While equestrian camping facilities are limited in the Paramus area, several nearby campgrounds offer general camping with access to natural surroundings within 60 miles. The region contains varied terrain from the Appalachian foothills to riverside locations, with elevations ranging from 120 to 1,600 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with winter dropping to 20-30°F, creating distinct camping seasons with peak occupancy from May through September.
What to do
Hiking the Appalachian Trail: Access the iconic trail from Stokes State Forest where "twelve miles are part of the Appalachian Trail" and you can "pick up a hiking map at the park office or download the Avenza Maps app." The Tillman Ravine trail offers a shorter option that can be made into a loop "to visit both the ravine and the nearby old cemetery."
Water recreation: Spruce Run Recreation Area provides multiple water activities with boat rentals available. A camper notes, "You can launch your kayak easily from the shore" and another mentions they "will be back as often as I can and hopefully be able to rent a kayak." The reservoir offers fishing opportunities with "life guarded swimming area" during summer months.
Visiting NYC: For campers interested in city attractions, Liberty Harbor RV Park offers unique access to urban experiences. "My wife visited Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island" while staying at the park, notes one reviewer. Another points out it's "minutes walk to the Statue of Liberty, Liberty Science Center. Two blocks away from NJ Path train into Manhattan or take the ferry to Wall Street!"
What campers like
Lakeside camping: Waterfront sites at Ocquittunk are highly rated, with one camper sharing, "We were able to position our tent facing the lake, it was beautiful!" Another notes the "rushing water will soothe you to sleep" at sites backing up to streams. The "views of the lake are nice, very peaceful" according to multiple reviewers.
Private, spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer good site separation. At Ocquittunk, "sites had a fire ring with a cooking grate and a picnic table and were well spaced out from other sites." Another camper at Stokes State Forest describes "individual sites were generously sized, shady, and relatively private thanks to the vegetation."
Wildlife viewing: The area offers opportunities to observe local wildlife. At Mohican Outdoor Center, campers report seeing "plenty of fish, snapping turtles, and other wildlife." Another camper at Spruce Run mentioned "a duck visited us every morning" at their waterfront site.
What you should know
Limited equestrian facilities: Horse campgrounds near Paramus, New Jersey are extremely limited. Despite being in an area with some equestrian trails, none of the reviewed campgrounds feature dedicated horse corrals or specialized equestrian camping amenities like stalls or wash racks.
Bear country awareness: Camp Mohican Outdoor Center and surrounding areas require proper food storage. As one camper at Stokes State Forest notes, "This is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided." The area also has "ticks and rattlesnakes" requiring appropriate precautions.
Bathroom quality varies: Facility maintenance differs considerably between campgrounds. One camper at Spruce Run complained, "The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting... someone's #2 remained all over the toilet, floor, and corner wall." However, at Stokes, "bathrooms are clean and nicely placed" according to another reviewer.
Tips for camping with families
Platform tent sites: Some locations offer raised platforms making tent setup easier with children. At Mohican Outdoor Center, "tent sites are either on the ground have wooden platforms" and the Group Campsite has "5-6 platforms, privys, big fire ring, a grill, a beatbox, a large pavilion w/picnic tables."
Cabin options: For families not ready for tent camping, cabins provide a comfortable alternative. At Stokes State Forest, "the cabins are reasonably priced and well-appointed" with "a bunk bed and two twins, a table with benches, two Adirondack chairs, a wood stove set into a fireplace." One family noted, "It's great to have the small kitchen when camping with the family."
Playgrounds and swimming: Spruce Run offers "several playgrounds, boat launches, and life guarded swimming area" making it suitable for families with children of various ages. The "clean, well kept" grounds provide "lots of grassy and open area" for kids to play.
Tips from RVers
NYC access considerations: For RVers planning to visit New York City from Liberty Harbor RV Park, plan your route carefully. One RVer advises, "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." Another notes they had "easy access with our 32 foot RV pulling our Jeep."
Site selection for larger rigs: At Spruce Run, one RVer recommends, "If bringing your RV, the safest bet is to reserve a spot with no shade as the other spots often times have very low hanging tree limbs." For waterfront sites, "we luckily have some solar so we can go for awhile without running the generator."
Hookup planning: Water and electric hookups are limited at many campgrounds. At Spruce Run, "there are some RV sites with water & electric which are not on the water, but in the parking lot. I would consider getting one on the water to enjoy the water and one in the parking lot to hook up the RV."
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