124 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Maplewood, New Jersey ranges from state park campgrounds to private resorts, with tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping within driving distance. The region includes several developed campgrounds such as Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, which offers tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations with full hookups, located approximately 30 miles west of Maplewood. Closer to the coast, Cheesequake State Park Campground provides both tent and RV sites seasonally from April to October. Sandy Hook in the Gateway National Recreation Area offers oceanside camping with basic amenities and access to beaches, while Liberty Harbor RV Park in Jersey City provides urban camping with skyline views about 10 miles east of Maplewood.
Most campgrounds in the region require reservations, particularly during peak summer months when sites fill quickly. Water and electric hookups are common in developed campgrounds, though amenities vary considerably between state parks and private resorts. Access to most camping areas involves paved roads with good clearance, making them accessible for standard vehicles. Seasonal availability is an important consideration, as many New Jersey state park campgrounds operate only from April through October due to weather conditions. Panther Lake Camping Resort and other private facilities in the area typically follow similar seasonal schedules. Cell service can be spotty in more remote areas, particularly in the western parts of the state. A camper noted, "Located in the Skylands of New Jersey, Mahlon Dickerson Campground is a perfect place to spend a few nights or a couple of weeks. The campsites are paved and mostly level."
The camping in the region often revolves around water features and wooded settings. Several visitors mentioned the scenic qualities of camping areas around lakes and reservoirs, particularly at Round Valley State Park Campground where boat-in camping offers a more secluded experience. Campers seeking sites near Maplewood can find various options with differing levels of privacy between sites, with state parks generally offering more natural separation than some private campgrounds. Noise levels can be an issue at campgrounds closer to urban areas or highways. A review mentioned that "This camping site is a set of 6 sites on the New Jersey border maintained by the National Park Service. We were very happy to see the openness of the sites. They were very large and while covered by 40+ ft trees were open enough to make you wish you brought more gear and people just because it would fit." Family-friendly amenities are common at private campgrounds, where playgrounds, swimming pools, and organized activities are frequently available.
"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 Availability"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
Check Availability"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."
"Once you are there, you can walk right across the street to a bayside inlet and sandy shore that is not highly trafficked because no one can park there except those using the campground."
"Rangers at the entrance regulate admittance thus, providing a safe environment within the confines of the base."
from $30 - $50 / night
Check Availability"You have a clear view of the Narrow bridge and at night the city lights light up your surroundings light a nigh light. The camp here has 7 campsites here and it fill up really fast."
"this place is awesome when it comes to finding an affordable place to stay while in NY, this camp ground isnt your usual forest camp sites, however there are some beautiful views, and it is located in"
from $30 / night
Check Availability"The crystal-clear water is home to huge lake trout and the forests are bursting with wildlife. The sunsets across the lake are to die for."
"Once you get to the campground trail it’s pretty easy going on asphalt surface."
from $529 - $1200 / night
Check Availability"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 $17 - $20 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability"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."
TravelerThis 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.
RangerWe 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.
TravelerAnother great experience. Sites were large. Staff was friendly with many different things for kids to do. Great base camp for local hikes.
ScoutAs far as experience it was good. The main issue was the campsite where we were was uneven and caused many of the sleeping arrangements that we had to be not level. This seems to be a specific issue to the group campsite number two as when we went inwards it seemed like everything else was much better.
GuideTwo night stay, large loud parties make it hard to enjoy but once most of them left it was nice to walk down to the river. Bath house with toilets and showers, not all lights working. No swimming access but boat access and trails for hiking.
ScoutNo hookups. It was wooded, quiet and dark at night. I used the dump station on my way out. The first time I ever saw a poop fountain. The sewer opening sticks up above ground level. The cover swivels away, so I couldn't put it on top of my hose. And then, when I tried to rinse it, there was nowhere for it to go, because the inlet is elevated.
ScoutWe reserved for a day. Very bad service. The river is super dirty and they did not even clean the trash cans. Besides, the fire ring has no grill cooking grate, so if you don’t bring your own NO GRILLING. Ryan was the person in front that took care of us, he was rude, my kids felt weird because he was not welcoming at all. Also, we try to ask for a partial refund since we did not felt comfortable since the beginning, and they said NO. We have experience camping, but this one was simply THE WORST. We lost the money but we won’t put our kids in a difficult situation. Thanks.
TravelerWe’ve been to Camp Taylor twice now for tent camping: September 2021 and May 2023. We stayed at the rustic tent sites both times, and there was room for 2 cars and 2 tents. Depending on how you want your setup, there are some that are more secluded and others that are close together and would be great for group camping.
