The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Dog-Friendly Camping near Hackensack, NJ

62 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

Search destinations
    Add dates
    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    Sebago Cabin Camp in Harriman State Park accommodates pets at rustic cabins with outdoor fire pits, picnic areas, and refrigerators for pet food storage. Croton Point Park allows dogs at tent sites, RV spots, and cabins throughout the year, with Liberty Harbor RV Park offering a pet-friendly alternative closer to NYC. Campgaw Mountain Reservation permits dogs on trails and at primitive campsites with standard leash requirements. Most locations require pets to be leashed at all times, though Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provides designated areas where dogs can exercise off-leash. Site security at Liberty Harbor makes pet owners feel safe even when staying in what amounts to a parking lot with hookups.

    Stonetown Circular Trail features two primitive campsites where hikers with dogs can camp along an 11-mile moderate to difficult loop. The first site requires navigating a rock scramble that may be challenging with pets and heavy gear, while the second location offers the advantage of a flowing stream for fresh water access. Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park maintains pet-friendly policies with nearby hiking trails suitable for dogs. The most convenient option for accessing NYC with pets remains Liberty Harbor, despite its basic amenities. Sites tend to be close together with minimal privacy, particularly during peak season. Local vets are available in Jersey City and surrounding communities for emergency pet care during camping trips.

    Connectivity Maps

    Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
    Map showing cell service coverage and campground pins
    Try Connectivity Maps

    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Hackensack (62)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Liberty Harbor RV Park

      3.8(16)12mi from Hackensack1 siteRVs

      "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

      2. Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park

      4.2(41)24mi from Hackensack129 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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 $17 - $20 / night

      Check Availability

      3. Skyline RV Camp - Waterfront

      5.0(1)12mi from Hackensack20 sitesRVs

      "A little intimidating driving in to a nondescript gate at the end of a narrow street but the overall experience exceeded expectation."

      from $130 / night

      Check Availability

      4. Sebago Cabin Camp — Harriman State Park

      4.7(6)21mi from Hackensack40 sitesTents, Cabins

      "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 $74 - $130 / night

      Check Availability

      5. Skyline RV Camp - Non-Waterfront

      2.0(2)12mi from Hackensack28 sitesRVs

      from $85 - $120 / night

      Check Availability

      6. Croton Point Park

      3.7(10)23mi from HackensackRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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

      7. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation

      4.6(19)29mi from HackensackRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      "Police patrolled, and dog friendly."

      Check Availability

      8. Campgaw Mountain Reservation

      3.0(1)14mi from HackensackTents
      Check Availability

      9. Cheesequake State Park Campground

      3.6(20)33mi from HackensackRVs, Tents

      "I stayed at Cheesequake at the beginning of August and had a very positive experience."

      "This park is on the list of 50 top NJ Hikes, and it has a few great trails. The trails range from easy to moderate with quite a few lookout locations."

      from $200 / night

      Check Availability

      10. Stonetown Circular trail Primitive #1

      4.0(1)19mi from HackensackTents

      "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."

    View all 62 campgrounds

    2026 Explorer Giveaway

    Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

    Enter to Win

    Hackensack Contest

    Enter to Win

    Drive Time

    Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Hackensack, NJ

    42 Photos of 62 Hackensack Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Hackensack, NJ

    623 Reviews of 62 Hackensack Campgrounds

    • Cynthia K.
      Aug. 30, 2024

      Great Divide Campground

      Rock'in

       Our 4rth state in our 5 state trip is New Jersey! We wanted to see Delaware Water Gap NRA & I found a campground by Newton called The Great Divide. This is a private campground. Very scenic with a small lake, a pond & surrounded by woods. This is also the most expensive campground on our trip at $96.11 a night.

           Lots to do for families- they have kayaks for camper use. Horseshoes, tether ball, volleyball, a pool, a playground, a dog park. There's a swimming beach.

       One strange thing is there's a lot of tent sites & they seemed popular. For the amount of tent/popup sites they only have 1 shower per loop. They are very clean & checked often, but they're used heavily during the weekend. I had better luck Sunday evening. A bench outside the bathroom would have been nice to sit & wait. 

       The rv sites were all full hookup on our loop.

         We came in on a Friday & found out this campground ROCKS!!! They have live bands every Friday & Saturday night during the warm months. This might explain the higher rates. Party on!

    • Mackenzie B.
      Aug. 4, 2018

      Nickerson Beach Park Campground

      surfers dream

      I grew up in Long Beach. If you’re looking for a spot to camp so you can surf, this is perfect! It’s basically a parking lot, but it’s steps away from some of the greatest waves on the east coast. Showers are clean, there’s a dog park nearby, and the island is very bikable to get around.

      benefits: allows dogs childrens playground beach programs like movie nights throughout the summer

    • Laura M.The Dyrt Pro User
      Dec. 14, 2023

      Stephens State Park Campground

      Might be hard for big rigs

      Lovely campground, but maybe not the best for big rigs. We drove through here thinking we’d stay a night, but saw the “no pets” in the list of rules and didn’t stay. Later, when I was looking at the closeup of the picture of the campground map we took, I saw that some of the sites are designated as pet sites. Would have been nice to know that. Also, no alcohol allowed here. 

