RV camping locations near Oak Ridge are situated within the northern New Jersey highlands at elevations ranging from 800-1,200 feet. The region experiences moderate seasonal variations with winter overnight lows frequently dropping below freezing from November through March. Campers can access several state forests and county parks within a 30-minute drive, though camping availability varies significantly by season and advanced planning is essential during peak foliage season.
What to do
Trail exploration at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation: Located just minutes from Oak Ridge, this county park offers extensive hiking trails throughout its 3,400 acres. "There are plenty of trails, water (creeks, pond, lake) views and even if the place is packed there is PLENTY of room," notes one regular visitor to Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Farm activities at Pleasant Acres: Families camping in the area can interact with farm animals at this working farm campground. "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool," reports a camper at Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort. The animal encounters are accessible directly from the camping area.
Delaware River access: Several campgrounds provide river access for fishing, wading or wildlife viewing. One Tri-State camper noted, "They are located right on a river that you can easily access by foot. They have a decent laundry facility and full hook ups."
What campers like
Secluded wooded sites: Many Oak Ridge area campgrounds feature heavily wooded sites offering privacy despite being near populated areas. "The sites are wooded and large. They are paved and mostly level," writes a reviewer about Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
NYC day trips: Campers appreciate using regional campgrounds as bases for exploring New York City. "Very convenient location. My wife visited Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island," shares a visitor at Liberty Harbor RV Park, noting the convenient ferry and train access to Manhattan.
Urban views: The region offers unique camping opportunities with skyline views. "The view of the skyline across the water is spectacular and there's a metro station within a 10-minute walk," reports a Skyline RV Camp visitor. "The area feels safe and is pedestrian friendly, even at night."
What you should know
Winter RV options: Unlike many Northeast campgrounds, several locations near Oak Ridge offer year-round RV sites. A visitor to Tri-State RV Park notes, "Open during the winter. Easy on, easy off. Lots of pull through sites. CLEAN bathrooms, showers, laundry."
Highway proximity: Many full-hookup RV sites in the region trade natural settings for convenient highway access. "Located just off the highway so lots of vehicle noise 24/7. Sites are on a gravel lot," reports one camper, adding, "is just a parking lot with hookups."
Varying bathroom facilities: Campground restroom quality differs dramatically across facilities. "The bathrooms were closed for the winter, so we didn't get to use or see those," notes a Mountain Top visitor, while another camper at a different location reported, "The bath house was above average and heated."
Tips for camping with families
Animal encounters: Choose campgrounds with on-site farm animals for built-in entertainment. "My daughter loved the horses and goats," writes one parent camping at Pleasant Acres Farm, while another family noted, "Plenty to occupy the kids. Playground, hayride, animals to feed (goats, chickens, donkey and pony)."
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain playground facilities, though quality varies widely. "They have a small playground that would be better suited for older children," advises a family staying at Mountain Top RV Park.
Bear awareness: Parents should note that black bears are present in the Oak Ridge region. "There are a lot of bear warnings here so that gave us a bit of pause with our three little boys," cautions a family camping at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Tips from RVers
Water connection distances: Some campgrounds have unique water hookup systems. As one camper explains about the hose reels at their site, "Our site said 75' however the 50' hose reel made it to our rv connection."
Site selection strategy: When booking at Skyline RV Camp, a seasoned RVer recommends: "I couldn't find a map prior to my booking but would suggest requesting the highest number site available for best direct views."
Winter camping preparations: For cold-weather campers, some locations offer heated water connections. "The heated water pipe was broken so we had no water for the night," reports a Black Bear RV Park visitor, suggesting campers verify winter amenities are functioning properly.
