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 Cresskill, NJ
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Camping areas around Cresskill, New Jersey include both developed facilities and more natural settings within an hour's drive. Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park offers tent and RV camping with electric hookups, fire rings, and shower facilities about 20 miles northwest of Cresskill. Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson provides year-round camping with tent sites, RV spaces, and cabin accommodations approximately 15 miles north along the Hudson River. Liberty Harbor RV Park in Jersey City represents one of the closest options to Cresskill, offering 90 RV sites with electric and water hookups in an urban setting with views of the Manhattan skyline.
The camping season varies considerably across the region, with some campgrounds operating year-round while others maintain limited schedules. Beaver Pond Campground typically operates from late April through early October, making it unavailable during winter months. Several campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends when facilities reach capacity quickly. Camp Glen Gray and Campgaw Mountain Reservation in nearby New Jersey provide additional options with varying amenities and reservation systems. Fire regulations differ by location, with some campgrounds permitting campfires in designated rings while others prohibit open flames entirely. A review of Harriman State Park noted that "Welcome to Bear Mountain" grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! He is in his ranger hut, checking in the late evening arrivals to the campground."
Waterfront camping ranks high among visitor preferences in the region. Croton Point Park offers Hudson River access and views, making it a popular destination during warmer months. The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center provides boat-in access and lakeside camping that consistently receives positive reviews. Several visitors highlight wildlife encounters as memorable experiences when camping near Cresskill. As one camper reported, "Campsites are fully shaded and include a picnic table, fire ring, and hook to hang food supplies from (away from wildlife). The site was well kept and clean." Urban camping options like Liberty Harbor RV Park offer a unique experience with proximity to New York City attractions, while woodland settings in the surrounding state parks provide more traditional nature-based camping experiences with trails and water activities.
Best Campgrounds near Cresskill (78)
1. 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 Availability2. Liberty Harbor RV Park
"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."
from $145 - $180 / night
Check Availability3. Croton Point Park
"Tent sites are very private with some dirt roads to exit out but thats what make it unique experience! Bathrooms with shower is near by and has plenty porta potties all around."
"Was close to bear mountains state part and the train station is right there!"
from $30 - $60 / 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 $130 / night
Check Availability5. 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 👍🏽"
6. Skyline RV Camp - Waterfront
"A little intimidating driving in to a nondescript gate at the end of a narrow street but the overall experience exceeded expectation."
from $130 / night
Check Availability7. 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 Availability8. Campgaw Mountain Reservation
9. Skyline RV Camp - Non-Waterfront
from $85 - $120 / night
Check Availability10. Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground
"When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot."
"We were right next to the entrance for hiking trails which was convenient. The facilities are a bit of a walk, but that means it is spread out and there's plenty of room to relax and have fun."
from $17 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 14 min from New York, NY
- 35 min from Kiryas Joel, NY
- 1 hr from Bridgeport, CT
- 1 hr 16 min from New Haven, CT
Recent Camping Photos near Cresskill, NJ
276 Photos of 78 Cresskill Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Campgaw Mountain Reservation
Croton Point Park
Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park
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Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
Wawayanda Group Shelter
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Recent Reviews near Cresskill, NJ
497 Reviews of 78 Cresskill 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.
- JJoyceScout
Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park
Bare bones
No hookups. It was wooded, quiet and dark at night. I used the dump station on my way out. The first time I ever saw a poop fountain. The sewer opening sticks up above ground level. The cover swivels away, so I couldn't put it on top of my hose. And then, when I tried to rinse it, there was nowhere for it to go, because the inlet is elevated.
- Sue B.Ranger
Wawayanda Group Shelter
Appalachian Trail Shelter/Campsite
This is an A.T. shelter and campsite. First come, first served. Privy was nice. Flat tentsites for 6 or more. Good for Hammocking also.
Guide to Cresskill
Camping options near Cresskill, New Jersey range from lakeside platforms to urban RV parks within convenient driving distance. The region sits at the junction of the Palisades and Ramapo Mountains, with elevations ranging from 200-1,100 feet. Many camping areas experience seasonal closures between November and April due to northeastern weather patterns, though some facilities maintain year-round operations with reduced services.
