Leo C.
Scout
ScoutWinding Hills Park
Nice but dated
Nice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
Camping near Bloomingdale, NJ
151 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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The Skylands region surrounding Bloomingdale, New Jersey features several established campgrounds within a 30-minute drive, including Mahlon Dickerson Reservation and Camp Glen Gray. These areas provide a mix of camping experiences from developed sites with hookups to more primitive options. Most campgrounds in the region accommodate tent camping, while several also offer cabin rentals and RV sites with electric and water hookups. The forested terrain creates natural buffers between many campsites, with some properties featuring lake or pond access for recreation.
Camping facilities vary significantly across the region, with state parks like Wawayanda offering more rustic experiences compared to private campgrounds with full amenities. "Located in the Skylands of New Jersey, Mahlon Dickerson Campground is a perfect place to spend a few nights or a couple of weeks. The campsites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large," noted one visitor. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, typically from April through October, though some remain open year-round with limited services during winter months. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend stays during summer and fall foliage season. The region experiences typical Northeast seasonal patterns with humid summers and cold winters, making spring and fall particularly popular for camping.
Waterfront camping opportunities represent a significant draw throughout the area. Several campgrounds feature lake access, including sites at Wawayanda State Park and Panther Lake Camping Resort. Campers frequently mention the natural beauty and hiking opportunities as highlights of their stays. A visitor to Stokes State Forest commented that it is "nestled in a beautiful part of New Jersey and it's just remote enough that you can get away from the crowds and activity while still being in a short driving distance of restaurants, grocery stores, etc." Wildlife viewing is common, with deer, various bird species, and smaller mammals frequently spotted. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours and have restrictions on alcohol consumption. Cell service can be spotty in more remote areas, particularly in the valleys between ridges and mountains.
Best Campgrounds near Bloomingdale (151)
1. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
"Located in the Skylands of New Jersey, Mahlon Dickerson Campgound is a perfect place to spend a few nights or a couple of weeks. The campsites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large."
"It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities."
2. Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park
"Drive-in tent campgrounds. Adequate restroom facilities sprinkled amongst tent sites. Some campsites have raised platforms. All sites have picnic tables and fire ring with flip-top grill."
"The grounds are just steps away from Welch Lake, offering a lifeguard monitored sandy beach which is open during the summer season for swimming, fishing, and small boat craft further out."
from $17 - $20 / night
Check Availability3. Camp Glen Gray
"One rustic place with many hiking trails to choose from. Camp also provides trucking of gear weather permitting. No vehicles allowed to drive through camp. Trading Post for treats and other items."
"Lots of hiking trails. Trading post is well stocked and volunteers are always friendly and able to answer any questions"
from $5 - $200 / night
Check Availability4. Sebago Cabin Camp — Harriman State Park
"It is a step up from cabin camping. They also have a beach behind it."
"This place is only an hour away from NYC with so much to do and see. These cabins are VERY rustic, four walls, a cot, and a fridge."
from $74 - $130 / night
Check Availability5. Wawayanda State Park Campground
"It is off the beaten path without any running water or showers within walking distance."
"Fantastic loop hike near some amazing hidden lakes. One downside is there were obviously people who had visited and didn't understand what LEAVE NO TRACE means. We'll bring a trashbag next time."
6. Stonetown Circular trail Primitive #1
"Stonetown Circular trail is a 11 mile medium/high difficulty loop trail. This is the first of two primitive sites along the trail. The trailhead is across the street from a large parking lot."
7. Stokes State Forest
"It was a solid choice: private but close to the toilet and water. Some sites located around the opposite side of the ring back up to a babbling brook. The rushing water will soothe you to sleep."
"We stayed at the campsite at Lake Ocquittunk Area. Campsite was very spacious and had a platform where we were able to fit two tents. There was plenty of space on the site for more tents."
from $7 - $55 / night
Check Availability8. Panther Lake Camping Resort
"Panther lake was a pretty good campground with lots of spots to camp at. Our campsite had a picnic bench and a fire ring. They offer both RV and primitive camping."
"The Lake is the gem of the campground with a really nice beach, good for fishing and kayaking. The negatives were the bathrooms. They are very primitive and quite dirty."
9. Stonetown Circular trail Primitive #2
"Stonetown Circular trail is a 11 mile medium/high difficulty loop trail. This is the second of two primitive sites along the trail. The trailhead is across the street from a large parking lot."
10. The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center — Harriman State Park
"This was beautiful campground with an even nicer lake. You are able to do a hike around the lake."
"Great trails to hike for novices looking to branch out but not too large that you'll be lost forever lol highly recommend and can't do so enough 👍🏽"
Drive Time
- 28 min from Kiryas Joel, NY
- 34 min from New York, NY
- 1 hr 10 min from Bridgeport, CT
- 1 hr 19 min from Trenton, NJ
Recent Camping Photos near Bloomingdale, NJ
515 Photos of 151 Bloomingdale Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
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Recent Reviews near Bloomingdale, NJ
942 Reviews of 151 Bloomingdale Campgrounds
Thomas B.
