Equestrian camping options near Franklin Lakes, New Jersey remain limited, with most campgrounds focusing on standard tent, RV, and cabin accommodations. The region sits within the Ramapo Mountains with elevations ranging from 300 to 1,000 feet. Weather patterns typically include humid summers averaging 85°F and winters dropping to below freezing, requiring appropriate camping gear regardless of season.
What to do
Hiking the Appalachian Trail sections: Access the iconic trail from Camp Mohican Outdoor Center where "the AT runs right through the camp." One camper noted that "the lodge has bathrooms and a small store. You can rent kayaks and canoes and swimming is allowed on Catfish Pond -- plenty of fish, snapping turtles, and other wildlife."
Kayaking at nearby lakes: Multiple reservoirs provide paddling opportunities. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, "boats/kayaks can be rented" and one visitor suggests "taking a kayak around the lake and filling it with wild blueberries" if camping during summer months.
Winter camping experiences: For cold-weather enthusiasts, several campgrounds remain open year-round. A camper at Stokes State Forest shared that "I rented a cabin in November (#009) and again in December (#008) of 2021" and "you need that wood stove to heat up the cabin. Turning on the oven is a help, but not a good solution."
What campers like
Water access for fishing: Many campsites offer direct waterfront locations. At Ocquittunk, "we stayed at site #T007 is was a short walk from the car to the site, but so worth it for many reasons. The site itself is huge and we were able to position our tent facing the lake, it was beautiful!"
Spacious campsites: Larger groups appreciate the generous site layouts. One camper mentioned that at Ocquittunk, "campsite was very spacious and had a platform where we were able to fit two tents. There was plenty of space on the site for more tents."
Night sky viewing: Rural locations provide excellent stargazing opportunities. A visitor to Camp Starry Night at Gulyan Farms reported "the stars and moon were absolutely amazing. We got some great night shots and the moon is so bright it actually looks like the sun in the photos."
What you should know
Limited equestrian facilities: Horse camping near Franklin Lakes requires planning ahead. No dedicated equestrian campgrounds with corrals exist in the immediate vicinity, though day riding may be possible on certain trails.
Bathroom conditions vary widely: Facility maintenance differs between campgrounds. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, one camper warned "the bathrooms were absolutely disgusting. I thought with COVID they were cleaning them more, but for the entire weekend, someone's #2 remained all over the toilet, floor, and corner wall."
Noise considerations: Proximity to highways affects some camping experiences. A Spruce Run camper noted "late at night you can hear the drone of a major highway" while another mentioned that weekends bring more activity: "There were a decent amount of people on Friday, but significantly more on Saturday."
Tips for camping with families
Platform tents for beginners: Families new to camping might consider Liberty Harbor RV Park where "there is only a small place for tents. Mostly people go there with campers. Not your typical campground. Very easy to hop on transit to get to New York City. People were friendly."
Playground access: Children need activity options. Spruce Run Recreation Area offers "several playgrounds, boat launches, and life guarded swimming area" which keeps younger campers engaged.
Consider cabin options: For families uncomfortable with tent camping, Stokes State Forest provides cabins that "are reasonably priced and well-appointed, if a bit rustic. The interior features are just what you'd expect for getting away for the weekend. The main room has a bunk bed and two twins, a table with benches, two Adirondack chairs, a wood stove set into a fireplace."
Tips from RVers
Urban RV camping challenges: For those wanting to combine city visits with camping, Liberty Harbor RV Park offers unique positioning but comes with caveats. One RVer explained: "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."
Site selection strategies: RVers should research specific site attributes. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, "if bringing your RV, the safest bet is to reserve a spot with no shade as the other spots often times have very low hanging tree limbs."
Hook-up availability: Power and water connections are inconsistent throughout the region. One RVer at Spruce Run noted "we luckily have some solar so we can go for awhile without running the generator. We fill our fresh water tank for and bring drinking water."
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