Camping opportunities near Linden, New Jersey range from primitive wilderness sites to full-service RV parks within 30-60 miles of the city. The region sits at the edge of the New Jersey Highlands with elevations between sea level and 400 feet, creating varied camping terrain across counties. Winter camping options are limited as most facilities close from November through March, with typical overnight temperatures dropping to the 20s during winter months.
What to do
Hiking trails at Mahlon Dickerson: Explore multiple trail options ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. "The campground is close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities. And yet it's only about a 15 minute drive to a large mall with movies, shopping, and restaurants," notes Jeff W. about Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Water activities at Round Valley: Access swimming, fishing, and boating at one of New Jersey's deepest reservoirs. "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," shares James R. about Round Valley State Park Campground.
Urban exploration from Jersey City: Use public transportation to access Manhattan attractions while maintaining a campsite base. "The light rail is a block away, and the path train is about 8. Having a view of Lady Liberty out your window is priceless," mentions Joe R. about Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Archery range access: Practice target shooting at designated ranges within park boundaries. "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," explains Dan W. about Turkey Swamp Park.
What campers like
Wilderness experience close to urban areas: Enjoy primitive camping with minimal facilities for true nature immersion. "This is a great campground that is super private and quiet - great for getting out to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. It's a pretty strenuous hike, but you'll be rewarded for the effort!" reports Agbi B. about Round Valley.
Spacious wooded sites: Find privacy between campsites at several parks in the region. "Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy. A lantern hook, picnic table, and fire ring complete each site," describes Lee D. about Turkey Swamp Park.
NYC skyline views: Capture unique urban camping experiences with city views. "I would give this place a 5-star review based on how convenient everything was. There is a ferry 100-yards away that takes you to Wall Street M-F," states Shawn B. about Skyline RV Camp.
Beginner-friendly options: Find suitable camping for those new to outdoor recreation. "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. The best part is all the trails," shares Maggie A. about Cheesequake State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds operate April through November with limited winter options. "We camped here once because it was easy for part of our family to get to from NYC. Sites were a little too close together and one of the sites we reserved was filled with broken glass," reports Katrina Z. about Cheesequake State Park Campground.
Wildlife considerations: Bear activity requires proper food storage at some locations. "There are a lot of bear warnings here so that gave us a bit of pause with our three little boys," mentions Greg S. about Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Traffic noise: Highway proximity affects some camping experiences. "Located between two busy roads. Stayed in the family campground in a travel trailer. Used a fan in the trailer to block out the sound of traffic with the exception of some sports cars/motorcycles speeding loudly," notes Theresa G. about Cheesequake State Park.
Tick activity: Wooded areas may have significant tick populations during warmer months. "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," warns Laura Y. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks offer dedicated play areas for children. "Turkey Swamp is a great spot, a lot of different things to do. Fishing, Tent Camp, Van Camping, Open Field, BBQ, Kayaking, Canoeing. The list goes on," recommends Tylen L. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Consider campsite location relative to bathrooms: Some campgrounds have limited facilities spread across large areas. "The camping area is located on a loop road I would estimate to be about a mile long. There is one restroom/shower house. Some campsites are close but our site was a 1/1 mile away," explains Kevin C. about Cheesequake State Park.
Book well in advance for summer weekends: Sites fill quickly, especially at more developed campgrounds. "This campground has all pull-through sites. Nicely wooded with water and electric. Be sure to bring extra hose because the water spigot is a distance from the electric," advises Jean T. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Consider first-time camping options: Look for sites with easy access to basic services. "Tent camping near the water - great for Jersey Shore adventures. Make sure to check out the lighthouses nearby!!" suggests Becky G. about Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Be prepared for distance between utilities at some sites. "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 Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Urban RV parking limitations: Sites in Jersey City provide access to NYC but with space constraints. "Skyline RV Camp has moved to 50 Noble St, Brooklyn. There no longer is a waterfront view of the NYC skyline when camping at Skyline RV. The website views are misleading," warns John T. about Skyline RV Camp - Non-Waterfront.
Dump station access: Plan for limited waste disposal options at some parks. "The dump station has a flush hose point. Nice and easy little campground," shares antruze about Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Site spacing concerns: Expect tight quarters at urban-adjacent RV parks. "Expect to pay pretty good to be here, but from here you can pretty much easily get anywhere in NYC. Service is great and friendly. Checking in was easy, and they accommodated our needs," advises John G. about Liberty Harbor RV Park.
