Campers seeking RV sites near Paterson, New Jersey find options ranging from rustic county parks to full-service RV resorts within a 30-mile radius. The northern New Jersey landscape includes the Skylands region with elevations reaching 1,500 feet, creating varied camping terrain from urban-adjacent locations to more secluded mountain settings. Fall camping season typically runs September through early November with nighttime temperatures dropping into the 40s by mid-October.
What to do
Statue of Liberty access from campgrounds: Liberty Harbor RV Park in Jersey City offers proximity to NYC landmarks. "Very convenient location. My wife visited Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The sites had electric and water and were in a fenced off section of the marina parking area," notes Kevin A., who found the location ideal for combining business trips with RV camping.
Swimming at local lakes: Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park provides access to Welch Lake for warm-weather recreation. "They have a beach. Their staff is friendly. I love going here," mentions Adaly. The beach area includes lifeguard supervision during summer months.
Trail hiking in Harriman State Park: Multiple trail systems connect to camping areas with varying difficulty levels. "This is an off-grid camping experience... short distance from NYC, very organized, clean pond, has a playground, showers, bathroom. Your phone will have signal," reports Zorina N. The park includes sections of the historic Appalachian Trail and other hiking routes suitable for all skill levels.
What campers like
Farm animal interactions: Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort offers unique livestock encounters. "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool," writes Faith D. Children particularly enjoy the opportunity to feed and observe farm animals at this Sussex, New Jersey location.
Privacy between sites: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers well-spaced camping areas. "Very nice forest! The campground is clean, paved nicely and well run. Our site is easily the nicest- all the way in the back with only one neighbor. It is so quiet here," reports Greg S. The spacious site layouts provide a sense of seclusion despite being relatively close to urban areas.
Off-season tranquility: Beaver Pond Campground offers a different experience during non-peak times. "We stayed here on a Thursday night in September prior to taking off backpacking. The campground was clean and quiet," notes Rebecca S., who adds that "mid-week during the off-season it was great" compared to potentially noisy summer weekends.
What you should know
Transit access to NYC: Skyline RV Camp - Waterfront provides direct access to public transportation. "A little intimidating driving in to a nondescript gate at the end of a narrow street but the overall experience exceeded expectation... there's a metro station within a 10-minute walk," reports Amy P. This makes it possible to park your RV and use public transit for city exploration.
Bear awareness required: Multiple campgrounds in the area have active wildlife. At Beaver Pond Campground, staff emphasize bear safety. "Expect to purchase firewood, although scrounging for kindling was possible," mentions Rebecca S., highlighting the importance of proper food storage and waste management in bear country.
Limited amenities at some sites: Some campgrounds offer basic services only. "No facilities, just a porta-jon, but i think that makes it better. Police patrolled, and dog friendly," says Paul N. about Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, appreciating the simplicity of the setup.
Tips for camping with families
Check playground facilities: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers family-friendly areas. "Very clean and quiet. 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," notes Jeff W., providing options for both outdoor and indoor activities.
Consider weekday visits: Beaver Pond Campground experiences significant differences between weekday and weekend crowds. "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," reports Rebecca S. Families seeking quieter experiences may prefer non-peak timing.
Look for educational opportunities: Many area campgrounds provide nature learning experiences. "About 30 minutes from sleepy hollow and tarrytown NY and only an hour to central park!! Deer running everywhere and surprisingly beautiful and quaint," mentions Megan B., highlighting the wildlife viewing opportunities at Beaver Pond.
Tips from RVers
Access route planning essential: Black Bear RV Park requires careful navigation. "Have stayed here several times - great location and nice, full hook-up sites. Back-in and pull through sites and can accommodate large rigs," reports Dave S., though RVers should verify current conditions as the park has undergone construction.
Winter camping limitations: Many campgrounds have reduced services in cold weather. At Black Bear RV Park, one visitor noted: "We are returning to the south after spending a couple months of fall in New England... this was our first stop and primarily chosen because it was one of the few places along our route that was open for RVs in the off season."
Advance planning for big rigs: Tri-State RV Park accommodates larger vehicles but requires preparation. "Big, same day reservations, friendly customer service... easy on and off on I 84. Great place to pull in for the night if you are traveling," notes Dave B., adding that the location works well for overnight stops while traveling through the region.
