Best Campgrounds near Pompton Lakes, NJ
Campgrounds near Pompton Lakes, New Jersey range from established state parks to private resorts, with most facilities located within a 30-mile radius of town. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers large, wooded campsites with water and electric hookups for tents, RVs, and cabins, while Harriman State Park's Beaver Pond Campground provides tent and RV sites with various amenities including showers and toilets. Camp Glen Gray features cabin accommodations with electric hookups and shower facilities. The region includes both drive-in sites with full hookups and more primitive hike-in options like those found along the Stonetown Circular trail.
Access to campgrounds varies seasonally, with many facilities operating from April through October or early November. Wawayanda State Park Campground remains open from April 1 to October 31, while Beaver Pond Campground at Harriman State Park typically operates from April 22 to October 9. Several campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly for weekend stays during summer months. The terrain throughout the region features wooded, sometimes rocky sites that may present challenges for larger RVs. Campgaw Mountain Reservation permits tent and RV camping but requires permits and offers limited amenities. As one camper noted about Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, "Located in the Skylands of New Jersey, Mahlon Dickerson Campgound is a perfect place to spend a few nights or a couple of weeks. The campsites are paved and mostly level."
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw in the region, with several campgrounds offering lake or river access. Wawayanda State Park provides boat-in camping options alongside traditional drive-in sites. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area features multiple boat-in campsites along the river, accessible only by canoe or kayak. Campers frequently mention privacy and natural surroundings as highlights of their experiences. A review of Sandyston Boat In Campsites described it as having "quite a bit of room, and the site was very clean." Many campgrounds in the area maintain a balance between accessibility and natural setting, with several state parks offering hiking trails directly from campsites. Cell phone reception varies significantly throughout the region, with some remote areas having limited or no service.