Camping sites near Highland Park, New Jersey range from primitive wilderness camping to family-friendly grounds with modern amenities. The region sits within the Atlantic Coastal Plain, characterized by relatively flat terrain with elevations rarely exceeding 300 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions between 50-75°F.
What to do
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park features an archery range with hay barrels for target practice. "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels. Ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods," notes one visitor to Turkey Swamp Park.
Urban exploration: Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island offers unique abandoned buildings for guided exploration. "There is abandoned buildings here and you can do urban exploring... There are rangers taking you on a trek and exploring the abandoned building," explains a camper at Staten Island — Gateway National Recreation Area, just across from New Jersey.
Mountain biking: Varied trail options from paved paths to challenging single track exist at Allaire State Park. "Lots to do in the area! Mountain Biking from easy, paved trails to several miles of single track with everything in between. Working village and antique train are available most of the year," shares a reviewer at Allaire State Park.
Primitive hiking: Round Valley Recreation Area offers challenging trails leading to wilderness camping. "It's a pretty strenuous hike, but you'll be rewarded for the effort! If you get a site on the water, you can take a boat across to your site," describes a visitor at Round Valley State Park Campground.
What campers like
Lake activities: Many campgrounds feature fishing and boating opportunities on site. "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," remarks a visitor about Turkey Swamp Park.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathroom facilities matter to campers. "Bath/Shower House: Very clean. Soap and paper towels are provided. The only thing missing were hooks or shelves for toiletries but there was a large bench that could be used," details a recent visitor at Timberland Lake Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Some campgrounds offer unique animal encounters. "Very close to Six Flags Great adventure. You can hear the lions in the morning. There is a road that goes between the campground and the Safari you can drive, walk, or bicycle down and see the animals!" explains a camper at Timberland Lake Campground.
Urban proximity: Easy access to New York City appeals to many visitors. "This is a great spot with views of Manhattan, Statue of Liberty, etc. Expect to pay pretty good to be here, but from here you can pretty much easily get anywhere in NYC," reports a camper at Liberty Harbor RV Park.
What you should know
Wilderness camping requirements: Round Valley requires significant effort to access camping areas. "I have hiked throughout the entire US and consider myself somewhere between a moderate to skilled hiker and I found these trails challenging and uneven... ensure you are wearing proper hiking boots," cautions a visitor at Round Valley State Park Campground.
Seasonal pest concerns: Ticks can be problematic at some locations. "I was so excited when we got here. The sites are spacious and it's really beautiful. But by the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2," warns a camper at Turkey Swamp Park.
Road noise: Highway proximity affects several campgrounds. "The Parkway is right there so it's not a nice quiet place," notes one camper about Cheesequake State Park Campground. Another mentions: "We camped here once because it was easy for part of our family to get to from NYC... you will be able to hear traffic noises."
Urban camping realities: City-adjacent sites offer convenience but different experiences. "This is not your usual forest camp sites, however there are some beautiful views, and it is located in the middle of staten island. When it comes to getting to the usual american camping experience, this is not the place for you," explains a visitor at Staten Island Gateway.
Tips for camping with families
Best child-friendly activities: Some campgrounds specifically cater to children with planned events. "We went camping here last fall. It happened to be the Halloween weekend which was full of excellent activities from pumpkin painting to piñatas and tricker treating," shares a parent who visited Timberland Lake Campground.
Campground playgrounds: Multiple play areas accommodate different age groups. "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office," notes a camper at Turkey Swamp Park.
Beach proximity: Allaire State Park offers easy bicycle access to coastal towns. "Did a weekend bikepacking trip from New Brunswick to Allaire. Big sites that you can hear the highway from. A really nice bike ride to Ocean Grove and other beach towns," explains a camper at Allaire State Park.
Bug-free seasons: Some parks report minimal pest issues during certain times. "We went camping with our 2- and 3-year-old kids. We were worried about bugs, but we didn't even use mosquito repellent and didn't get a single bite! The campground was super clean too," reports a family that visited Pleasant Valley Lavender in spring.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Expect varied site sizes across campgrounds. "Sites in Loops B-E all have pull-thru driveways. Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy," reports an RVer at Turkey Swamp Park.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "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," notes a camper about Turkey Swamp Park.
Hookup limitations: Availability varies significantly between parks. "There is a dump station and laundry facility with brand-new washers and dryers (however, you need to pay using an app on your phone)," mentions a visitor about Turkey Swamp Park.
Urban RV considerations: City-adjacent options offer unique opportunities but come with tradeoffs. "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," advises an RVer about Liberty Harbor RV Park.
