Several pet-friendly camping options exist within 30-45 minutes of Linden, New Jersey. The region offers a mix of wooded sites and urban camping with access to diverse terrain and water features. Seasonal considerations affect campground availability, with most locations operating from April through October due to New Jersey's moderate climate and distinct four seasons.
What to do
Hiking at Cheesequake State Park: The park offers several trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty with lookout points along the way. "The trails range from easy to moderate with quite a few lookout locations. The elevation of the trails is not too strenuous. While also walking the trails, people are able to come across many picnic and resting areas," notes one camper from Cheesequake State Park Campground.
Boating on Round Valley Reservoir: The 2,350-acre reservoir at Round Valley allows kayaking and canoeing. "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 a visitor at Round Valley State Park Campground.
City exploration from Liberty Harbor: For urban adventures with your dog, use Liberty Harbor as a base. "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!" reports one RVer.
What campers like
Secluded wooded sites: Turkey Swamp Park provides private, wooded campsites that feel removed from other campers. "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest. Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest," explains a visitor at Turkey Swamp Park.
Platform tent sites: Some locations offer raised wooden platforms for tent setup, particularly beneficial during wet weather. At Beaver Pond Campground, "The biggest positive about Beaver Pond is how spread out it was. You definitely feel like you have your own space and are not camping on top of your neighbor. Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained."
Year-round accessibility: Unlike many seasonal campgrounds, some locations remain open throughout winter. One camper at Mahlon Dickerson 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."
What you should know
Proximity to highways: Traffic noise can impact some campgrounds near Linden. A camper at Allaire State Park reports, "Tent camped July 1st. Clean bathrooms. Sites are a little too close together. Noisy with highway traffic. Well maintained though. Ticks galore."
Wildlife considerations: Bears are common in some camping areas. "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... and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area. I mean, we are in Bear Mountain, what do you expect?!?" shares a visitor to Beaver Pond.
Limited amenities at primitive sites: Some campgrounds offer minimal facilities. At Round Valley, a camper notes, "While there are backwoods-style bathroom pits, these are very ill-managed and you'll come across the 'stank' well before actually even arriving here, so we just didn't use them."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near Linden feature play areas for children. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office."
Lake activities for kids: Water recreation options keep children entertained. "Panther lake was a pretty good campground with lots of spots to camp at. The lake and pool were a big plus, especially for hot days. While I did not take advantage, you are allowed to rent boats and take them out on the lake," reports a visitor at Panther Lake Camping Resort.
First-time camper friendly: Some locations are ideal for families new to camping. "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. Great place for hiking," advises a Cheesequake State Park camper.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Many dog-friendly campgrounds in the area offer only partial hookups. A visitor to Turkey Swamp Park reports, "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."
Dump station access: Plan for waste management at campgrounds lacking sewer connections. At Liberty Harbor RV Park, "There is a dump station, but not the easiest to use. The laundry was not working properly and ate a good $5 of our quarters."
Proximity for NYC access: RVers seeking urban exploration can use certain campgrounds as a base. "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 a Liberty Harbor camper.
