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.

Best Camping Sites Near Pompton Lakes, New Jersey (132)

    1. Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park

    41 Reviews
    Pomona, NY
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 947-2792

    $17 - $20 / night

    "Drive-in tent campgrounds. Adequate restroom facilities sprinkled amongst tent sites. Some campsites have raised platforms. All sites have picnic tables and fire ring with flip-top grill."

    "The grounds are just steps away from Welch Lake, offering a lifeguard monitored sandy beach which is open during the summer season for swimming, fishing, and small boat craft further out."

    2. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation

    18 Reviews
    Jefferson, NJ
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 697-3140

    "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. They are wooded and large."

    "It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities."

    3. Camp Glen Gray

    2 Reviews
    Oakland, NJ
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (201) 327-7234

    $5 - $200 / night

    "One rustic place with many hiking trails to choose from. Camp also provides trucking of gear weather permitting. No vehicles allowed to drive through camp. Trading Post for treats and other items."

    "Lots of hiking trails. Trading post is well stocked and volunteers are always friendly and able to answer any questions"

    4. Sebago Cabin Camp — Harriman State Park

    6 Reviews
    Sloatsburg, NY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 429-2039

    $74 - $130 / night

    "It is a step up from cabin camping. They also have a beach behind it."

    "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."

    5. Stonetown Circular trail Primitive #1

    1 Review
    Ringwood, NJ
    6 miles

    "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."

    6. The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center — Harriman State Park

    6 Reviews
    Pomona, NY
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (617) 523-0636

    "This was beautiful campground with an even nicer lake. You are able to do a hike around the lake."

    "Great trails to hike for novices looking to branch out but not too large that you'll be lost forever lol highly recommend and can't do so enough 👍🏽"

    7. Stonetown Circular trail Primitive #2

    1 Review
    Ringwood, NJ
    7 miles

    "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."

    8. Wawayanda State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    New Milford, NJ
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 853-4462

    "It is off the beaten path without any running water or showers within walking distance."

    "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."

    9. Campgaw Mountain Reservation

    1 Review
    Ramsey, NJ
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (201) 327-3500

    10. Panther Lake Camping Resort

    17 Reviews
    Andover, NJ
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 347-4440

    "Panther lake was a pretty good campground with lots of spots to camp at. Our campsite had a picnic bench and a fire ring. They offer both RV and primitive camping."

    "The Lake is the gem of the campground with a really nice beach, good for fishing and kayaking. The negatives were the bathrooms. They are very primitive and quite dirty."

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Recent Reviews near Pompton Lakes, NJ

818 Reviews of 132 Pompton Lakes Campgrounds



Guide to Pompton Lakes

Camping near Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, offers a variety of experiences for nature lovers and families alike. With beautiful parks and campgrounds, you can enjoy the great outdoors while making lasting memories.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Worthington State Forest Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The trails are nice and well marked," making it a great spot for both beginners and experienced hikers.
  • Fishing: Head to Pickerel Point Campground for some fishing. A camper shared, "The site was well shaded for most of the day," perfect for a relaxing day by the water.
  • Wildlife Watching: At Stokes State Forest, you can enjoy spotting local wildlife. One happy camper noted, "I love it!" after spending weekends there, highlighting the area's natural beauty.

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers at Beaver Pond Campground. One reviewer said, "I enjoy the beach/lakefront, and regularly cleaned bathroom and shower facilities."
  • Privacy: Many campers enjoy the spacious sites at Tobyhanna State Park Campground. A visitor remarked, "Camp sites are generously sized, good spacing between sites and heavily treed."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner is a hit with families. One parent shared, "This place is so much fun. My whole family loved the activities."

What you should know

  • Noise Levels: Be mindful of noise at High Point State Park Campground. One camper experienced issues with noise complaints, stating, "We received complaints about the volume of our music."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Round Valley State Park Campground, have limited facilities. A camper noted, "The primitive restrooms aren’t maintained at all."
  • Access Challenges: At Clarence Fahnestock State Park, some sites require a bit of a hike to access. One visitor mentioned, "We had to leave the car on the road and carry all of our gear down a 200 ft long pathway covered in boulders."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Camp Taylor Campground, where kids can play and explore. One family said, "The kids are kids!!! They play in the creek, get dirty, build fires and hike."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep everyone entertained. A camper at Pickerel Point Campground suggested, "Take a hike around Conservation Island."
  • Pack Snacks: Bring plenty of snacks for the kids. A parent at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner found that "frozen treats" were a hit with their little ones.

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Stokes State Forest mentioned, "The campsites themselves are a little too close together in some spots."
  • Be Prepared for Hills: If you're towing, be ready for some steep hills. One camper at Camp Taylor Campground advised, "Make sure if you’re towing, you have a good tow vehicle because the hills on the way there are epic."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Stock up on essentials before you arrive. A visitor at Beaver Pond Campground noted, "You can’t beat the state parks," but having your own supplies is key.

Camping near Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation. With the right preparation, you can enjoy everything this beautiful area has to offer!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Pompton Lakes, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, Pompton Lakes, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 132 campgrounds and RV parks near Pompton Lakes, NJ and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Pompton Lakes, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Pompton Lakes, NJ is Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 41 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Pompton Lakes, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Pompton Lakes, NJ.

What parks are near Pompton Lakes, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Pompton Lakes, NJ that allow camping, notably Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Gateway National Recreation Area.