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Best Campgrounds near Cranford, NJ

704 Reviews

Cranford, New Jersey provides access to several established campgrounds within driving distance of the city. Cheesequake State Park Campground, located about 20 miles south, offers tent and RV camping with electric hookups and shower facilities. Liberty Harbor RV Park in Jersey City serves as one of the closest camping options to New York City, featuring full hookups for RVs and limited tent camping. Other nearby options include Sandy Hook at Gateway National Recreation Area and Turkey Swamp Park, which provide a mix of tent, RV, and cabin accommodations. Most campgrounds in this region are developed sites rather than primitive camping areas.

Seasonal camping in the area typically runs from April through October, with many campgrounds closing during winter months. Cheesequake State Park operates from April 1 to October 31, while Turkey Swamp Park extends slightly longer from April 1 to November 15. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend stays during summer months when sites fill quickly. The region experiences humid summers and cold winters, making spring and fall ideal camping seasons. Access to most campgrounds is straightforward via paved roads, though some sites may have limited availability for larger rigs. One camper noted of Cheesequake, "This is a great site for those who are not avid campers. It's close to town if you forget something and it has all the facilities you may need."

The proximity to urban areas makes these campgrounds unique compared to more remote destinations. Liberty Harbor RV Park provides direct access to Manhattan via ferry and public transportation, though several visitors mention it's essentially "a parking lot with water and electric hookups." Pleasant Valley Lavender offers a more pastoral setting for tent camping. The campgrounds near Cranford generally receive moderate to good ratings, with visitors appreciating the convenience while acknowledging limitations. Noise can be a factor at some locations, particularly those near highways. According to one visitor at Cheesequake, "The parkway runs through/over the park, you will be able to hear traffic noises. That said, this is probably a great place for those who have not camped before, it's easy to get to and close to civilization."

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Best Camping Sites Near Cranford, New Jersey (106)

    1. Cheesequake State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Matawan, NJ
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (732) 566-2161

    $200 / night

    "I stayed at Cheesequake at the beginning of August and had a very positive experience."

    "This park is on the list of 50 top NJ Hikes, and it has a few great trails. The trails range from easy to moderate with quite a few lookout locations."

    2. Liberty Harbor RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Jersey City, NJ
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (201) 516-7500

    $149 / night

    "This is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC. It's basically a parking lot with a dump station. Not much else. Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room."

    "Basicly a parking lot, but the location can't be beat. 2 ferries that run to Manhattan. Path train is a 12 minute walk away that will take you yyo manhatten."

    3. Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area

    19 Reviews
    Atlantic Highlands, NJ
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (347) 630-1124

    $30 - $150 / night

    "Once you are there, you can walk right across the street to a bayside inlet and sandy shore that is not highly trafficked because no one can park there except those using the campground."

    "Rangers at the entrance regulate admittance thus, providing a safe environment within the confines of the base."

    4. Staten Island — Gateway National Recreation Area - CLOSED for 2025

    4 Reviews
    Bayonne, NY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (718) 354-4655

    $30 / night

    "You have a clear view of the Narrow bridge and at night the city lights light up your surroundings light a nigh light. The camp here has 7 campsites here and it fill up really fast."

    "this place is awesome when it comes to finding an affordable place to stay while in NY, this camp ground isnt your usual forest camp sites, however there are some beautiful views, and it is located in"

    5. Collective Governors Island

    5 Reviews
    Jersey City, NY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 445-2033

    $529 - $1200 / night

    "The article also mentions the benefits of camping on Governor Island, such as feeling close to nature, relaxing and enjoying a peaceful space, away from the noise of the city."

    6. Round Valley State Park Campground

    25 Reviews
    Lebanon, NJ
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (908) 236-6355

    "The crystal-clear water is home to huge lake trout and the forests are bursting with wildlife. The sunsets across the lake are to die for."

    "Once you get to the campground trail it’s pretty easy going on asphalt surface."

    7. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation

    18 Reviews
    Jefferson, NJ
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 697-3140

    "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."

