The upper Palisades region near Englewood sits at 200-400 feet above sea level, creating dramatic elevations for camping with eastward views toward New York City. The area's mixed deciduous forests provide natural shade at many campsites during summer months when temperatures typically range from 65-85°F. Winter camping options remain available at several locations that maintain year-round access despite the region's average 25-30 inches of annual snowfall.
What to do
Fishing at Swartswood State Park: Swartswood Lake offers bass, pickerel, and catfish fishing opportunities within a 40-minute drive from Englewood. The lake measures 500 acres with multiple fishing access points. "Clear streams and lake. Stunning overall. Lake Ocquittunk campground had showers, flush toilets and was popular with families," notes one visitor to Swartswood State Park Campground.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail: Access points to the famous trail system exist within several campgrounds near Englewood. Trail difficulties range from easy to challenging with elevation changes of 300-1000 feet. "There are 21 marked trails that cover over 63 miles within the boundaries of Stokes State Forest. Twelve miles are part of the Appalachian Trail," explains a camper who stayed at Stokes State Forest.
Water recreation at Round Valley: The reservoir spans 2,350 acres and reaches depths of 180 feet, providing swimming and boating options. Access requires planning as the sites are remote. "Well maintained campsites. Fire pit had a medal grate to cook on. Beautiful area. We paddled in, the water is very clean and crystal clear," reports a visitor to Round Valley State Park.
What campers like
Private wilderness sites: Several campgrounds offer secluded options for those seeking isolation. Sites range from easy access to challenging hike-in locations with varying amenities. "This is a great campground that is super private and quiet - great for getting out to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. It's a pretty strenuous hike, but you'll be rewarded for the effort," writes a visitor to Round Valley State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Many glamping sites near Englewood maintain well-kept bathrooms and common areas. Most update facilities annually before peak season. "Bath houses are absolutely spotless. Fire pits, electric and water hook ups only. Will return! Staff is friendly and helpful," notes a camper who stayed at West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region provides habitat for diverse wildlife including black bears, deer, and various bird species. Morning and evening hours offer best viewing times. "Three black bears strolled by the campsite next to ours in the early morning — gave us more of an energy boost after a sleepless night than our coffee!" shares a visitor about their experience at Swartswood State Park.
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: Multiple campgrounds report bear activity, requiring proper food storage. Most sites do not provide bear-proof containers. "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes," warns a reviewer at Stokes State Forest.
Varying reservation systems: Each campground maintains different booking policies, with most allowing reservations 6-12 months in advance. Holiday weekends fill quickly. "We 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," explains a camper at High Point State Park Campground.
Cell service limitations: Many camping areas have minimal or no cellular coverage. WiFi access points exist at some locations but with restricted range. "Love the place! People were nice. Bathrooms were clean. Only issue is the internet is terrible u have to be near the wifi zones," reports a visitor to Panther Lake Camping Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several glamping options close to Englewood include specialized children's activities and facilities. Programming varies seasonally with most activities concentrated on weekends. "Fun camping place to book groups. Very kid and pet friendly, lake to fish and kayak on, lots of activities, great pool and awesome hot tub," shares a visitor to Panther Lake Camping Resort.
Platform tent options: Some sites provide raised platforms for easier family tent setup. These typically measure 10-12 feet square and accommodate standard family tents. "Each large campsite has a picnic table, fire pit, and lantern hook. Some sites also have a tent platform. Many sites are a bit rocky," notes a camper at Stokes State Forest.
Lake swimming access: Family-friendly swimming areas with designated beaches exist at multiple locations. Most open from Memorial Day through Labor Day with lifeguards. "The lake is beautiful! Great for swimming and fishing. There are several trail hikes that you can do from the campsite. The longest is 3 miles but you can connect between each trail to make a longer hike," explains a reviewer at Swartswood State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness challenges: RV campers report varying degrees of site levelness at campgrounds near Englewood. Bringing leveling blocks is recommended for most locations. "Sites are level padded sites with electric and water. Very clean and quiet. Website lists water hook ups at long distances but they have hose reels to help with that," advises an RVer who stayed at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Full hookup availability: Several glamping sites within an hour of Englewood provide complete RV hookups including water, electric and sewer. Amperage varies by location from 30-50 amp service. "We stayed at site 15 on Lake Ocquittunk. While making reservations it said almost all sites were full but upon arrival the vast majority of sites were empty which made for a quiet/relaxing night," reports a visitor to Great Divide Campground.
Challenging interior roads: Some campgrounds feature narrow or steep access roads that present challenges for larger RVs. Maximum recommended lengths range from 25-40 feet depending on location. "The RV sites aren't level. Showers are at the day use area, from 10-5:30, no trailer dump, website says laundry, but apparently not," notes an RVer at High Point State Park.