What to do
Hike and swim at multiple lakes: At Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park, trails connect to swimming options at Welch Lake. "About 30 minutes from sleepy hollow and tarrytown NY and only an hour to central park! Deer running everywhere and surprisingly beautiful and quaint. Free Hot showers in the bathrooms, with plenty of room to change," notes Megan B.
Visit nearby historic sites: Croton Point Park serves as a central base for exploring Revolutionary War landmarks in the region. "We came in October to celebrate Halloween in sleepy hollow! This is a great campsite and reasonably priced. Was close to bear mountains state park and the train station is right there!" writes Wendy C.
Off-season camping advantages: Several campsites near Cresskill offer significantly quieter experiences outside summer months. "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. Expect to purchase firewood, although scrounging for kindling was possible," reports Rebecca S.
What campers like
Platform tent sites for weather protection: The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center — Harriman State Park offers elevated tent platforms that campers consistently rate highly. "I camped on one of the platforms, which was very nice and did not feel crowded even with other people on neighboring platforms. One highlight was having meals cooked by the stellar chef," notes Ilya F.
Public transportation access: Some campgrounds near Cresskill offer shuttle services from train stations. "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)," explains Ilya F.
Rustic cabin options: Sebago Cabin Camp — Harriman State Park provides basic shelter with some amenities. "These cabins are VERY rustic, four walls, a cot, and a fridge. You still feel like you are 'roughing it' but with the convenience of a fridge. Absolutely zero phone service (for T-Mobile) which was AMAZING," reports Sara P.
What you should know
Bear activity awareness: Wildlife encounters require proper preparation at campsites near Cresskill. "The site was well kept and clean. Be mindful of putting food and garbage away before sleeping. Wildlife do roam around your campsite," warns Kelvin at Beaver Pond.
Reservation complexity varies: Some campgrounds require phone reservations with unusual procedures. At Croton Point Park, "The reservation process is a bit wonky. You need to call (no online reservations) and then wait for an e-mail, but the e-mail does not tell you your assigned site; you have to wait until you check in," reports Lee D.
Urban camping limitations: RV options near Manhattan impose restrictions and higher costs. "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. If it's packed, your neighbor will be within inches of your rig," notes Keith and Tia S. about Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Select campgrounds with playground access: Certain campsites near Cresskill include child-friendly amenities. "Short distance from NYC, very organized, clean pond, has a playground, showers, bathroom. Your phone will have signal," recommends Zorina N.
Consider lake access options: Camp Glen Gray provides water activities suitable for families. "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," shares Christopher M.
Schedule around weekend noise levels: Noise patterns at campgrounds near Cresskill follow predictable patterns. "There is a constant buzz in the air of conversation, music, laughter and shrieking toddlers. Quiet time at night is laughable as the enjoyment of being in nature rages on into the early morning," reports Steve W.
Tips from RVers
Choose urban access over natural settings: Liberty Harbor RV Park offers proximity to Manhattan despite basic conditions. "This is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC. Pluses, minutes walk to the Statue of Liberty, liberty Science center. Two blocks away from NJ Path train into Manhattan or take the ferry to Wall Street!" explains Keith and Tia S.
Expect security protocols: RV parks closer to urban areas implement different check-in procedures. "When we checked in, we had to write down our credit card number on a slip of paper before we were given a key that opened the gate to the campground," notes Lee D.
Consider alternative waterfront options: Some newer RV options provide skyline views. "The views of the city are spectacular, but the place itself is what I would call very rustic/primitive/not lovely. A day later, two days later, they texted us that we were late checking in. They had another mixup," cautions Arlene S.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Cresskill, NJ?
What camping is available near Cresskill, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Cresskill, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 78 campgrounds and RV parks near Cresskill, NJ and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Cresskill, NJ?
Which is the most popular campground near Cresskill, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cresskill, NJ is Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park with a 4.2-star rating from 41 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cresskill, NJ?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cresskill, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Cresskill, NJ.
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