RV camping near Caldwell, New Jersey sits amid the rolling hills of northern New Jersey at elevations ranging from 300 to 1,200 feet. Most campgrounds in the area operate from April through October, though several offer year-round RV camping. Winter camping requires additional preparation as temperatures regularly drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Explore Manhattan skyline views: Liberty Harbor RV Park in Jersey City provides urban RV camping with direct views of the New York City skyline. "Having a view of Lady Liberty out your window is priceless," notes Joe R. The park offers easy access to public transportation with "the light rail a block away, and the path train about 8" blocks from the campground.
Visit local farms: Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort combines camping with farm activities. "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool," reports Faith D. Children particularly enjoy the animal interactions, with Scott N. mentioning "animal petting and good fishing" as standout features.
Hiking trails: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers extensive trail networks through woodlands. "We always hike to the lake here, it's a very easy hike and also very peaceful," shares Paulene-Amanda M. The reservation features interconnected trails that provide access to "creeks, pond, lake views," according to John S.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provides spacious, secluded campsites. Greg S. notes, "The sites are spaced well and have a nice bonus of large fire rings set back in the woods a bit from the pad that you park on." Many campers appreciate that "Even if the place is packed there is PLENTY of room."
Urban proximity: Liberty Harbor RV Park offers rare urban camping opportunities. Emily L. describes it as "Very plain & functional, no frills but right on the harbor & on the very edge of Jersey City, close to a ferry & the train that takes u across to New York City." Keith and Tia S. add it's "minutes walk to the Statue of Liberty, Liberty Science center."
Wildlife viewing: Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South provides natural woodland camping. Nick E. calls it a "Beautiful campground" with well-spaced wooded sites, while Robert M. notes sites are "large in most cases" and situated on a mountain with wildlife viewing opportunities.
What you should know
Seasonal access: Most campgrounds operate with limited seasons. Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort runs from April through October, while Mahlon Dickerson Reservation typically closes during winter months.
Water hookup considerations: Water access varies between parks. At Mahlon Dickerson, antruze notes, "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."
Cell service challenges: Mobile connectivity varies significantly. At Timothy Lake South, "Cell service for most providers is practically non-existent," according to Jim G., who adds "Verizon is 25 down 10 up. Tmobile is unusable."
Urban campground limitations: Liberty Harbor functions more as an RV parking area than traditional campground. Ericka T. describes it as a "Glorified Parking Lot" noting "Larger rigs will barely have a yard. And don't bet on a private picnic table."
Tips for camping with families
Animal interactions: Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort offers farm animal experiences. Janelle G. notes there are "Plenty to occupy the kids. Playground, hayride, animals to feed (goats, chickens, donkey and pony)." Erin S. adds "My daughter loved the horses and goats."
Playground options: Mountain Top RV Park provides dedicated play areas for children. Jason G. mentions "a nice lounge room with games, a pool table, a tv and puzzles/board games" and "a small playground that would be better suited for older children."
Swimming facilities: Timothy Lake South offers swimming options for families. Visitors report the campground has "Standard amenities, like pool, hot tub, laundry, outdoor games a community fire pit etc." Ashley O. confirms her "kids explored the playground and found it sufficient."
Trash management: Some parks require guests to transport trash to designated areas. At Pleasant Acres, Janelle G. warns "The garbage situation was the worst. Most campsites have a service, they tell you to leave it at a specific location by a certain time or they have many garbage cans throughout. This place had their garbage and recycling very far away."
Tips from RVers
Access challenges: Tri-State RV Park provides convenient highway access but with drawbacks. Michael H. notes it's "Located just off the highway so lots of vehicle noise 24/7. Sites are on a gravel lot." Dave B. adds it's "Easy on and off on I 84. Great place to pull in for the night if you are traveling."
NYC travel preparations: When traveling to Liberty Harbor, plan your route carefully. Joe R. advises, "Getting in and out of the city is an adventure. Stay right off the highway to avoid the $30 tunnel toll. Follow RV life pro and not Waze."
Winterization considerations: Black Bear RV Park in Florida, NY offers year-round service but with seasonal limitations. Gabbie Y. warns winter visitors that "some sites might not have working water" during cold weather, noting "the heated water pipe was broken so we had no water for the night."
Advance reservations required: During peak seasons, campgrounds fill quickly. At Timothy Lake South, despite being first-come, first-serve, Gayle B. found "there were many sites available and they were all good sizes" during the off-season in May, but summer months see much higher occupancy.
