Camping options near Newark, New Jersey extend throughout the surrounding counties, with multiple state and county parks offering woodland experiences despite the urban setting. The region features both coastal and inland campgrounds at elevations ranging from sea level to over 1,200 feet in the northern highlands. Most campsites sit within deciduous forests where oak, maple, and poplar trees provide seasonal shade. Weather in spring and fall tends to be most comfortable for camping, with summer humidity levels often reaching 75-80%.
What to do
Hiking at Cheesequake: Several well-marked trails offer views of forests and wetlands just 20 miles south of Newark. "The trails range from easy to moderate with quite a few lookout locations. The elevation of the trails is not too strenuous. While also walking the trails, people are able to come across many picnic and resting areas," notes one visitor to Cheesequake State Park Campground.
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park offers target practice for bow hunters or recreational archers. "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels. Ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods," advises a regular camper at Turkey Swamp Park.
Boating and paddling: Several parks provide lake access for non-motorized watercraft. At Round Valley State Park, "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," explains a visitor who enjoyed the reservoir views.
Urban exploration: Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island offers historical structures amid camping areas. One visitor describes: "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."
What campers like
City access with natural settings: Campers appreciate sites that balance urban proximity with outdoor experiences. At 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. Water and electric hookups and a dump station. Convenient for hiking and exploring, it's also only a 20 minute drive to a large mall in Rockaway."
Affordability near expensive areas: Budget-minded campers note value relative to hotels. One camper at Beaver Pond Campground appreciated that it was "Camping for just $15. This is an off-grid camping experience. You can use your generator at certain hours. They have a beach. Their staff is friendly. I love going here."
Spacious, private sites: Turkey Swamp Park receives consistent praise for site layout. "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the forest. Sites are a little too close together and one of the sites we reserved was filled with broken glass, we did call the park office and they promptly sent someone out to clean it up."
Water recreation: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing, swimming and boating. At Round Valley, "The water is crystal clear... The view was KILLER. If you're looking for a getaway without doing backcountry planning this is the place."
What you should know
Primitive camping requirements: Some parks require physical effort to access sites. At Round Valley State Park Campground, "Located just south of I78 and near the small hamlets of Clinton and Lebanon, what I love most about Round Valley SP is the fact that it has its very own eponymous fresh water reservoir, which spanning some 2,350 acres and is 180 feed deep in the middle. It is the only NJ SP that actually offers up true wilderness camping (a.k.a. primitive), which can only be accessed by hiking 3 to 6 miles."
Urban noise considerations: Many campgrounds near Newark have road noise. At Cheesequake State Park Campground, "Located between two busy roads. Stayed in the family campground in a travel trailer. Longish bike ride or shortish drive to the main park. Used a fan in the trailer to block out the sound of traffic with the exception of some sports cars/motorcycles speeding loudly."
Wildlife concerns: Ticks and bears require appropriate precautions. One camper at Turkey Swamp Park reported: "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2. That was so crazy because we were just sitting by our camper." At Beaver Pond, visitors are warned about bears: "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."
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds operate April through October or November. Facilities vary considerably during shoulder seasons with some amenities closed.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: Cheesequake State Park offers accessible camping for new families. One camper notes it's "Perfect for first timers. 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. Great place for hiking."
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Several parks offer recreational areas specifically for children. At Sandy Hook, "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."
Water activities for kids: Water features provide natural entertainment. One visitor to Turkey Swamp Park noted: "Plenty to do over a 2 night stay. Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking. Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from. Campsites are roomy with electric and water hookups."
Sites with easy bathroom access: When camping with small children, proximity to facilities matters. "There is one restroom/shower house. Some campsites are close but our site was a 1/2 mile away," reports a Cheesequake camper, highlighting the importance of choosing sites strategically.
Tips from RVers
Urban RV parking: For city access, Liberty Harbor offers basic accommodations. "Getting in and out of the city is an adventure. Stay right off the highway to avoid the $30 tunnel toll. Follow RV life pro and not Waze," advises one RVer at Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Water connections: Several campgrounds require extra-long hoses. At Turkey Swamp Park, one RVer advised: "Nice, remote, private. Some sites unlevel. Bring a LONG water hose. Nice lake. Showers and washers and dryers."
Site selection for larger rigs: Space considerations vary widely between campgrounds. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, "The campsites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large. Water and electric hookups and a dump station."
Laundry access: Limited facilities exist for extended stays. One RVer at Liberty Harbor noted: "The laundry was not working properly and ate a good $5 of our quarters. We went to the office where the security guard told us that they cannot do anything."
