Limited camping options exist within 20 miles of North Bergen, New Jersey, with most established campgrounds at least 40-60 miles from the urban area. Camping near North Bergen requires planning for tolls and traffic congestion that impacts travel times significantly. Year-round campgrounds are scarce in the region, with most operational from April through October.
What to do
Statue of Liberty views: Liberty Harbor RV Park provides unique city skyline access where "you can see the Statue of Liberty from there" according to Kevin A., who stayed in a 32-foot RV. The park is located at the edge of Jersey City with convenient transportation to major attractions.
Hiking trails: Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park offers "hiking trails all over the place" according to Kelvin, who visited with family. The campground sits 40 miles from North Bergen with trails rated from easy to challenging.
Swimming opportunities: Many campgrounds near North Bergen close beach access after summer season. At Clarence Fahnestock State Park, "the beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite," notes Courtney D., making fall camping more private.
Public transportation: Commuting from North Bergen campgrounds to Manhattan is most efficient via public transit. Amy P. notes that at Skyline RV Camp "there's a metro station within a 10-minute walk" and the "area feels safe and is pedestrian friendly, even at night."
What campers like
Weather protection: At Beaver Pond Campground, Ethan K. appreciated that "many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained or if you are expecting rain during your stay." These raised sites keep equipment dry during typical Northeast precipitation.
Off-season tranquility: Rebecca S. found Beaver Pond Campground peaceful during shoulder season: "Ranger said that during summer weekends the grounds fill up and can be quite noisy, but mid-week during the off-season it was great." Visiting between major holidays reduces crowding.
Bathroom facilities: While accommodations vary widely, Amy P. noted that at Skyline RV Camp, "on-site bathrooms were warm and clean. There were portable showers available," though she cautioned about "broken shower head holders and lack of shelving/hooks for towels & clothing."
Site privacy: At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, Greg S. found "the sites are spaced well and have a nice bonus of large fire rings set back in the woods a bit from the pad that you park on." This county park offers "large, wooded campsites with electric and water."
What you should know
Limited wintertime options: Most campgrounds near North Bergen close seasonally. At Black Bear RV Park, which remains open year-round, Gabbie Y. warned that "some sites might not have working water and staff could be difficult to get in touch with after hours" during winter months.
Bear activity: Wildlife encounters require proper preparation in this region. At Beaver Pond, Steve W. received an explicit warning upon check-in: "'Welcome to Bear Mountain' grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! He is in his ranger hut, checking in the late evening arrivals to the campground... and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area."
Location changes: Campgrounds in the region occasionally relocate or change management. John T. warns that "Skyline RV Camp has moved to 50 Noble St, Brooklyn, NY 11222. The original property location at 2 Oak St was sold and is now private property... There no longer is a waterfront view of the NYC skyline when camping at Skyline RV."
Reservation requirements: Most rv sites near North Bergen, New Jersey require advance booking, especially in peak season. Jeff W. notes that while Mahlon Dickerson Reservation is "convenient for hiking and exploring, it's also only a 20 minute drive to a large mall in Rockaway," making it popular among locals.
Tips for camping with families
Animal interactions: Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort incorporates farm animals into the campground experience. Janelle G. reports: "Plenty to occupy the kids. Playground, hayride, animals to feed (goats, chickens, donkey and pony)."
Budget considerations: For families watching expenses, Beaver Pond Campground offers affordable rates. Adaly shares that it provides "camping for just $15" with "a beach" and "friendly staff," making it accessible for multi-day stays with children.
Space requirements: Family groups need sufficient room for activities. Greg S. recommends securing sites "all the way in the back with only one neighbor" at Mahlon Dickerson, noting "it is so quiet here" and the sites feature large clearings where children can play safely.
Safety awareness: Urban-adjacent camping requires different security considerations than wilderness camping. Amy P. noted at Skyline RV that "the area feels safe and is pedestrian friendly, even at night (we were there Halloween night and we took our kids out trick-or-treating just outside the gate)."
Tips from RVers
Water access solutions: RV sites near North Bergen, New Jersey often have creative solutions for water hookups. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, Antruze notes: "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."
Navigational challenges: Urban campgrounds require careful navigation. Joe R. advises Liberty Harbor visitors to "stay right off the highway to avoid the $30 tunnel toll. Follow RV life pro and not Waze" when approaching from certain directions.
Electrical requirements: Most campgrounds near North Bergen offer 30-amp service, with 50-amp availability limited to certain sites. At NWS Earle RV Park, Jeffrey notes that "power is at the far back & sewage is in the middle (left to right). A longer camper will be parked over the sewage connection," requiring planning for hose and cord placement.
Dump station logistics: Access to sanitary dumping varies between facilities. Jeffrey also observed that Earle RV Park has "a dump station has a flush hose point. Nice and easy little campground," while other facilities may have more complicated arrangements or limited hours for dumping.