      The campground as a whole and the individual sites are kind of tricky for bigger rigs. We are in a 26ft class c and we squeezed through, and there were a few sites where we could have made it work, but I can imagine a big class A or 5th wheel having a tough time. 

      Showers here are nice and free and clean, water runs continuously (no button to push), and you can adjust the temperature. There’s a playground and volleyball court. There are dumpsters but no recycling (not sure if New Jersey segregates recycling after pickup). 

      ATT had some reception but we forgot to check the Verizon phone. 

      Didn’t see any instructions for how to pay if you don’t have a reservation. Reserved sites were marked, so maybe you just pick an empty unreserved site and a ranger will come collect the fees- but I’m just guessing. We drove through at the end of October and only saw one camper there, and another that might have been the host.

    • L
      Jun. 10, 2026

      Nickerson Beach Park Campground

      Great place

      Very nice family oriented, places the beach, which is great except for the birds watch out they come at you. They have a dog park basketball courts playground swimming just about everything.

    • Jeff W.
      Oct. 29, 2018

      Mahlon Dickerson Reservation

      Quiet County Park with Large Sites

      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. Water and electric hookups and a dump station. Convenient for hiking and exploring, it's also only a 20 minute drive to a large mall in Rockaway.

    • Joey
      Aug. 31, 2018

      High Point State Park Campground

      highest park in New Jersey

      Beautiful park with in the skylands region of New Jersey. Great campsites on a lake, with lots of hiking and biking trails right from your site. Hike to the monument at the highest point in the state, or maybe along the Appalachian trail, or maybe just a swim in the lake. Either way there’s plenty to see and do at High Point State Park.

    • JThe Dyrt Pro User
      Nov. 16, 2021

      Stokes State Forest

      Great area, decent camping experience

      Stokes is nestled in a beautiful part of New Jersey and it’s just remote enough that you can get away from the crowds and activity while still being in a short driving distance of restaurants, grocery stores, etc. We stayed at Lake Ocquittunk, which was a little disappointing. The site itself (T001) was absolutely massive and stunningly beautiful. Unfortunately, when the site was cleared, trees were cut down to the stump and the stumps were just left there. This posed both a tripping hazard and a driving hazard. You have to weave your way around the various stumps and small boulders protruding from the ground in all lighting conditions. The site is on a gentle slope, which made it difficult to find a level area for the tent, but we found a spot that suited us perfectly. The campground overall needs some improvement. It almost felt neglected or abandoned. The bathrooms weren’t great, but I’ve seen much worse. The park staff were incredibly helpful and generous with time and information. Directions were easy to follow and we felt comfortable staying there. Ultimately, we would gladly return in the future, but we might visit in a warmer season.

    • Trip Over Life
      Oct. 23, 2018

      Stokes State Forest

      Ranger Review: humangear FlexiBowl and GoBites at Steam Mill Campground

      Campground Review

      Stokes State Forest has four campgrounds. The Steam Mill Camping Area is tucked out the of the way and is the most primitive. It is the smallest of the campgrounds with 27 sites only suitable for tents or small trailers/campervans. No pets or alcohol allowed.

      The campground has a pit toilet and a well. Each large campsite has a picnic table, fire pit, and lantern hook. Some sites also have a tent platform. Many sites are a bit rocky.

      We selected site T219. It was a solid choice: private but close to the toilet and water. Some sites located around the opposite side of the ring back up to a babbling brook. The rushing water will soothe you to sleep.

      Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes.

      Outdoor activities in the area abound. Go fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, kayaking, and more. There are 21 marked trails that cover over 63 miles within the boundaries of Stokes State Forest. Twelve miles are part of the Appalachian Trail. Pick up a hiking map at the park office or download the Avenza Maps app.

      This visit we hiked the Tillman Ravine trail (tip: make the trail a loop and visit both the ravine and the nearby old cemetery).

      You can also drive or hike to Sunset Mountain Scenic Overlook for a view of High Point Monument. High Point Monument is the highest elevation in New Jersey and is located in High Point State Park which borders Stokes State Forest on the north. High Point State Park also offers camping, hiking, sightseeing opportunities. And, on the western border of Stokes State Forest is the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. So, there is lots of outdoors to get out and explore!

      Product Review

      We camped at the Steam Mill Camping Area in Stokes State Forest in our campervan over a chilly autumn weekend. We had the opportunity to cook some soup on our stovetop and chill out by the campfire. And, as Rangers for The Dyrt, we get products to test from time to time so we were psyched to try out some new dinnerware and cutlery. This included the FlexiBowl and GoBites from humangear.

      What made these humangear products pretty awesome? Well, the fun colors to start. I mean, seriously, my orange bowl rules. The FlexiBowl also has some neat features: it’s flexible - just like the name suggests - and foldable. The bowl can be squished and stuffed anywhere. And, the top section can be folded down to create a smaller bowl. The FlexiBowl is versatile yet durable. It held my hearty, warm soup just perfectly.

