Leo C.
Scout
ScoutWinding Hills Park
Nice but dated
Nice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
Camping near Little Falls, NJ
119 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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The Little Falls area in northern New Jersey provides camping access within a region characterized by both developed facilities and natural settings. Campgrounds within driving distance include Mahlon Dickerson Reservation in Jefferson, offering tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins with picnic tables and fire rings. Camp Glen Gray, located approximately 15 miles northwest of Little Falls, provides tent camping and cabin accommodations in a wooded environment. Most locations in this region fall within the New Jersey Highlands, offering a mix of forest and lake settings that contrast with the nearby urban development.
Several campgrounds in this region maintain seasonal operations, typically from April through October, with some offering extended seasons depending on weather conditions. Campgaw Mountain Reservation requires permits for camping and offers free sites with limited amenities including toilets and water hookups. Most developed campgrounds provide electric hookups, drinking water, and toilet facilities, while primitive sites have minimal infrastructure. Many locations enforce quiet hours strictly, with regulations against alcohol consumption common throughout state park properties. A visitor to Mahlon Dickerson Reservation described it as "a perfect place to spend a few nights or a couple of weeks" with "paved and mostly level" campsites that are "wooded and large."
Water access represents a significant draw for campers in the region, with several campgrounds offering lake or riverside settings. Sites at Panther Lake Camping Resort provide both tent and RV accommodations with amenities including electric hookups, sanitary dump stations, and showers. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, approximately 30 miles west of Little Falls, features boat-in campsites along the river that provide more primitive experiences. When searching for campgrounds near Little Falls, campers will find options ranging from basic tent camping to full-service RV sites within reasonable driving distance. Campers consistently mention the contrast between more developed facilities and rustic options. As one reviewer of a riverside site noted, "Nightfall is great. Once the darkness sets in you easily forget your closeness to civilization. No traffic noise, usually there are no other campers close by, which allows you to just sit and enjoy the sounds of the river and the wildlife around you."
Best Campgrounds near Little Falls (119)
1. Liberty Harbor RV Park
"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 Availability2. Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park
"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 $21 - $24 / night
Check Availability3. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
"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."
"It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities."
4. Camp Glen Gray
"One rustic place with many hiking trails to choose from. Camp also provides trucking of gear weather permitting. No vehicles allowed to drive through camp. Trading Post for treats and other items."
"Lots of hiking trails. Trading post is well stocked and volunteers are always friendly and able to answer any questions"
from $5 - $200 / night
Check Availability5. Sebago Cabin Camp — Harriman State Park
"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 $130 / night
Check Availability6. Campgaw Mountain Reservation
7. Stonetown Circular trail Primitive #1
"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."
8. Panther Lake Camping Resort
"Panther lake was a pretty good campground with lots of spots to camp at. Our campsite had a picnic bench and a fire ring. They offer both RV and primitive camping."
"The Lake is the gem of the campground with a really nice beach, good for fishing and kayaking. The negatives were the bathrooms. They are very primitive and quite dirty."
9. Skyline RV Camp - Waterfront
"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 Availability10. Cheesequake State Park Campground
"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
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Drive Time
- 24 min from New York, NY
- 39 min from Kiryas Joel, NY
- 1 hr 6 min from Trenton, NJ
- 1 hr 12 min from Bridgeport, CT
Recent Camping Photos near Little Falls, NJ
458 Photos of 119 Little Falls Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
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Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
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Recent Reviews near Little Falls, NJ
811 Reviews of 119 Little Falls Campgrounds
Thomas B.
RangerNeversink River Resort
Cool Riverside Campground
I'll start by saying this is a site-specific review (C20). I booked using Campspot and didn't select my own site but put in the criteria for my rig (30ft TT plus truck) and got a 50A back-in spot. The site was big but abnormal. Between the picnic table placement and the trees, I ended up right around 50ft from the electric and water, and the water spigot was so low I could barely put on my camco filter. With the uneven dirt roads, I had to unhitch with my truck in a gigantic puddle (lol). The site was otherwise fine aside from my gate code not working on Day 2. As for the campground as a whole, I thought it was pretty unique place by the river that offered several good amenities and activities, like downstream river tubing, an arcade, bathroom/shower facilities, a small store, little trails, and more. I would say this place borders the more primitive side.
Edwin R.ScoutCheesequake State Park Campground
Park uses county cops to shut down park by 9pm.
