Camping opportunities near Haskell, New Jersey center around the Highlands region, with elevations reaching over 1,800 feet at High Point Monument and dense forest cover throughout the Ramapo Mountains. The area features a mix of state parks and county reservations with diverse terrain ranging from lakefront properties to mountain ridges. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing from December through February, making spring through fall the primary camping season for tent campers.
What to do
Hiking the Appalachian Trail: Access this historic long-distance trail through High Point State Park Campground where multiple trailheads connect to the AT system. "I stopped at this shelter while hiking the AT in High Point SP. The shelter has the usual facilities, privy, water source (must be filtered), bear box, etc.," reports Richard M.
Fishing opportunities: Wet a line in one of several lakes throughout the region's dog friendly campgrounds near Haskell. At Stokes State Forest, you'll find "beautiful mossy bank, next to a river and a lake" with "clear streams and lake" according to reviewers Kiya N. and Stephanie T.
Watersports: Many local lakes permit swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding during summer months. "We fit in a hike up to the Appalachian Trail from our campsite, swam at the pond (Lake Marcia), and got in a fishing session at Steeny Kill Lake," writes Justin P. about his experience at High Point State Park.
Winter activities: Some parks maintain limited winter camping options. According to W L., "I rented a cabin in November (#009) and again in December (#008) of 2021... The wood stove definitely heats the room up nicely. I went through two bundles of wood in one night, and could have used more in the morning."
What campers like
Elevated camping platforms: Many sites throughout the region feature raised wooden platforms for tent placement. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, "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," notes Christina L.
Peaceful surroundings: The relative seclusion attracts campers seeking quiet. Josh S. describes his experience: "While making reservations it said almost all sites were full but upon arrival the vast majority of sites were empty which made for a quiet/relaxing night."
Lake views: Multiple campgrounds feature waterfront sites or easy water access. "We always hike to the lake here, it's a very easy hike and also very peaceful," writes Paulene-Amanda M. about Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, one of several pet-friendly camping options near Haskell.
Well-maintained facilities: Despite their rustic nature, most campgrounds receive good marks for cleanliness. "The campground was clean and quiet. RV hook-ups, tent platforms, and rustic tent sites were available. Our rustic tent site had a few good options for pitching a tent, as well as picnic table and fire ring," according to Rebecca S.
What you should know
Bear activity: This is active bear country requiring proper food storage. According to Steve W. at Beaver Pond Campground, "'Welcome to Bear Mountain' grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! ...He offers us a highlighted map to our site, wishes us a good stay, and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area. I mean, we are in Bear Mountain, what do you expect?!?"
Limited shower access: Many campgrounds have restricted shower availability or none at all. "Showers are only located INSIDE High Point State Park, not throughout the campsites, but entry is free for campers," explains Damia F., while another reviewer notes "Clean-ish bathrooms with flush toilets, no sinks, no showers, with that awful outhouse smell."
Seasonal variations: Off-season camping offers more solitude. "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," notes Rebecca S. about Beaver Pond.
Site topography: Some sites feature challenging terrain. At High Point, one camper reports, "The photos did not convey the actual steepness of this site!! The gravel driveway is on a 30-40 degree incline. The tent was too long for the 12'x10' platform, so we had to set it up on the flattest part and hope not to roll down the hill."
Tips for camping with families
Lake activities: Children particularly enjoy the swimming areas during summer months. "Great place for kids," writes Zorina N. about Beaver Pond, noting it "has a playground, showers, bathroom. Your phone will have signal." These amenities make it popular among dog-friendly campgrounds near Haskell for families with both children and pets.
Quiet times: Be aware that enforcement of quiet hours varies by location. At Campgaw Mountain Reservation, "The sites themselves are fairly close to the road and there are super popular hiking trails that run right through all the camps. If you like being woken up by folks walking their dog at 7 AM, this is the spot for you," cautions Jake R.
Guided programs: Some parks offer ranger-led activities. "Sebago has a ton of activities like outdoor movies and communal bonfires on weekends. I was told by ranger Joe they also do Karaoke nights too," shares Sara P. about her experience at Sebago Cabin Camp.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for potential wildlife sightings. "The wildlife do roam around your campsite so be mindful of putting food and garbage away before sleeping," advises Kelvin about Beaver Pond.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary widely between campgrounds. "Our site (15) said 75' however the 50' hose reel made it to our rv connection. Trash dumpster is an easy walk and the dump station has a flush hose point," reports antruze at Mahlon Dickerson.
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites require significant leveling. At Panther Lake Camping Resort, Jojo P. explains that "We were able to get a secluded spot in the woods which was great!" but many campers note the challenges of uneven terrain throughout the region's campgrounds.
Seasonal considerations: Some campgrounds have different accommodations depending on the season. As Paul N. notes, "We really like this campground. Quiet and spacious. No facilities, just a porta-jon, but i think that makes it better. Police patrolled, and dog friendly."
Legend
