Camping sites near Glen Rock, New Jersey offer varied terrain from the Hudson River Valley to elevated mountain spots across northern New Jersey and southern New York. The region sits where the Ramapo Mountains meet the Hudson Highlands, with elevations ranging from 100 to 1,400 feet. Most campsites experience warm summers with highs around 85°F and cooler spring and fall conditions that can drop to the 40s at night.
What to do
Hiking at multiple difficulty levels: Campgaw Mountain Reservation offers trails suitable for beginners while providing more challenging options. "Short distance from the NYC, very organized, clean pond, has a playground, showers, bathroom. Your phone will have signal," notes one visitor to Croton Point Park.
Swimming in lake waters: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas with lifeguard supervision during summer months. At Beaver Pond Campground, "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."
Historical exploration: Revolutionary War sites dot the region with marked trails. "A quick 15 minute drive from Beaver Pond, is Bear Mountain State Park. Here you can find some of the Appalachian Trail, with various smaller trail heads for this historic (Revolutionary Times 1770s) part of the region including the one to Doodle Town."
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Many campers appreciate the raised platforms at several campgrounds. As one visitor noted about Beaver Pond, "The biggest positive about Beaver Pond is how spread out it was. You definitely feel like you have your own space and are not camping on top of your neighbor. Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained."
Primitive options for solitude: For those seeking more remote camping, Stonetown Circular trail Primitive #1 offers backcountry sites. "This site is about 2 miles into the hike. This is a great spot to set up camp because it has a wide area and an amazing view. You will find the site right next to the American Flag at the top of the mountain."
Affordable options: Budget-friendly camping exists within an hour of Glen Rock. Beaver Pond Campground offers sites at reasonable rates, with one camper noting, "Camping for just $15. This is an off-grid camping experience. You can use your generator at certain hours. They have a beach. Their staff is friendly."
What you should know
Bear safety protocols: The area has active black bear populations requiring proper food storage. At Beaver Pond, a ranger's warning is typical: "'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... and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area."
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance booking, especially during summer weekends. For The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center, "This camp is run by AMC (The Appalachian Mountain Club), you don't have to be a member to use the facillity but you get better rates."
Seasonal operations: Many campgrounds have limited seasonal availability. One visitor to Beaver Pond noted, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, facilities include "a playground for the kids" and easy access to nature trails suitable for various ages and abilities.
Safety considerations: Families should research the difficulty of trails before planning hikes with children. For the Stonetown Circular trail, a visitor advises, "The only difficult thing about this site is that it is at the top of a fairly difficult rock scramble. I would advise packing light if making camp at this site because a heavy pack would make this scramble up the mountain even harder."
Water activities: Kids enjoy the supervised swimming areas available at several parks during summer months. At Croton Point Park, one camper mentions a "private beach which is opened from Wednesday to the weekend with life guards on duty!" Perfect for summer family outings.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: RV campers recommend specific sites for better experiences. At Liberty Harbor RV Park, "Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room. If it's packed, your neighbor with be within inches of your rig."
Hookup information: Water and electrical hookups vary by campground. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, "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."
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have restrictions on RV size and access. "Very easy to navigate our 38 ft. RV. Easy to dump and fill. Peaceful. Close to train to N.Y. City," notes a visitor to Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, highlighting the important balance of campground accessibility and urban proximity that makes camping near Glen Rock convenient.
