Winding Hills Park
Nice but dated
Nice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
113 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping areas near Glen Rock, New Jersey range from developed campgrounds to primitive backcountry sites within a one-hour drive. The region includes Camp Glen Gray, a highly-rated established campground offering tent sites, cabins, and glamping options with amenities like picnic tables and fire rings. Campgaw Mountain Reservation provides free tent and RV sites with basic facilities and nearby hiking trails. Several campgrounds in Harriman State Park, approximately 30 miles northwest, offer additional camping opportunities including Sebago Cabin Camp and The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center with platform tent sites and cabin accommodations.
Permits and reservations are required for many campgrounds in the area, with advance booking strongly recommended during summer weekends. Most developed campgrounds operate seasonally, with Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park typically open from April through early October. Primitive camping along the Stonetown Circular Trail demands preparation for backcountry conditions and challenging terrain with limited facilities. For RV travelers, Liberty Harbor RV Park in Jersey City provides the closest access to New York City, though at premium rates with basic amenities. According to one visitor, "The Stonetown Circular trail is a 11 mile medium/high difficulty loop trail. This site is about 2 miles into the hike with a wide area and an amazing view, but it's at the top of a fairly difficult rock scramble."
Campers report that Sebago Cabin Camp provides an excellent balance of rustic accommodations with convenient access to lakes and hiking trails. The cabins offer basic amenities like refrigerators and cots while maintaining a wilderness feel. Camp Glen Gray receives consistently positive reviews for its rustic environment and hiking opportunities, with one camper noting it has "many hiking trails to choose from" and "cabins are always clean and stocked with firewood." The primitive sites along Stonetown Circular Trail provide more secluded experiences with scenic views, though require packing light due to difficult access. Water access remains a highlight at several campgrounds, particularly at Sebago with its "huge lake and great beach area" that visitors appreciate for swimming during hot summer days. Glen Rock campers can find diverse camping options suitable for both beginners seeking comfortable sites and experienced outdoor adventurers looking for more remote locations.
"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 $21 - $24 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability"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 Availability"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 Availability"Located in the Skylands of New Jersey, Mahlon Dickerson Campgound is a perfect place to spend a few nights or a couple of weeks. The campsites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large."
"It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities."
"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 👍🏽"
"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 Availability"Stonetown Circular trail is a 11 mile medium/high difficulty loop trail. This is the first of two primitive sites along the trail. The trailhead is across the street from a large parking lot."
"Stonetown Circular trail is a 11 mile medium/high difficulty loop trail. This is the second of two primitive sites along the trail. The trailhead is across the street from a large parking lot."












Nice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
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.
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.
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
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
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!
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.
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.
We reserved for a day. Very bad service. The river is super dirty and they did not even clean the trash cans. Besides, the fire ring has no grill cooking grate, so if you don’t bring your own NO GRILLING. Ryan was the person in front that took care of us, he was rude, my kids felt weird because he was not welcoming at all. Also, we try to ask for a partial refund since we did not felt comfortable since the beginning, and they said NO. We have experience camping, but this one was simply THE WORST. We lost the money but we won’t put our kids in a difficult situation. Thanks.
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.
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."
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."
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."
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Glen Rock, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Glen Rock, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 113 campgrounds and RV parks near Glen Rock, NJ and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Glen Rock, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Glen Rock, 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 Glen Rock, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Glen Rock, NJ.
What parks are near Glen Rock, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Glen Rock, NJ that allow camping, notably Gateway National Recreation Area and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
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