    8. Turkey Swamp Park

    28 Reviews
    Freehold, NJ
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (732) 462-7286

    $42 - $79 / night

    "   We stayed in New Jersey for our 5th campground on the East Coast: Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold. This is a County park.

     Near some Revolutionary War battlefields.

     I really liked this park!"

    "Heavily wooded and supremely quiet, it’s located not far from anywhere you’d want to be. 30 minutes to the shore. Every site is a pull-through, large and spacious with great woodland views. 30amp and"

    9. Pleasant Valley Lavender

    1 Review
    Aberdeen, NJ
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (732) 740-4832

    $35 - $50 / night

    "So pleasant to sleep near the blooming fields. Campsite is tucked in the woods with. Tent camping in peace and quiet with easy access to major roads and highways to explore central NJ"

    10. Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park

    41 Reviews
    Pomona, NY
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 947-2792

    $17 - $20 / night

    "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."

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Recent Camping Photos near Cranford, NJ

425 Photos of 106 Cranford Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Cranford, NJ

704 Reviews of 106 Cranford Campgrounds

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Round Valley State Park Campground

    Get Your Hard-Core Hiking In To Enjoy This CG

    Located just south of I78 and near the small hamlets of Clinton and Lebanon, what I love most about Round Valley SP is the fact that it has its very own eponymous fresh water reservoir, which spanning some 2,350 acres and is 180 feed deep in the middle, this body of water provides a solid amount of upside for anyone wanting to kayak, canoe or swim. One of the greatest assets at this particular SP CG are the wonderful rangers who keep this place in such tip-top condition year-round. From the North Picnic Area, Bray’s Hill Preserve and Round Valley Beachhead to the East Picnic Area, Round Valley Farm on the eastern side of the reservoir as well as Round Valley Rec Area, there’s a lot to explore at this SP.

    One interesting fact about this place– believe it or not– it is the only NJ SP that actually offers up true wilderness camping(a.k.a. primitive), which can only be accessed by hiking 3 to 6 miles– or if you come with your own boat, you can access by water– and can be found on the SE corner of the reservoir. There is a second area nearby called Spruce Run Recreation Area that can be accessed by driving to this location, which is on the other side of I78 NW of Round Valley SP. That said, if you’re looking to camp here at Round Valley, I highly recommend you boat in as the hiking path is incredibly difficult to manage without hauling all of your camping gear, so coming in with a ton of gear is even more difficult/ prohibitive.

    When you finally do arrive to this primitive CG immersed in NJ’s thick wild foliage, you’ll experience waterfront bliss with a crystalline bevy of trout-infused reservoir water, and you won’t get much in the way of amenities, apart from a few random water pumps and some rocks piled in a circle that, um, I guess makes up a fire ring. While there are backwoods-style bathroom pits, these are very ill-managed and you’ll come across the‘stank’ well before actually even arriving here, so we just didn’t use them. There’s picnic tables, but the one we had was in pretty rough condition. The thing I found odd about the place is that after hiking so far in to get to this location, you’re not allowed to swim in the reservoir, which kind of defeats the entire point IMHO. That said, the views are amazing and because there’s nothing else in these parts, you will experience true peace in nature.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few:(1) Whether hiking or kayaking to this CG, you will want to bring as little with you as possible– packing too much to come here just isn’t worth the work;(2) We found parking in the Southern Lot to be perfectly fine and while we were initially worried about leaving our vehicle parked there for a few nights, we were reassured by the park rangers who patrol the lot constantly;(3) While the water in the reservoir may look crystal clear, it is not crystal clean and I would STRONGLY encourage anyone who thinks that it is OK to drink from the reservoir to at least use a Life Straw to ensure they don’t get sick;(4) I have hiked throughout the entire US and consider myself somewhere between a moderate to skilled hiker and I found these trails challenging and uneven, so while the hike we made was only 3 miles, it was not easy and I would be worried about someone breaking an ankle getting to this CG– so at a minimum, ensure you are wearing proper hiking boots. Seriously, for what this SP puts you through to access this CG one really needs to question why they’re being charged anything at all in the first place.

    Happy Camping!