On Friday, September 4, 2026, I rented a trailer and brought my family to Cheesequake State Park to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary over the extended Labor Day weekend. Around 9:20 PM—well before the park's designated 10:00 PM quiet hours—we were sitting inside our canopy, playing Jenga, and listening to low background music. Two officers from the Matawan Police Department approached our campsite. They were polite and courteous, simply offering a standard reminder to wrap things up by 10:00 PM. Before they could leave, however, a third, senior officer intervened. Wanting to"show them how it's done," he made the two polite officers return and stand by to watch as he demonstrated how to aggressively harass campers. Flashlight in hand, the senior officer approached with an immediate hostile attitude, treating us like criminals as he demanded to know who rented the site. He began reiterating rules and claimed we had too many vehicles. We had three cars, one belonging to my brother-in-law's girlfriend, who was visiting with her daughter. She had paid the$10 visitor fee at the main office and was instructed by staff to obtain the gate access code from us, the primary renters, if she got locked in. No staff member ever informed her of an 8:00 PM visitor departure deadline, leading us to reasonably assume visitors were permitted until quiet hours began at 10:00 PM. The officer rudely snapped that she had been given wrong information. The senior officer then used profanity in front of three small children, aggressively telling her to ("get her shit and get the fuck out!") in that manner or use profanity, the officer went from hostile to furious. He angrily declared that these were official violations and threatened that he could be issuing us tickets instead. Desperately searching for anything and everything to throw at us, he demanded that we turn off our idling car—which was supplying power to our campsite—and instructed us to make sure the campfire was doused before shutting down for the night. He then proceeded to shine his flashlight into our private setup—including our canopy, tents, and the inside of our trailer—searching for any other possible violation while the two polite officers were forced to watch. What was supposed to be a special 10th wedding anniversary celebration with my family was completely ruined by a senior officer misusing his authority to put on an unnecessary display of intimidation. Worse than just ruining our night, he spent that evening teaching those two police officers how to be bad cops. He corrupted two officers in real time, demonstrating firsthand exactly why most people have lost faith in the police force. The next day we was ready for them. We turned off our lights and quietly by the fire while they went next door to harass an asian family that had just set up camp and had their leds lights on.
- eedgar V.Scout
Black Bear RV Park
Super clean and quiet
Past reviews has mentioned that the office seems to be closed often, while I found that to be true I had no reason to contact anyone. This is definitely one of the cleanest quiets site I’ve ever visited
- KKelly B.
GuideClarence Fahnestock State Park Campground
Check site photos first
Definitely a wide variety of sites—look at the site pictures before booking—there are two areas where it’s just an open field with bonfires and picnic tables that I’d avoid. I could see a large group going there or something but personally it doesn’t offer any privacy.
BUT if you book one of the other sites that DOES have privacy you’ll be in camping heaven. The “hike in” sites are more like “walk-in,” I was worried at first but it’s some are as little as a few yards from the road. The most annoying part was lugging the cooler back and forth, but totally worth it
- KKelly B.Guide
Stephens State Park Campground
Great last min getaway
Booked the day before—even on the holiday weekend! Just 1.5 hours outside of NYC, site was a bit close to the neighbors (fire pit was very far back and basically in the neighbors’ campsite, but we put up a “privacy clothesline” and hung a tarp over it for a bit of extra coverage.
The staff was friendly and helpful, they said it was the busiest they’ve seen the campground all year (there were lots of large groups but everyone seemed to settle down by 9:30pm
Poison ivy was EVERYWHERE at our site so make sure to stick to the open areas and the paths. Lots of families around, we felt very safe Bathrooms were fine—it was my impression they’re usually cleaner but the high traffic of the weekend left a bit to be desired, (lots of families around=dirty diapers in the bathroom trash bin) but it’s camping! I’m not gonna argue w a flushing toilet!
- KKevin F.
TravelerTri-State RV Park
A place to stay in an area lacking campgrounds.
This area seems to be devoid of campgrounds except for this one. It’s basically just a large parking lot with hook ups. Completely open, which is great for Starlink. Bathrooms were slightly above average; fairly clean and places to hang clothes for your shower. Has a laundry but be sure to bring quarters. It is about 100 yards from the interstate so you’ll get a lot of noise and diesel exhaust fumes.
- Sue B.Ranger
Delaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA
Great off season camping
We camped here in our pop up for our Anniversary in November. We were impressed with the cleanliness and available amenities for the time of year we were camping in! Close proximity to DWG and PA AND NJ attractions.
