3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Tent campers near Paterson, New Jersey can find established sites within an hour's drive at several state parks and recreation areas. Campgaw Mountain Reservation in northern New Jersey offers tent sites with basic amenities, while the primitive tent sites along Stonetown Circular Trail provide a more secluded backcountry experience. Harriman State Park in nearby New York state features multiple tent camping options within 30 miles of Paterson.
Most tent campgrounds in the region require permits and have specific regulations regarding fires. Campgaw Mountain provides free tent sites with toilets, trash collection, and water hookups, though sites lack electric connections and showers. The primitive tent sites along Stonetown Circular Trail are more challenging to access, requiring hikers to pack light due to rock scrambles along the 11-mile loop trail. One camper noted, "This is a great spot to set up camp because it has a wide area and an amazing view," though they warned about the difficult approach with heavy gear. Most tent campsites in the area permit fires in designated rings, and several allow pets, making them suitable for campers with dogs.
Tent campers at Stonetown Circular Trail have access to two distinct primitive sites approximately 2-4 miles into the hike. The first site sits atop a mountain with expansive views, while the second location is adjacent to a flowing stream providing fresh water. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, the second site is "a pretty spread out site with plenty of level space to set up multiple tents" and includes a fire pit for cooking and water heating. Wawayanda State Park Campground offers additional tent camping options with varying terrain conditions, though some campers report that finding completely level ground can be challenging. The region's tent sites generally provide good access to hiking trails, with many connecting to longer routes suitable for day hikes or backpacking trips from your basecamp.
"Campfires are restricted to certain areas and you have to share. They do have bear boxes available as this is bear country. Very well run campground and cabins. Great Lake to swim."
"I camped on one of the platforms, which was very nice and did not feel crowded even with other people on neighboring platforms. One highlight was having meals cooked by the stellar chef."
"Stonetown Circular trail is a 11 mile medium/high difficulty loop trail. This is the first of two primitive sites along the trail. The trailhead is across the street from a large parking lot."
"Stonetown Circular trail is a 11 mile medium/high difficulty loop trail. This is the second of two primitive sites along the trail. The trailhead is across the street from a large parking lot."
"Tent sites are very private with some dirt roads to exit out but thats what make it unique experience! Bathrooms with shower is near by and has plenty porta potties all around."
"Peaceful and gorgeous campsite, with plenty of space between sites. Great view of the Hudson, and playground within sight of our camper."
from $30 - $60 / night
"Fantastic loop hike near some amazing hidden lakes. One downside is there were obviously people who had visited and didn't understand what LEAVE NO TRACE means. We'll bring a trashbag next time."
"It is off the beaten path without any running water or showers within walking distance."
"You have a clear view of the Narrow bridge and at night the city lights light up your surroundings light a nigh light. The camp here has 7 campsites here and it fill up really fast."
"this place is awesome when it comes to finding an affordable place to stay while in NY, this camp ground isnt your usual forest camp sites, however there are some beautiful views, and it is located in"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
"There are 20 tent sites spread across four loops. There is NO beach access. Some sites have shelters, others do not. Pay attention when reserving. All sites have a fire pit and picnic table."
"Bathrooms are serviceable overall (no showers as others have noted), and the place is intermittently staffed; bring everything you need."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 - $50 / night
"The crystal-clear water is home to huge lake trout and the forests are bursting with wildlife. The sunsets across the lake are to die for."
"Unlike traditional campgrounds, the campsites are accessible only by hiking or boating, so getting anywhere here requires some planning and a willingness to travel light."
"This was a great campsite nestled in the foothills of Northern NJ on the NY border. Small, clean with great views and great location for hiking , cruising etc."
"The campground is also near the Appalachian trail while still only about an hour from Manhattan! Check them out and leave a review with your adventures during your stay!"
from $50 - $275 / night
TravelerMike grandson and I had a fun time he enjoyed the little beach and especially the playground. The staff in the office were very nice. Bathrooms were clean but can be updates.
LegendThere's something wonderfully special about escaping into nature where the only sounds are rustling leaves, birds singing and the gentle movement of water along the shoreline. Nestled among the wooded hills surrounding the beautiful Round Valley Reservoir, this rustic SP campground offers families a chance to disconnect from everyday distractions and enjoy a little wilderness adventure together. Unlike traditional campgrounds, the campsites are accessible only by hiking or boating, so getting anywhere here requires some planning and a willingness to travel light. Once you've arrived, you'll find secluded, wooded campsites with picnic tables, fire rings and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Amenities are basic, with pit toilets and no showers, but the beautiful reservoir, scenic hiking trails, fishing and kayaking opportunities more than make up for the lack of modern conveniences. Our kids loved exploring the woods, spotting wildlife and gathering around a crackling campfire at night to share stories beneath the stars. For families comfortable with the hike, I'd recommend choosing one of the campsites along the reservoir shoreline for the lovely water views and peaceful surroundings. Just remember that swimming is limited to the park's designated beach area. Round Valley isn't your typical family campground, but for adventurous families who enjoy hiking, camping under the stars and making wonderful memories together, it's a beautiful place to experience nature at its finest!