RangerNeversink River Resort
Cool Riverside Campground
I'll start by saying this is a site-specific review (C20). I booked using Campspot and didn't select my own site but put in the criteria for my rig (30ft TT plus truck) and got a 50A back-in spot. The site was big but abnormal. Between the picnic table placement and the trees, I ended up right around 50ft from the electric and water, and the water spigot was so low I could barely put on my camco filter. With the uneven dirt roads, I had to unhitch with my truck in a gigantic puddle (lol). The site was otherwise fine aside from my gate code not working on Day 2. As for the campground as a whole, I thought it was pretty unique place by the river that offered several good amenities and activities, like downstream river tubing, an arcade, bathroom/shower facilities, a small store, little trails, and more. I would say this place borders the more primitive side.
Edwin R.ScoutCheesequake State Park Campground
Park uses county cops to shut down park by 9pm.
On Friday, September 4, 2026, I rented a trailer and brought my family to Cheesequake State Park to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary over the extended Labor Day weekend. Around 9:20 PM—well before the park's designated 10:00 PM quiet hours—we were sitting inside our canopy, playing Jenga, and listening to low background music. Two officers from the Matawan Police Department approached our campsite. They were polite and courteous, simply offering a standard reminder to wrap things up by 10:00 PM. Before they could leave, however, a third, senior officer intervened. Wanting to"show them how it's done," he made the two polite officers return and stand by to watch as he demonstrated how to aggressively harass campers. Flashlight in hand, the senior officer approached with an immediate hostile attitude, treating us like criminals as he demanded to know who rented the site. He began reiterating rules and claimed we had too many vehicles. We had three cars, one belonging to my brother-in-law's girlfriend, who was visiting with her daughter. She had paid the$10 visitor fee at the main office and was instructed by staff to obtain the gate access code from us, the primary renters, if she got locked in. No staff member ever informed her of an 8:00 PM visitor departure deadline, leading us to reasonably assume visitors were permitted until quiet hours began at 10:00 PM. The officer rudely snapped that she had been given wrong information. The senior officer then used profanity in front of three small children, aggressively telling her to ("get her shit and get the fuck out!") in that manner or use profanity, the officer went from hostile to furious. He angrily declared that these were official violations and threatened that he could be issuing us tickets instead. Desperately searching for anything and everything to throw at us, he demanded that we turn off our idling car—which was supplying power to our campsite—and instructed us to make sure the campfire was doused before shutting down for the night. He then proceeded to shine his flashlight into our private setup—including our canopy, tents, and the inside of our trailer—searching for any other possible violation while the two polite officers were forced to watch. What was supposed to be a special 10th wedding anniversary celebration with my family was completely ruined by a senior officer misusing his authority to put on an unnecessary display of intimidation. Worse than just ruining our night, he spent that evening teaching those two police officers how to be bad cops. He corrupted two officers in real time, demonstrating firsthand exactly why most people have lost faith in the police force. The next day we was ready for them. We turned off our lights and quietly by the fire while they went next door to harass an asian family that had just set up camp and had their leds lights on.
- eedgar V.Scout
Black Bear RV Park
Super clean and quiet
Past reviews has mentioned that the office seems to be closed often, while I found that to be true I had no reason to contact anyone. This is definitely one of the cleanest quiets site I’ve ever visited
- KKelly B.
GuideClarence Fahnestock State Park Campground
Check site photos first
Definitely a wide variety of sites—look at the site pictures before booking—there are two areas where it’s just an open field with bonfires and picnic tables that I’d avoid. I could see a large group going there or something but personally it doesn’t offer any privacy.
BUT if you book one of the other sites that DOES have privacy you’ll be in camping heaven. The “hike in” sites are more like “walk-in,” I was worried at first but it’s some are as little as a few yards from the road. The most annoying part was lugging the cooler back and forth, but totally worth it
- KKelly B.Guide
Stephens State Park Campground
Great last min getaway
Booked the day before—even on the holiday weekend! Just 1.5 hours outside of NYC, site was a bit close to the neighbors (fire pit was very far back and basically in the neighbors’ campsite, but we put up a “privacy clothesline” and hung a tarp over it for a bit of extra coverage.
The staff was friendly and helpful, they said it was the busiest they’ve seen the campground all year (there were lots of large groups but everyone seemed to settle down by 9:30pm
Poison ivy was EVERYWHERE at our site so make sure to stick to the open areas and the paths. Lots of families around, we felt very safe Bathrooms were fine—it was my impression they’re usually cleaner but the high traffic of the weekend left a bit to be desired, (lots of families around=dirty diapers in the bathroom trash bin) but it’s camping! I’m not gonna argue w a flushing toilet!
- KKevin F.
TravelerTri-State RV Park
A place to stay in an area lacking campgrounds.
This area seems to be devoid of campgrounds except for this one. It’s basically just a large parking lot with hook ups. Completely open, which is great for Starlink. Bathrooms were slightly above average; fairly clean and places to hang clothes for your shower. Has a laundry but be sure to bring quarters. It is about 100 yards from the interstate so you’ll get a lot of noise and diesel exhaust fumes.
