can't imagine any site wouldn't have enough trees to hang from).

**njredneck** · 08-26-2014, 15:02

We had group site 7 in May. Plenty of room to hang.
Are you hiking in or paddling across the lake?

**mychal** · 08-26-2014, 15:09

Hiking. Never paddled to go camping before. Dying to try. We're thinking of trying in the Pinelands this fall, but gotta see the kids' sports and scout schedules first.

**silentorpheus** · 08-26-2014, 15:26

Just remember that Round Valley has some overly restrictive rules. You aren't technically able to reserve a group site with less than 6 or 7 people, I think.

Then again there are 60+ sites - NJRedneck and I only saw the first 20 or so when we did our original recon, since we didn't feel like hiking 3 miles worth of campsites.

They have a book with pictures of all the sites at the camp office there, though that would mean actually going there to check it out before booking a site.

**njredneck** · 08-26-2014, 16:01

Originally Posted by mychal

Hiking. Never paddled to go camping before. Dying to try. We're thinking of trying in the Pinelands this fall, but gotta see the kids' sports and scout schedules first.

The hike into Round Valley is strenuous compared to the pine barrens. It's 3 miles to the beginning of the camp and upto 3 more depending on which site your in. And worth every step for the view if you can get a waterfront site.

**mychal** · 08-26-2014, 16:03

The waterfront sites seen to be all booked (at least according to Reserve America).

**mychal** · 08-26-2014, 16:19

Originally Posted by silentorpheus

Just remember that Round Valley has some overly restrictive rules. You aren't technically able to reserve a group site with less than 6 or 7 people, I think.

Then again there are 60+ sites - NJRedneck and I only saw the first 20 or so when we did our original recon, since we didn't feel like hiking 3 miles worth of campsites.

They have a book with pictures of all the sites at the camp office there, though that would mean actually going there to check it out before booking a site.

Yeah, I had no intention of booking a group site, unless, by some miracle, the entire NJ hammock coalition suddenly decided to join us.

**mychal** · 08-27-2014, 09:07

All right, so we're booked at site 084 (the farthest site in, and the opposite end of the camping area from the group sites) for Sat and Sun nights. I'm going to hike or bike in Saturday to set our hammocks because my kids are busy during the day. Then I'll return home to pick them up and we'll go back at dark. So there's a night hike for ya.

Also, gonna start a new post for a Tuesday night at Sandy Hook. Anybody know if they have trees to hang from there? Kind of looks like it from satellite images.

**Ratdog** · 08-27-2014, 09:25

I'm thinking that's a haul in to site 84. Might want to bike it just for time's sake.

If heading back at night, confirm you can get in after dark. Gates do get locked, not sure if it's the upper, lower or both parking lots or maybe even the park entrance. Just thinking that double checking the details is a good idea.