Campsites near Fort Lee, New Jersey offer options for campers seeking overnight stays within reach of New York City. The area sits at the junction of the Hudson and Hackensack Rivers, with elevations ranging from sea level to 400 feet in the nearby Palisades. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from April through October, though winter camping can be found at select locations like Black Bear RV Park.
What to do
Statue of Liberty access: Liberty Harbor RV Park provides proximity to Lady Liberty tours. "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. Shopping & restraunts are right next door. We brought scooters & had a great stay! Plus you can see the Statue of Liberty from there!" notes Emily L.
Hiking trails: Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park offers direct trail access. "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," shares Steve W. The campground connects to sections of the Appalachian Trail and historical paths dating to the 1770s.
Water activities: Rent boats at Harriman State Park or fish in multiple lakes. "There is another lake and two ponds that our neighbor campers said were great for catching panfish - one fisherman said he had caught several bass weighing over 3 pounds!!" explains Shelly B. Swimming beaches at campgrounds typically operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
What campers like
Proximity to NYC: Urban escapes within an hour of Manhattan. "This is a pricey park, but options are limited. As in almost non existent. This is a prime location for visiting the city or heading down the shore. The light rail is a block away, and the path train is about 8," explains Joe R. from Liberty Harbor.
Secluded wooded sites: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers quiet forest camping. "Our site is easily the nicest- all the way in the back with only one neighbor. It is so quiet here. 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," reports Greg S.
Off-season camping: Lower rates and fewer crowds in spring and fall. "We stayed here on a Thursday night in September prior to taking off backpacking. The campground was clean and quiet. 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. about Beaver Pond.
What you should know
Waterfront views changed: Skyline RV Camp has relocated from its original location. "Be advised that Skyline RV Camp has moved to 50 Noble St, Brooklyn, NY 11222. The original property location at 2 Oak St was sold and is now private property. There no longer is a waterfront view of the NYC skyline when camping at Skyline RV. The website views are misleading," warns John T.
Limited bathroom facilities: Some parks have minimal facilities. "There was only 1 bathroom with small shower for all guests, however they are in the process of adding 5 more. The only bathroom did have toilet paper, a garbage can and hand soap for the sink, but no paper towels to dry your hands and no shelves, hooks, or benches to put your things while you shower," reports Arlene S.
Wildlife awareness: Bears frequent certain campgrounds. "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... He offers us a highlighted map to our site, wishes us a good stay, and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area," recounts Steve W. at Beaver Pond. Follow posted guidelines for food storage.
Tips for camping with families
Educational experiences: Combine camping with history lessons. "A stones throw from NYC this beautiful area combines Lake Welch and Harriman State Park. This camp ground is laid back away from the busy activity of the big city. If you want to get away and relax you can come here to walk, swim and camp," explains Brian O. from Beaver Pond Campground.
Farm animal interactions: Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort offers livestock encounters. "Good family fun though! Plenty to occupy the kids. Playground, hayride, animals to feed (goats, chickens, donkey and pony). There were some organized activities which was nice," reports Janelle G. Activities run weekends from May through October.
Weekend activity planning: Campground noise levels vary by day. "During quiet hours (10pm-7am) on both Friday and Saturday nights... I would recommend this campground to those looking for a quick trip out of the city, to people new to camping, or to use as a base to explore the Hudson River Valley if you have a personal vehicle," suggests Jess M.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Black Bear RV Park offers full hookups for larger rigs. "Have stayed here several times - great location and nice, full hook-up sites. Back-in and pull through sites and can accommodate large rigs. A little expensive but everything is included," notes Dave S. Most sites accommodate RVs up to 40 feet.
Utility connections: Water access varies by campground. "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," explains a camper at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation. Check connection distances before arrival.
Transportation options: Plan alternate travel from camp to city. "I would give this place a 5-star review based on how convenient everything was. 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," writes Shawn B. about Liberty Harbor. Many RVers avoid driving into Manhattan due to size restrictions and toll costs.
