Located within a 30-mile radius of New York City, Green Brook camping options feature diverse terrain from reservoir shorelines to wooded mountain settings. The region typically experiences mild spring and fall temperatures between 50-75°F, making April-October the prime camping season when most facilities are fully operational. Weekend reservations often fill 2-3 months in advance during summer months.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: At Turkey Swamp Park, campers can rent various watercraft during summer months. One visitor mentioned, "Kayaking/Canoeing, fishing, and swimming. In the summer, canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental." The park maintains a small lake with a boat dock and boardwalk.
Urban exploration access: Liberty Harbor RV Park offers unique city access with minimal travel. A camper shared, "Minutes walk to the Statue of Liberty, Liberty Science center. Two blocks away from NJ Path train into Manhattan or take the ferry to Wall Street!" Another added, "There is a ferry 100-yards away that takes you to Wall Street M-F."
Archery options: Some campgrounds maintain dedicated archery facilities. As one Turkey Swamp Park visitor noted, "Plenty to do over a 2 night stay. Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking. Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from."
Wildlife viewing: The mountainous camping areas offer excellent wildlife encounters. A camper at Mountainview Campground described, "Shortly after we settled into our tent did we hear foxes fighting right outside our tent, the snorts of deer, and there were bats right above us all night making noise!"
What campers like
Reservoir access: Round Valley State Park Campground receives consistently high ratings for its water quality. A reviewer noted, "The water is crystal clear, the area is clean. There's bathrooms and pumps but we just filtered the water from the reservoir instead which tasted a million times better than the well water."
Spacious wooded sites: Many campers praise the privacy at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, with one reviewer commenting, "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."
Alternative transport options: Some campgrounds offer bicycle-friendly environments. A camper at Staten Island Gateway National Recreation Area mentioned, "Brought scooters & had a great stay! Plus you can see the Statue of Liberty from there!"
Balance of remoteness and convenience: Several campgrounds provide a wilderness feel while maintaining proximity to services. One visitor to Mountainview Campground commented, "Not that remote, but feels like a million miles away."
What you should know
Restroom variability: Bathroom facilities differ significantly between locations. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, a 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 levels: Highway proximity affects some camping experiences. A reviewer mentioned about Spruce Run, "Late at night you can hear the drone of a major highway." Similarly, at Cheesequake State Park, a camper noted, "The Parkway is right there so its not a nice quiet place."
Access challenges: Some campgrounds require significant effort to reach. At Round Valley, a visitor explained, "Located just south of I78 and near the small hamlets of Clinton and Lebanon... hiking path is incredibly difficult to manage without hauling all of your camping gear."
Wildlife encounters: Ticks are a serious concern in some areas. One Turkey Swamp Park camper reported, "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2. That was so crazy because we were just sitting by our camper."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several family-friendly options have dedicated play areas. A Turkey Swamp Park camper mentioned, "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office."
Water activities for kids: Panther Lake Camping Resort offers diverse water options for families. A visitor shared, "Big campground, lots of sites, nice pool, big community hot tub, boating is great, good fishing, nice playground, basketball court and great amenities."
Beginner-friendly sites: Some campgrounds specifically cater to novice campers. A reviewer at Cheesequake State Park noted, "This is a great site for those who are not avid campers. It's close to town if you forget something and it has all the facilities you may need, bathroom, shower, etc."
Off-peak timing: For quieter family experiences, avoid holiday weekends. One Spruce Run visitor observed, "Stayed here 2 nights in May, Friday-Sunday. There were a decent amount of people on Friday, but significantly more on Saturday."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Liberty Harbor RV Park, an RVer advised, "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."
Water hookup challenges: Some RV sites require equipment planning. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, a camper reported, "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."
Navigation considerations: Road conditions vary significantly between campgrounds. A Mountainview Campground reviewer warned, "The drive to our site had some inclines and was relatively rocky and some vehicles would surely struggle."
Weather preparation: Unpaved sites can create challenges in wet conditions. One camper noted about Turkey Swamp, "As soon as you turn off the main road to the park, all roads are dirt, which was a bit surprising. They were well-maintained and in dry weather, not a problem, but probably not if it was rainy."