  • J
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Turkey Swamp Park

    Fantastic camping ground

    We went camping with our 2- and 3-year-old kids. We were worried about bugs, but we didn’t even use mosquito repellent and didn’t get a single bite! The campground was super clean too. It was perfect!

  • Damia F.
    Aug. 29, 2025

    High Point State Park Campground

    Relaxing and Well-Maintained

    Stayed 2 nights and it was really nice. Camping for summer is pretty limited to Sawmill Lake, as the other locations are for groups or winter camping. Camps are secluded from each other and most if not all have an elevated space to put tents or chairs. Each place comes with a lamp hang, a fire pit, and a picnic table. Bathrooms are spaced out. No running water except for pump founded outside of the bathrooms. Toilets are pump flushed. Showers are only located INSIDE High Point State Park, not throughout the campsites, but entry is free for campers. One hiking trail is accessible in Sawmill campground, 3 others are accessible on the road outside of the campground and the rest are located inside the park. When you arrive you have to check in with the park office for your campsite tag. Hours are 8-4. Park officials come through the campsites pretty regularly, a few times a day which is nice. Areas are clean and well maintained.

  • Paul K.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Croton Point Park

    Not the Best Place to Go in the Northeast By a Longshot

    Croton Point Campground is a modest little campground, located along the Hudson River within Croton Point Park in NY. In addition to camping, the park itself offers many of its own attractions, including swimming, hiking, kayaking, cabin rentals, and a host of other family-oriented activities just along the Hudson. 

    The park, which is honestly probably the largest attraction here, is located just an hour and a half outside of the city. This proximity is both its perk and its downfall, as the park itself, but particularly the campground, has become laden with all sorts of inexplicable and burdensome rules, endless guidelines, and restrictions only a New York State-run bureaucracy could ever make sense of, let alone hope to justify. 

    This includes all manner of restrictions on how you can camp, where you can camp, what equipment can be used, and use in relation to what particular site you may have been lucky enough to reserve. Much of this you can understand while imagining what may have taken place here to bring them to such measures, but it doesn't make it any easier to contend with. 

    In terms of the actual camping conditions Both the tenting section and RV sites are each very clustered together, and quite crowded, with regular patrols🚓(actual patrols) being made day and night, by both the Park Rangers and what appears to be general park staff members, all looking to see if you or your family might be doing something that they might consider outside of the guidelines or not in compliance with the many restrictions. 

    This is not to say you can't possibly have a good time here. It just might mean being a bit more diligent toward reviewing the potential legitimacy of your normal camping routine to ensure it meets with many restrictions and guidelines imposed, while also making yourself comfortable with some fairly regular surveillance during your stay here. These all being things we hoped to get away from while camping ourselves It just turned out to be a bit much for our particular liking.

  • Adeline M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Worthington State Forest Campground — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

    Nice campground loud campers

    Great open spot with some shade, depending on when you go we have noticed there tends to be a lot of loud disrespectful people who are there to party not camp. It’s nice to be on the Delaware and not many campgrounds have water access or a boat ramp so that’s a plus. Showers, sinks, and toilets are available.

  • Bob F.
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Moon Valley Campground

    Very unique smaller private campground

    This was a great campsite nestled in the foothills of Northern NJ on the NY border. Small, clean with great views and great location for hiking , cruising etc. Bring your tent or use the existing glamping tents. Headed back for a fall weekend in the "dome" which has incredible views. Try it you won't be sorry.

  • Carrie H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2025

    Panther Lake Camping Resort

    Horrid showers

    Probably the worst shower ever. The lights are timed. The water is a button. The space is small as hell.

  • Dan M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 30, 2025

    Worthington State Forest Campground — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

    Good for the river

    It’s on the Delaware so that’s nice, but being so attracts a lot of tourists. Which seems like most of them never have any courtesy for other campers. Always a few sites blasting music till late hours. Cars speeding around the campsite. In the three weekends we’ve been here the park rangers only patrolled one night each time.