ScoutNice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
RangerI'll start by saying this is a site-specific review (C20). I booked using Campspot and didn't select my own site but put in the criteria for my rig (30ft TT plus truck) and got a 50A back-in spot. The site was big but abnormal. Between the picnic table placement and the trees, I ended up right around 50ft from the electric and water, and the water spigot was so low I could barely put on my camco filter. With the uneven dirt roads, I had to unhitch with my truck in a gigantic puddle (lol). The site was otherwise fine aside from my gate code not working on Day 2. As for the campground as a whole, I thought it was pretty unique place by the river that offered several good amenities and activities, like downstream river tubing, an arcade, bathroom/shower facilities, a small store, little trails, and more. I would say this place borders the more primitive side.
ScoutOn Friday, September 4, 2026, I rented a trailer and brought my family to Cheesequake State Park to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary over the extended Labor Day weekend. Around 9:20 PM—well before the park's designated 10:00 PM quiet hours—we were sitting inside our canopy, playing Jenga, and listening to low background music. Two officers from the Matawan Police Department approached our campsite. They were polite and courteous, simply offering a standard reminder to wrap things up by 10:00 PM. Before they could leave, however, a third, senior officer intervened. Wanting to"show them how it's done," he made the two polite officers return and stand by to watch as he demonstrated how to aggressively harass campers. Flashlight in hand, the senior officer approached with an immediate hostile attitude, treating us like criminals as he demanded to know who rented the site. He began reiterating rules and claimed we had too many vehicles. We had three cars, one belonging to my brother-in-law's girlfriend, who was visiting with her daughter. She had paid the$10 visitor fee at the main office and was instructed by staff to obtain the gate access code from us, the primary renters, if she got locked in. No staff member ever informed her of an 8:00 PM visitor departure deadline, leading us to reasonably assume visitors were permitted until quiet hours began at 10:00 PM. The officer rudely snapped that she had been given wrong information. The senior officer then used profanity in front of three small children, aggressively telling her to ("get her shit and get the fuck out!") in that manner or use profanity, the officer went from hostile to furious. He angrily declared that these were official violations and threatened that he could be issuing us tickets instead. Desperately searching for anything and everything to throw at us, he demanded that we turn off our idling car—which was supplying power to our campsite—and instructed us to make sure the campfire was doused before shutting down for the night. He then proceeded to shine his flashlight into our private setup—including our canopy, tents, and the inside of our trailer—searching for any other possible violation while the two polite officers were forced to watch. What was supposed to be a special 10th wedding anniversary celebration with my family was completely ruined by a senior officer misusing his authority to put on an unnecessary display of intimidation. Worse than just ruining our night, he spent that evening teaching those two police officers how to be bad cops. He corrupted two officers in real time, demonstrating firsthand exactly why most people have lost faith in the police force. The next day we was ready for them. We turned off our lights and quietly by the fire while they went next door to harass an asian family that had just set up camp and had their leds lights on.
GuideDefinitely a wide variety of sites—look at the site pictures before booking—there are two areas where it’s just an open field with bonfires and picnic tables that I’d avoid. I could see a large group going there or something but personally it doesn’t offer any privacy.
BUT if you book one of the other sites that DOES have privacy you’ll be in camping heaven. The “hike in” sites are more like “walk-in,” I was worried at first but it’s some are as little as a few yards from the road. The most annoying part was lugging the cooler back and forth, but totally worth it
GuideBooked the day before—even on the holiday weekend! Just 1.5 hours outside of NYC, site was a bit close to the neighbors (fire pit was very far back and basically in the neighbors’ campsite, but we put up a “privacy clothesline” and hung a tarp over it for a bit of extra coverage.
The staff was friendly and helpful, they said it was the busiest they’ve seen the campground all year (there were lots of large groups but everyone seemed to settle down by 9:30pm
Poison ivy was EVERYWHERE at our site so make sure to stick to the open areas and the paths. Lots of families around, we felt very safe Bathrooms were fine—it was my impression they’re usually cleaner but the high traffic of the weekend left a bit to be desired, (lots of families around=dirty diapers in the bathroom trash bin) but it’s camping! I’m not gonna argue w a flushing toilet!
TravelerThis area seems to be devoid of campgrounds except for this one. It’s basically just a large parking lot with hook ups. Completely open, which is great for Starlink. Bathrooms were slightly above average; fairly clean and places to hang clothes for your shower. Has a laundry but be sure to bring quarters. It is about 100 yards from the interstate so you’ll get a lot of noise and diesel exhaust fumes.
