Camping options near Morris Plains, New Jersey range from rustic forest settings to convenient city-access locations. The area sits within the New Jersey Highlands region at elevations between 400-1,000 feet, creating varied camping terrain with rolling hills and wooded environments. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from April through October, with limited winter availability due to the region's cold temperatures and occasional snowfall.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provides direct access to numerous hiking paths, including trails to a scenic lake. "My fiancé, dog, and I have been going here for over 2 years and we love it. The campground is small but also secluded. We always hike to the lake here, it's a very easy hike and also very peaceful," notes Paulene-Amanda M. from Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
NYC sightseeing: Camp within reach of Manhattan at Liberty Harbor RV Park. "The light rail is a block away, and the path train is about 8. Having a view of Lady Liberty out your window is priceless," shares Joe R. The park offers convenient transit options with "a ferry 100-yards away that takes you to Wall Street M-F," according to Shawn B.
Farm animals interaction: Families can enjoy animal encounters at Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort. "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool," writes Faith D. Another camper adds, "There were some organized activities which was nice... Plenty to occupy the kids. Playground, hayride, animals to feed (goats, chickens, donkey and pony)."
What campers like
Views of NYC skyline: Liberty Harbor RV Park provides unique urban camping with city views. Keith and Tia S. explain it's "all about location. The closest RV park to NYC... Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room." Karen S. notes, "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."
Peaceful wooded sites: Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South offers tranquil forested camping. "Simple Campground - nice lay out albeit as with many campgrounds, the spaces are quite close together. With a sparse population in the winter, it made for a great spot," reports JL. Another camper described it as "Well kept, wooded sites on a mountain."
Clean facilities: Mountain Top RV Park maintains well-kept amenities. "The newly upgraded camp infrastructure elevated the stay, providing amenities for comfort and entertainment. The investment in new 50amp wiring, upgraded sewer systems, and newer water lines provided convenient camping experience," according to Jason G. from Mountain Top RV Park.
What you should know
Seasonal operation limits: Most RV parks near Morris Plains close during winter months. Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South operates from "May 1 to October 31" according to their listing information, while Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort runs from "Apr 1 - Oct 31."
Cell service variability: Coverage depends on specific campground location and carrier. At Timothy Lake South, "Cell service is ok. Verizon is 25 down 10 up. Tmobile is unusable," reports Don C.
Winter camping options: Limited RV parks remain open year-round. Tri-State RV Park offers winter camping according to BENdejo ~, who notes it's "Open during the winter. Easy on, easy off. Lots of pull through sites... CLEAN bathrooms, showers, laundry. Super nice owners. Perfect for an overnight stop."
Reservation requirements: Booking ahead is essential during peak seasons. "We had to come to the area kind of last minute, and they were very accommodating!" shares @HomegrownRV about Mountain Top RV Park, though this experience may not be typical during busy periods.
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Some campgrounds offer better play areas than others. At Pleasant Acres, "There is a small playground, a mini golf, and a large dog walk," though Bill B. notes that amenities are located at the top of the hill while "camping spots are downhill, a good distance from the office and amenities."
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with scheduled events. At NWS Earle RV Park, Jeffrey notes it's "only an hour from Manhattan & 20 more minutes from the shore. If you're planning a visit to either this campground is cheap, clean & quiet."
Budget considerations: Campground prices vary significantly across the region. Jeffrey at NWS Earle RV Park mentions it's "cheap, clean & quiet" while Ericka T. reports Liberty Harbor charges "the $120 price per night" which she found "ridiculous. But being that they have no competitors in the area (and they know it), RVers wanting a quick escape to see NYC can get it here."
Tips from RVers
Navigation challenges: Some RV parks have difficult access routes. At Tri-State RV Park, Michael H. notes it's "Located just off the highway so lots of vehicle noise 24/7. Sites are on a gravel lot." BENdejo ~ provides specific directions: "Ext 53. Straight at the light. Drive all the way down to the end of the road."
Site selection strategy: Choosing the right spot improves your experience. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, Christina L. advises, "I suggest site 7. It is on a hill so have a hand truck or a few people to carry stuff. Trust me it is worth it and I think it's the best tent site they have."
Water connection solutions: Some parks have innovative solutions for shared hookups. At Mahlon Dickerson, "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," reports antruze.
Dump station access: Plan for convenient waste disposal. Mahlon Dickerson offers "a dump station has a flush hose point. Nice and easy little campground," according to antruze, making it a practical option for RV parks near Morris Plains, New Jersey.