The staff are all lovely and take the time to explain the rules both in-person at check-in and on the forms they provide at the time of booking. They are not hiding how seriously they take rules like quiet hours, and it will keep campers like me coming back. If you are respectful of the folks around you and especially during the posted quiet hours, you will have no problems.
The office and shop keep supply of snacks, firewood, and gifts. There are flush toilets mapped in spots of the tent sites (SUCH a pleasant surprise! I was expecting a porta-potty or vault toilet), and hot showers are available at the same complex as the office.
ScoutI spent 4 days and 3 nights with my 6th grade Girl Scouts. We were at sites 23 and 24 which worked out great because they back up against each other. The bathrooms were super clean and well maintained. There are outlets at the bathroom building by the sink to charge any electronics. The playground is adequate and the field is big for playing. There are many things to do close by too like the observatory, Round Valley beach, Grounds for Art, etc. We all really enjoyed ourselves and plan on returning.
Camping sites near Maplewood, New Jersey range in elevation from sea level to over 1,000 feet in the northwestern highlands. The region experiences humid continental climate with seasonal temperature swings of 70°F between winter and summer. Many campgrounds maintain operating seasons from April through October, with limited winter access due to snow and freezing conditions.
Swimming and boating access: At Round Valley State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy crystal clear water at the reservoir. "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," notes a camper at Round Valley State Park Campground.
Urban exploration: Staten Island's Gateway National Recreation Area offers unusual urban camping with historic structures. "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," explains a visitor to Staten Island — Gateway National Recreation Area.
Trail systems: Several campgrounds connect to extensive trail networks. "The hike up in the cushetunk mountain is really nice as well. If you're looking for a getaway without doing backcountry planning this is the place," reports a camper at Round Valley State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park features frequent wildlife sightings. A camper warns, "Welcome to Bear Mountain grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! He offers us a highlighted map to our site, wishes us a good stay, and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area," indicating the authentic wilderness experience at Beaver Pond Campground.
Water access: Sandy Hook offers oceanfront camping within 45 minutes of Maplewood. "Sandy Hook has all the necessities you need, bathroom, shower, and the occasional food truck. There is even a trail that runs parallel to the beach making it a scenic ride," describes a visitor to Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area.
Large campsites: Many campers appreciate the spacious sites at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation. "The campground is small but also secluded. We always hike to the lake here, it's a very easy hike and also very peaceful," shares a regular visitor to the reservation.
Site reservation limitations: Liberty Harbor RV Park has limited space and requires advanced booking. "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," explains a recent guest at Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Accessibility challenges: Some campgrounds require significant effort to access. "Located just south of I78 and near the small hamlets of Clinton and Lebanon, I highly recommend you boat in as the hiking path is incredibly difficult to manage without hauling all of your camping gear," advises a camper at Round Valley State Park Campground.
Urban noise levels: Campgrounds closer to NYC often have ambient noise. "The Parkway is right there so it's not a nice quiet place," notes a camper at Cheesequake State Park Campground, while another mentions, "We had some issues with other campers and hikers being young and partying and just being very ignorant."
Activity-focused campgrounds: Panther Lake Camping Resort offers extensive family programming. "Fun camping place to book groups. Very kid and pet friendly, lake to fish and kayak on, lots of activities, great pool and awesome hot tub," recommends a family visitor to Panther Lake Camping Resort.
Campgrounds with playgrounds: Several sites offer kid-friendly facilities. "Short distance from NYC, very organized, clean pond, has a playground, showers, bathroom. Your phone will have signal," notes a parent who visited Beaver Pond Campground.
First-time camper options: Some sites are particularly suitable for beginners. "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," mentions a camper at Cheesequake State Park Campground.
Site spacing and privacy: RV sites vary widely in spacing and seclusion. "The sites had electric and water and were in a fenced off section of the marina parking area. It was a little loud with city noises, but exactly what we expected being so close," explains an RVer at Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Hookup availability: Water and electric options vary by location. "We had some issues with our converter and they wanted to extort a 20% commission to allow our repair man in. A bit of logical conversation put that idea to sleep," shares an RVer about their experience at Liberty Harbor.
Dump station access: Some campgrounds have limited dump facilities. "Easy to navigate our 38 ft. RV. Easy to dump and fill. Peaceful. Close to train to N.Y. City," notes an RVer who stayed at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Maplewood, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Maplewood, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 124 campgrounds and RV parks near Maplewood, NJ and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Maplewood, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Maplewood, NJ is Liberty Harbor RV Park with a 3.8-star rating from 16 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Maplewood, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Maplewood, NJ.
What parks are near Maplewood, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Maplewood, NJ that allow camping, notably Gateway National Recreation Area and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
Keep Exploring