RangerWe camped here in our pop up for our Anniversary in November. We were impressed with the cleanliness and available amenities for the time of year we were camping in! Close proximity to DWG and PA AND NJ attractions.
Cabin camping options near Paterson, New Jersey provide rustic lodging within a 30-60 minute drive of the city. These accommodations range from basic structures with cots and electricity to more developed cabins with kitchenettes. Most cabins in the region require advance reservations, especially during summer and fall weekends when availability becomes limited.
Swimming at nearby lakes: Sebago Cabin Camp in Harriman State Park features a large lake with beach areas for summer recreation. According to one visitor, "Sebago has a huge lake and great beach area. It was perfect for lounging and swimming in during a hot summer day." For additional swimming options, another camper recommends: "Don't expect to swim on site- go to Lake Welch near by!"
Outdoor movie nights: Several cabin campgrounds host evening entertainment during summer weekends. At Sebago Cabin Camp, rangers organize "outdoor movies and communal bonfires on weekends," with one reviewer noting they "also do Karaoke nights too."
Urban exploration: Staten Island Gateway offers a unique combination of camping and city views. A camper explains: "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."
Rustic cabin simplicity: The cabins at AMC Harriman Outdoor Center offer basic but comfortable accommodations. A reviewer described their experience: "I camped on one of the platforms, which was very nice and did not feel crowded even with other people on neighboring platforms. One highlight was having meals cooked by the stellar chef."
Digital disconnection: Many cabin campers appreciate the lack of connectivity at these sites. A reviewer at Sebago Cabin Camp mentioned, "Absolutely zero phone service (for T-Mobile) which was AMAZING. There's a few very cute small towns nearby with surprisingly modern restaurants and friendly people."
Proximity to NYC: The cabin camps near Paterson provide quick getaways from urban areas. As one camper at Sebago noted, "This place is only an hour away from NYC with so much to do and see. These cabins are VERY rustic, four walls, a cot, and a fridge. You still feel like you are 'roughing it' but with the convenience of a fridge."
Cabin amenities vary significantly: Cabins range from bare-bones to moderately equipped. At Sebago, "most cabins have 2 rooms with 4 cots but some are larger inside has a full fridge and double hot plate outside a fire pit and grill with table."
Reservation systems differ: Each park has its own reservation process. At Croton Point Park, "The reservation process is a bit wonky. You need to call (no online reservations) and then wait for an e-mail, but the e-mail does not tell you your assigned site; you have to wait until you check in to find out your site."
Price considerations: Cabin camping costs more than tent camping in the region. A visitor to Sebago Cabin Camp noted, "It was definitely more on the pricier end for just a weekend camping getaway, however, because of the cabins and nicer amenities."
Limited privacy: Many cabin areas have minimal separation between sites. At Croton Point Park, "The FHU sites were back-to-back and although there were trees separating the sites, they were close together."
Kid-friendly programming: Round Valley State Park offers activities for children throughout the summer season. According to a reviewer, it "has so much for the kids to do. Highlights was the flying smores that will be a story for the grandchildren someday."
Cabin camping with ranger programs: Sebago Cabin Camp offers family-oriented activities led by park staff. One camper mentioned, "they do big bon fire on Saturday very kid friendly ranger Joe is excellent with the kids and they have fire wood for purchase on site."
Beach access for families: Several cabin locations provide lake access with designated swimming areas. A visitor to Croton Point Park noted, "Short 5 minute drive to nearby supermarket to pick up food or firewood. I would highly recommend it. Oh...and did i say, gorgeous scenery along the river and a private beach which is opened from Wednesday to the weekend with life guards on duty!"
Limited full-hookup options: Most cabin areas do not accommodate large RVs, but some parks have designated RV sections. At Wawayanda State Park Campground, a camper observed that sites have "not very much completely level terrain but nothing you can't sleep on (that is it is a dirt/grass ground however not too level)."
Alternating between cabin and RV: Some visitors combine cabin stays with RV camping. At Sandy Hook Gateway, a reviewer noted some sites "do have a wooden pavilion covering the picnic table. Sites also have metal storage units for locking up foodstuffs to protect them from being pilfered by the numerous and bold raccoons."
Seasonal restrictions: Several parks with cabins and RV sites close during winter months. Round Valley State Park Campground operates "April 1 to October 31" while Wawayanda follows the same seasonal schedule, requiring advance planning for early or late season visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Paterson, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Paterson, NJ is Campgaw Mountain Reservation with a 3-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Paterson, NJ?
TheDyrt.com has all 36 tent camping locations near Paterson, NJ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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