  • Howard P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2025

    Adventure Bound Camping (Tall Pines)

    Beautiful and family oriented

    My wife and I, residing near the Commodore Barry, sought a brief respite. Our thirteen-year-old son was unable to join us, so we proceeded without him. We secured site 53, a deluxe site offering ample space for our 29VBUD and Ram. The site was level and meticulously maintained, as were the dirt roads. The atmosphere was tranquil and relaxing. Numerous children and abundant activities kept them engaged. Our son truly missed a delightful experience. We departed on Sunday, but the serene ambiance almost prompted us to extend our stay. The sounds of families creating memories enhanced our enjoyment. We certainly plan to return when our grandson is older.

Guide to Cranford

Camping near Cranford, NJ, offers a great escape into nature with a variety of campgrounds to choose from. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of options that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the beautiful trails at Worthington State Forest Campground. Many campers enjoy the well-marked trails, with one reviewer noting, "The trails are nice and well marked."
  • Fishing: At Mountain Vista Campground, you can fish in their pond. A visitor mentioned, "Fishing pond, small arcade," highlighting the variety of activities available.
  • Swimming: While some campgrounds like Turkey Swamp Park don’t allow swimming, they do offer boat rentals for a fun day on the water. One camper said, "The lake has fishing & boat rentals."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A review for Camp Taylor Campground states, "Bathrooms were very clean and shower area as well."
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors rave about the helpfulness of the staff. One camper at Beaver Pond Campground shared, "The staff person... is so sweet! She picked a site for us suitable to our vehicle."
  • Privacy: Campers enjoy the spacious sites that offer a sense of seclusion. A review for Mahlon Dickerson Reservation mentions, "The sites are spaced well and have a nice bonus of large fire rings set back in the woods."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds have strict noise policies. A visitor at High Point State Park Campground experienced issues with noise complaints, stating, "We received complaints about the volume of our music."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For instance, Worthington State Forest Campground lacks showers, which one camper noted as a downside: "Showers had hot water and nice ventilation."
  • Wildlife Precautions: Be aware of wildlife, especially bears. A camper at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation mentioned, "There are a lot of bear warnings here."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. At Mountain Vista Campground, one parent said, "Lots of stuff to do for kids including a game room."
  • Space for Play: Choose sites that allow for outdoor play. A review for Camp Taylor Campground highlights, "The kids immediately took to exploring the creek and woods behind our campsite."
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Make sure to respect quiet hours to keep the peace for everyone. A camper at Turkey Swamp Park appreciated the "peaceful family campground."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Ensure your RV fits the site. A review for Stokes State Forest mentions, "The campsites themselves are a little too close together in some spots."
  • Road Conditions: Be prepared for unpaved roads. A visitor at Turkey Swamp Park noted, "None of the roads are paved. All are packed sand."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups if needed. Camp Taylor Campground offers "electric and plants of woods."

Camping around Cranford, NJ, provides a mix of experiences, from serene nature to family-friendly fun. With options like Beaver Pond Campground and Mountain Vista Campground, you're sure to find the best camping near Cranford, NJ, that suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping options are available within a short drive of Cranford?

Within a short drive of Cranford, you'll find diverse camping options to suit different preferences. Butterfly Camping Resort offers family-friendly amenities including a large playground, scheduled activities for children, spacious sites with good privacy, and a fishing lake. For those seeking a more natural setting, Stephens State Park Campground provides a lovely woodland experience, though it may not accommodate larger RVs and has a no-pets policy for some sites.

Are there any campgrounds near Cranford?

Yes, several campgrounds are located within reasonable driving distance of Cranford. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation in the Skylands region offers paved, level sites with water and electric hookups, plus a dump station. The wooded campsites are spacious and perfect for hiking adventures. Another option is Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold, a county park featuring a 17-acre lake, hiking trails, and well-maintained campsites suitable for various camping styles.

What camping is available near Cranford, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, Cranford, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 106 campgrounds and RV parks near Cranford, NJ and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Cranford, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cranford, NJ is Cheesequake State Park Campground with a 3.7-star rating from 19 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cranford, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Cranford, NJ.

What parks are near Cranford, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Cranford, NJ that allow camping, notably Gateway National Recreation Area and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

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