- Sue B.Ranger
Delaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA
Great off season camping
We camped here in our pop up for our Anniversary in November. We were impressed with the cleanliness and available amenities for the time of year we were camping in! Close proximity to DWG and PA AND NJ attractions.
- Sue B.Ranger
Pickerel Point Campground — Promised Land State Park
Great cabins!
We booked a cabin at the last minute and were pleasantly surprised that the cabin had heat and electricity! It was very close to the awesome heated bathroom also! We were also able to catch a beautiful sunset! Great camp all around!
Guide to Bloomingdale
Bloomingdale, New Jersey camping options range from rustic tent platforms to full-service RV sites across elevations from 400 to 1,200 feet. The region experiences temperature swings of up to 40°F between day and night during spring and fall camping seasons, with morning fog common in valley campgrounds. Steep terrain at some sites requires specific equipment considerations for comfortable camping.
What to do
Hiking Stokes State Forest: Access to the Appalachian Trail and over 63 miles of marked trails within the forest boundaries. "We took a 5 mile hike up to the fire tower," noted one visitor to Stokes State Forest. Trails range from beginner-friendly paths to challenging rock scrambles with significant elevation changes.
Boating on Panther Lake: Rent boats for fishing or paddling at the campground marina. A visitor to Panther Lake Camping Resort mentioned "the lake and pool were a big plus, especially for hot days. While I did not take advantage, you are allowed to rent boats and take them out on the lake."
Swimming in Greenwood Lake: Public beach access with lifeguards on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Water temperatures range from 65°F in early summer to 80°F in August. Beaver Pond visitors note "Lake Welch and Harriman State Park combines a beautiful area. This camp ground is laid back away from the busy activity of the big city. If you want to get away and relax you can come here to walk, swim and camp."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provides spacious camping areas. A camper observed, "The campsites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large. Water and electric hookups and a dump station." Another noted, "Our site is easily the nicest- all the way in the back with only one neighbor. It is so quiet here."
Clean facilities: Beaver Pond Campground receives praise for well-maintained amenities. "The grounds are clean and what you'd expect from a campground," said one visitor. Another pointed out the "public bath houses, a laundry facility, playground for the kids and camp-sinks with access to water."
Accessibility from urban areas: Multiple campgrounds sit within a 45-60 minute drive from New York City. A camper at The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center highlighted this advantage: "This campsite is accessible by public transportation. There is a shuttle run by the campsite to and from Tuxedo Park Train Station (reservations on shuttle required)."
What you should know
Bear awareness: Active black bear populations require proper food storage. "There are a lot of bear warnings here so that gave us a bit of pause with our three little boys," noted a visitor to Mahlon Dickerson Reservation. Bears are most active during dawn and dusk hours, particularly in spring and fall.
Limited cell service: Stonetown Circular Trail primitive sites have no connectivity. The sites require moderate to challenging hikes with "a fairly difficult rock scramble. I would advise packing light if making camp at this site because a heavy pack would make this scramble up the mountain even harder."
Seasonal facility changes: Most campgrounds reduce services between November and March. Bathroom facilities at Wawayanda State Park change seasonally, with a camper noting "Primitive bathrooms need ventilation. Clean enough, but hold your breath. Ticks and bears." Winter camping requires additional preparation as water sources may be turned off.
Tips for camping with families
Platform tent options: Camp Glen Gray offers raised sleeping areas ideal for families with young children. "Cabins are always clean and stocked with firewood. Lots of hiking trails. Trading post is well stocked and volunteers are always friendly and able to answer any questions," reports one regular visitor.
Summer programming: Scheduled activities for kids run from June through August. "There is an arcade room (fun for kids but kind of an odd thing to have at a campsite in my opinion) and a covered sitting area also next to the welcome center," noted a visitor to Panther Lake.
Family-friendly weekday visits: Weekends see higher capacity and noise levels at most campgrounds. A Beaver Pond visitor advised, "Ranger said that during summer weekends the grounds fill up and can be quite noisy, but mid-week during the off-season it was great."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer partial hookups with restrictions. At Mahlon Dickerson, a visitor noted, "Website lists water hook ups at long distances but they have hose reels to help with that. Our site (15) said 75' however the 50' hose reel made it to our rv connection."
Site leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks for uneven terrain. "Very clean and quiet. Trash dumpster is an easy walk and the dump station has a flush hose point. Nice and easy little campground," reported one RVer about Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Seasonal site access: Some campgrounds restrict certain areas during wet seasons. A Panther Lake visitor warned, "Other area of the place had water and electric but it would be hard to get in/out of if it had rained a lot as it was all on soft grass."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Bloomingdale, NJ?
What camping is available near Bloomingdale, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Bloomingdale, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 151 campgrounds and RV parks near Bloomingdale, NJ and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Bloomingdale, NJ?
Which is the most popular campground near Bloomingdale, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bloomingdale, NJ is Mahlon Dickerson Reservation with a 4.6-star rating from 19 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bloomingdale, NJ?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bloomingdale, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Bloomingdale, NJ.
What parks are near Bloomingdale, NJ?
What parks are near Bloomingdale, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Bloomingdale, NJ that allow camping, notably Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Gateway National Recreation Area.
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