      I paired the FlexiBowl with one of the GoBites utensils (the Uno model). The Uno model is my favorite - it has a fork on one side and a spoon on the other side. Very simple and convenient. The other GoBites models include the Duo (separate fork and spoon that can snap together) and the Trio (a fork, spoon, and knife - with bottle opener - in a case).

      PRO TIP: I keep the Trio GoBites model in my travel pack at all times. It recently came in handy on a (non-camping) trip to Sardinia. The knife on the Trio allowed me to slice some delicious local cheese to pair with bread, jam, and wine that was purchased from the grocery store. YUM.

    • C
      Sep. 21, 2021

      Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort

      Not a Resort, despite the name and per night fee.

      Some things you should be aware of before booking: The office, playground, dog park, pool, laundry are located at the top of the hill. Camping spots are downhill, a good distance from the office and amenities. Trash is located off site in a pullout on the road you drive in on. There are 2 showers for women and 2 for men. Both are old and not well maintained or in our experience clean, either. In general the camping spots are not well maintained, weedy, un-level and picnic tables are weathered and warped. This resort campground is composed of mainly residents, the rules (we observed) apply to the overnight campers, not the residents. Children of the residents run free all day and past curfew in the evenings unsupervised. The setting is quiet, the views from the upper level are lovely. With some updating of bath facilities, cleaning and leveling of campsites, uniform enforcement of rules, Pleasant Acres could become a resort destination.

    Guide to Hackensack

    Liberty Harbor RV Park is the closest campground to New York City, located in Jersey City just across the Hudson River. Most sites at this urban campground are on a gravel parking lot with water and electric hookups at 30-50 amp service. The park sits at sea level along the harbor with no tree cover and temperatures ranging from 26°F in winter to 86°F in summer, requiring appropriate gear for all seasons.

    What to do

    Visit Manhattan from camp: Liberty Harbor RV Park provides convenient access to NYC with public transportation nearby. "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," notes Emily L. about Liberty Harbor RV Park.

    Hike mountain trails: Campgaw Mountain Reservation offers pet-friendly hiking trails and primitive campsites within 14 miles of Hackensack. Jake R. describes the experience: "There was also plenty to do during the day, like joining the hikers on those trails, disc golf, and sitting by the water."

    Camp along Stonetown Circular: The 11-mile Stonetown Circular trail features two primitive, pet-friendly campsites. "This is a nice spot to set up camp because it is right next to a flowing stream with fresh water. The site is marked by a sign on a tree that says 'The Island'," says Ethan K. about Stonetown Circular trail Primitive #2.

    What campers like

    Proximity to city sights: Located just minutes from major attractions. "Getting in and out of the city is an adventure. Stay right off the highway to avoid the $30 tunnel toll," advises Joe R. from Liberty Harbor RV Park.

    Platform tent sites: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provides elevated camping platforms. "They have these 12x12 platforms to put your tent on. This was pretty cool especially since some of the sites are all gravel with surrounding dirt," writes Christina L. about Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.

    Wooded seclusion: Several campgrounds offer quiet forest camping despite urban proximity. "The campground is small but also secluded. We always hike to the lake here, it's a very easy hike and also very peaceful," says Paulene-Amanda M. about Mahlon Dickerson.

    What you should know

    Bear awareness: Wildlife encounters are possible at several sites. "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," relates Steve W. about Beaver Pond Campground.

    Limited facilities: Many sites have basic amenities only. "There is only one bathroom with small shower for all guests, however they are in the process of adding 5 more," reports Arlene S. about Skyline RV Camp.

    Weekend crowding: Expect more visitors during peak times. "We would only consider staying here again during the 'off-season' months when the campground isn't busy," says Ericka T. about Liberty Harbor.

    Tips for camping with families

    Check seasonal activities: Harriman State Park offers both winter and summer recreation. "About 30 minutes from sleepy hollow and tarrytown NY and only an hour to central park!! Deer running everywhere and surprisingly beautiful and quaint. Free Hot showers in the bathrooms, with plenty of room to change," mentions Megan B.

    Use raised platforms: Some campsites have elevated tent pads for wet conditions. "The biggest positive about Beaver Pond is how spread out it was. Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained," notes Ethan K.

    Consider noise levels: Urban proximity means traffic noise at some locations. "We went camping here this summer with a few friends. The campsites are basic. You get flat land and a fire ring," says Kendra P. about Cheesequake State Park.

    Tips from RVers

    Plan for tight spaces: Liberty Harbor sites are close together. "Sites kind of level and very close. Power and water, and convenient dump station if staying and needing to dump," explains Keith and Tia S.

    Bring hose extensions: Some water hookups require longer connections. "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," notes Antruze about Croton Point Park.

    Consider electric options: Most parks offer 30-amp service, but some have 50-amp available. "Easy to navigate our 38 ft. RV. Easy to dump and fill. Peaceful. Close to train to N. Y. City," says Nancymike K. about Mahlon Dickerson.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Hackensack, NJ?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Hackensack, NJ is Liberty Harbor RV Park with a 3.8-star rating from 16 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Hackensack, NJ?

    TheDyrt.com has all 62 dog-friendly camping locations near Hackensack, NJ, with real photos and reviews from campers.

    Keep Exploring