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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
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