Camping options near Cedar Grove, New Jersey range from rustic mountain sites to more developed campgrounds with amenities. The area sits at the northern edge of the Newark Basin, with elevations ranging from 200-500 feet in most camping areas. Seasonal considerations impact campground availability, with most facilities operating from April through October when average temperatures range from 60-85°F during camping season.
What to do
Hiking opportunities: Beaver Pond Campground offers access to numerous trails in Harriman State Park. "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," notes Rebecca S., highlighting the timing advantage for trail access.
Water activities: Panther Lake Camping Resort features a substantial lake for swimming, fishing, and boating. "Big campground, lots of sites, nice pool, big community hot tub, boating is great, good fishing, nice playground, basketball court and great amenities," according to Richard V.
City exploration: Use campgrounds as a base for visiting NYC. At Liberty Harbor RV Park, "There is a ferry 100-yards away that takes you to Wall Street M-F. There is a great market about 1/4 of a mile away, and the path that can take you to WTC or 33rd Street area is only a mile away," explains Shawn B.
Outdoor education: Several campgrounds offer ranger-led programs during summer months. At Sebago Cabin Camp, visitors can participate in "movie nights they do big bon 🔥 on Saturday very kid friendly ranger Joe is 👌 with the kids," as Hashim C. mentions.
What campers like
Budget-friendly options: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers affordable camping with good amenities. One visitor noted it as "Very cheap as well. $15/night on Memorial Day weekend! You won't be disappointed!" according to Christina L.
Privacy and space: Campers appreciate sites that provide separation from neighbors. At Beaver Pond, "The biggest positive about Beaver Pond is how spread out it was. You definitely feel like you have your own space and are not camping on top of your neighbor," according to Ethan K.
Urban accessibility: The convenience of reaching New York City attractions while camping draws many visitors. Karen S. notes that Liberty Harbor has "2 ferries that run to Manhattan. Path train is a 12 minute walk away that will take you to Manhattan. Jersey city has a lot of restaurants and bars walking distance."
Rustic camping: For those seeking a more primitive experience, Campgaw Mountain Reservation offers basic sites. Jake R. notes, "Once the sun goes down, the campsite becomes a ghost town... There was also plenty to do during the day, like joining the hikers on those trails, disc golf, and sitting by the water."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the region have limited operating seasons. Sebago Cabin Camp is typically open during summer months, with one visitor mentioning "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."
Varying amenities: Facilities differ significantly between campgrounds. At Cheesequake State Park, "The campsites are basic. You get flat land and a fire ring. There is only one bathroom facility on the property which we did not love. The facilities were clean," according to Kendra P.
Noise levels: Urban-adjacent campgrounds often have traffic noise. At Cheesequake, "We camped here once because it was easy for part of our family to get to from NYC. Sites were a little too close together... If you're truly looking to get away from it all I would go elsewhere since the parkway runs through/over the park," reports Katrina Z.
Wildlife encounters: Bears and other wildlife are present in the area. At Panther Lake, "Only issue was a skunk that visited our campsite multiple times in one night. Was not afraid of humans," reports Colleen C.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Look for campgrounds with structured recreation. 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 grounds were fairly large and each campsite gets their own space with decent privacy," notes Ethan K.
Weekend considerations: Some campgrounds transform on weekends. At Panther Lake, "We went on 4th of July weekend so the place was packed. We were able to get a secluded spot in the woods which was great! 2 teenage girls had a blast in the lake and riding their bikes around," says Jojo P.
Lake options: Sebago Cabin Camp provides excellent swimming opportunities. "Sebago has a huge lake and great beach area. It was perfect for lounging and swimming in during a hot summer day," according to Ethan K., who also noted "It was definitely more on the pricier end for just a weekend camping getaway."
Educational possibilities: Several parks offer nature programs for children. At Sebago, "There's a few very cute small towns nearby with surprisingly modern restaurants and friendly people. In the same state park (Harriman) is several other lakes for swimming, hiking, and paddle boating (up the road)," mentions Sara P.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Liberty Harbor RV Park, "Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room. If it's packed, your neighbor with be within inches of your rig," advises Keith and Tia S.
Urban convenience: Some sites offer excellent city access despite basic facilities. "We spent 3 nights here last week. I was in NYC for business and we took our RV. Very convenient location. My wife visited Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The sites had electric and water and were in a fenced off section of the marina parking area," reports Kevin A.
Hookup arrangements: Note that some campgrounds have unusual utility setups. At Mahlon Dickerson, "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," reports antruze.
Seasonal considerations: Many RV campers note off-season stays provide better experiences at the best places to camp near Cedar Grove, New Jersey. As one visitor to Beaver Pond noted, "Clean and quiet. Trash dumpster is an easy walk and the dump station has a flush hose point. Nice and easy little campground."