- JJayTraveler
Delaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA
Large sites & friendly staff!
Another great experience. Sites were large. Staff was friendly with many different things for kids to do. Great base camp for local hikes.
Guide to Little Falls
Camping options near Little Falls, New Jersey range from rustic tent sites to full-service RV facilities within 30 miles of town. The area sits at elevations between 150-400 feet in the New Jersey Highlands region, characterized by rolling hills and small lakes. Winter overnight temperatures often drop below freezing from November through March, while summer camping season brings average highs of 80-85°F with moderate humidity.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: Staten Island's Camp Gateway offers unique urban-adjacent hiking with historical elements. "There are abandoned buildings here and you can do urban exploring. There are rangers taking you on a trek and exploring the abandoned building. This place is great if you live in New York city and don't want to drive really far from the city to go camping," notes Phillip L. from Camp Gateway Staten Island.
Swimming access: Several campsites near Little Falls feature lake swimming during summer months. "Sebago has a huge lake and great beach area. It was perfect for lounging and swimming in during a hot summer day," according to Ethan K. who visited Sebago Cabin Camp. The beach areas typically have lifeguards during peak season.
Rock scrambling: For more adventurous campers, certain trails offer challenging terrain within an hour's drive. "This is a great spot to set up camp because it has a wide area and an amazing view. You will find the site right next to the American Flag at the top of the mountain. The only difficult thing about this site is that it is at the top of a fairly difficult rock scramble," explains Ethan K. about Stonetown Circular trail.
What campers like
City proximity with nature balance: Campsites maintain wilderness feel despite urban proximity. "Nightfall is great. This campground is amazing. You have a clear view of the Narrow bridge and at night the city lights light up your surroundings light a night light," shares Phillip L. about his experience at Camp Gateway Staten Island.
Lake amenities: Several campsites feature water recreation beyond just swimming. "Big campground, lots of sites, nice pool, big community hot tub, boating is great, good fishing, nice playground, basketball court and great amenities," according to Richard V. who stayed at Panther Lake Camping Resort.
Trail access: Many campsites connect directly to hiking networks. "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," notes Jeff W. about his experience.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds within 30 miles of Little Falls require advance booking, especially during summer weekends. "We went on 4th of July weekend so the place was packed. We were able to get a secluded spot in the woods which was great!" says Jojo P. about Panther Lake.
Urban camping reality: Some nearby options offer more urban than wilderness experiences. "This is a pricey park, but options are limited. As in almost non existent. This is a prime location for visiting the city or heading down the shore. The light rail is a block away, and the path train is about 8," explains Joe R. from Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Primitive site considerations: Free camping options exist but require additional planning. "Campgaw doesn't seem to offer much in terms of a camping experience. 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," shares Jake R. about his experience at Campgaw Mountain Reservation.
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused campgrounds: Some sites offer organized programming. "Fun camping place to books groups. Very kid and pet friendly, lake to fish and kayak on, lots of activities, great pool and awesome hot tub," recommends Cynthia H. about Panther Lake Camping Resort.
Cabin options: Several locations offer cabin alternatives to tent camping. "We were able to rent a cabin which was equipped with an outside grill and picnic area. It is great if you are going with a group/family and people want to sleep inside a cabin as oppose to a tent outside," shares Ethan K. about his Sebago experience.
Location considerations: When camping with kids, proximity to facilities matters. "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," notes Megan B. about Beaver Pond Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: RV sites vary significantly in spacing and privacy. "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," reports Ethan K.
Hookup availability: Water and electric access points vary between campgrounds. "Very clean and quiet. 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," explains a reviewer at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Urban RV options: RVers seeking city access have limited but functional options. "Small campground. Sites very close to one another. Close to ferry for downtown and Statue of Liberty. People are very nice and accommodating. More of a stopping place to see the sites," says Missy S. about Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Little Falls, NJ?
What camping is available near Little Falls, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Little Falls, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 119 campgrounds and RV parks near Little Falls, NJ and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Little Falls, NJ?
Which is the most popular campground near Little Falls, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Little Falls, NJ is Liberty Harbor RV Park with a 3.8-star rating from 16 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Little Falls, NJ?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Little Falls, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Little Falls, NJ.
What parks are near Little Falls, NJ?
What parks are near Little Falls, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Little Falls, NJ that allow camping, notably Gateway National Recreation Area and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
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