Equestrian camping options near Lyndhurst, New Jersey are limited within a 25-mile radius, with several parks offering camping but lacking dedicated horse facilities. The region features predominantly wooded terrain with elevation changes ranging from sea level to approximately 400 feet in the northwestern areas. Camping availability is typically seasonal, with most facilities open from April through October when average temperatures range from 50-85°F during peak camping months.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Stokes State Forest offers 21 marked trails covering over 63 miles, including 12 miles of the Appalachian Trail. "I went in November when there was a light rain that turned into a thunderstorm with hail and sleet! It was certainly an adventure. The area was incredibly peaceful in December with many cabin reservations abandoned due to rain in the forecast," writes one visitor.
Water recreation: Spend time fishing or boating at Turkey Swamp Park where kayaking, canoeing and pedal boats are available. "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. I've been here a few times, every time I'm here I barely touch my phone," notes one camper.
Historical sites: The nearby Allaire State Park includes a 19th-century iron-making town with demonstrations and events. "It is well maintained with numerous trails to hike. Getting a cabin in the winter and going for a snowy hike is wonderful there," shares a regular visitor.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: The campsites at Turkey Swamp Park provide substantial space between neighbors. "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," notes a camper describing the layout.
Urban access: Liberty Harbor RV Park offers a unique camping opportunity with city views and transportation access. "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 one RVer who stayed there.
Lake views: Spruce Run Recreation Area provides waterfront sites that offer tranquil settings. "Our site was on the water and it was really nice. A duck visited us every morning," reports a weekend camper who stayed for two nights in May.
What you should know
Limited equestrian facilities: Despite several camping options, horse-specific amenities are scarce. Riders seeking designated horse camping would need to look further west or into Pennsylvania where equestrian facilities are more common.
Bathroom conditions vary: Facilities can differ dramatically between parks. "The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting. I thought with COVID they were cleaning them more, but for the entire weekend, someone's #2 remained all over the toilet, floor, and corner wall," reports one Spruce Run visitor.
Tick awareness: Allaire State Park and other wooded areas can have significant tick populations. "Tent camped July 1st. Clean bathrooms. Sites are a little too close together. Noisy with highway traffic. Well maintained though. Ticks galore," warns one camper who visited during summer.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season (May-September), especially on weekends. Some parks show as fully booked online but may have vacancies on arrival.
Tips for camping with families
Protected swimming: Spruce Run offers designated swimming areas with lifeguards during summer months. "Several playgrounds, boat launches, and life guarded swimming area," notes a family camper.
Playground access: Ocquittunk in Stokes State Forest provides both camping amenities and recreation for children. "The bathrooms are clean and nicely placed. The sites had a fire ring with a cooking grate and a picnic table and were well spaced out from other sites. The views of the lake are nice, very peaceful," explains a family that enjoyed the balance of amenities and natural setting.
Age-appropriate activities: Turkey Swamp Park includes facilities for different age groups. "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office," mentions a camper who visited in late April when the campground was only about 20% occupied.
Tips from RVers
Parking surface considerations: Liberty Harbor is primarily a parking lot setup for RVs. "The 'campground' is nothing special. Literally a parking lot with water & electric hookups. Larger rigs will barely have a yard. And don't bet on a private picnic table. On a slow checkout day, you might get lucky enough to not wait in line for the dump station," advises an experienced RVer.
Site selection strategy: For Camp Mohican Outdoor Center, choose carefully based on your specific needs. "The Group Campsite was really big. It had 5-6 platforms, privys, big fire ring, a grill, a beatbox, a large pavilion w/picnic tables and a real full sized bathroom only 100 yards away," explains a group camping leader.
Hookup logistics: Many parks have limited or no hookups, requiring preparation. "We luckily have some solar so we can go for awhile without running the generator. We fill our fresh water tank for and bring drinking water," notes a long-time Spruce Run camper who has visited for over ten years.
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