Leo C.
Scout
ScoutWinding Hills Park
Nice but dated
Nice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
Camping near Pompton Plains, NJ
137 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add dates
Campgrounds in the Pompton Plains area of New Jersey feature a mix of county park facilities and primitive camping options within a short drive. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provides developed sites with paved, level camping pads, electric hookups, and water access in a wooded setting. Camp Glen Gray offers both cabin accommodations and tent sites in a rustic forest environment. Several campgrounds in the region maintain RV-friendly facilities with varying hookup options, while primitive campsites can be found along trails such as the Stonetown Circular route, which provides backcountry experiences about 10 miles from Pompton Plains.
The camping season for most established sites runs from April through October, with some facilities like Panther Lake Camping Resort extending from April 1 to November 1. Several campgrounds require permits or reservations, particularly during summer weekends. "The sites are very large and I suggest site 7. It is on a hill so have a hand truck or a few people to carry stuff. Trust me it is worth it," noted one visitor to Mahlon Dickerson Reservation. Bear activity warnings are common throughout the area, and campers should prepare accordingly with proper food storage. Terrain varies significantly, with some sites requiring difficult rock scrambles to access, while others offer convenient drive-in options with paved parking pads. Cell phone coverage is inconsistent throughout the region, particularly in more remote areas.
Many campers report high satisfaction with the spaciousness and privacy of sites in the area. The Stonetown Circular trail includes primitive camping areas that require hiking 2-4 miles from trailheads, with one site positioned at the top of a mountain offering expansive views and another located beside a flowing stream. A recent review highlighted: "The campground is small but also secluded. We always hike to the lake here, it's a very easy hike and also very peaceful." Mixed-use campgrounds like Mahlon Dickerson combine RV sites with tent platforms and lean-to shelters, providing options for different camping styles. While some campgrounds lack extensive amenities, visitors consistently praise the natural setting and tranquility of the forested camping areas around Pompton Plains.
Best Campgrounds near Pompton Plains (137)
1. 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. They are wooded and large."
"It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities."
2. Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park
"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."
from $21 - $24 / night
Check Availability3. Camp Glen Gray
"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"
from $5 - $200 / night
Check Availability4. Sebago Cabin Camp — Harriman State Park
"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."
from $130 / night
Check Availability5. Liberty Harbor RV Park
"This is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC. It's basically a parking lot with a dump station. Not much else. Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room."
"Basicly a parking lot, but the location can't be beat. 2 ferries that run to Manhattan. Path train is a 12 minute walk away that will take you yyo manhatten."
from $145 - $180 / night
Check Availability6. Stonetown Circular trail Primitive #1
"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."
7. Panther Lake Camping Resort
"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."
8. Stonetown Circular trail Primitive #2
"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."
9. Wawayanda State Park Campground
"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."
10. Campgaw Mountain Reservation
Drive Time
- 29 min from Kiryas Joel, NY
- 35 min from New York, NY
- 1 hr 11 min from Bridgeport, CT
- 1 hr 14 min from Trenton, NJ
Recent Camping Photos near Pompton Plains, NJ
482 Photos of 137 Pompton Plains Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Campgaw Mountain Reservation
Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
Wawayanda Group Shelter
Tentrr Signature Site - Appalachian Trail Hilltop Hideaway - Coleman Cooking Site
Moon Valley CampgroundD
Woodland Trails
Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park
Kittatinny Valley State Park Campground
Black Bear RV ParkT
Great Divide Campground
Croton Point Park
Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort
Recent Reviews near Pompton Plains, NJ
875 Reviews of 137 Pompton Plains Campgrounds
Thomas B.
RangerNeversink River Resort
Cool Riverside Campground
I'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.
Edwin R.ScoutCheesequake State Park Campground
Park uses county cops to shut down park by 9pm.
On 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.
- eedgar V.Scout
Black Bear RV Park
Super clean and quiet
Past reviews has mentioned that the office seems to be closed often, while I found that to be true I had no reason to contact anyone. This is definitely one of the cleanest quiets site I’ve ever visited
- KKelly B.
GuideClarence Fahnestock State Park Campground
Check site photos first
Definitely 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
- KKelly B.Guide
Stephens State Park Campground
Great last min getaway
Booked 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!
- KKevin F.
TravelerTri-State RV Park
A place to stay in an area lacking campgrounds.
This 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.
- Sue B.Ranger
Delaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA
Great off season camping
We 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.
- JJayTraveler
Delaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA
Large sites & friendly staff!
Another great experience. Sites were large. Staff was friendly with many different things for kids to do. Great base camp for local hikes.
Guide to Pompton Plains
Camping sites near Pompton Plains, New Jersey range from primitive backcountry spots to developed campgrounds with amenities. The area sits within the Highlands region at elevations between 200-1000 feet, creating varied terrain for different camping experiences. Most campgrounds in this region experience typical Northeast seasonal changes with camping season running April through October, though weather can extend or shorten these timeframes.
What to do
Hiking on marked trails: Wawayanda State Park Campground provides access to numerous trails including sections of the Appalachian Trail. "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," notes a visitor who plans to bring a trash bag on future hikes.
Kayaking and water activities: The lakes and ponds throughout the region offer water recreation opportunities during summer months. A camper at Sebago Cabin Camp advised: "Ignore the hotplate and just cook on a fire or other outdoor set up. Don't expect to swim on site - go to Lake Welch near by!"
Winter sports: Some camping areas convert to winter recreation destinations during off-season. Campgaw Mountain Reservation transforms into a ski area when temperatures drop, though one camper notes the campground itself can be "busy but lonely" with "super popular hiking trails that run right through all the camps."
What campers like
Secluded sites: Camp Glen Gray earns praise for its rustic isolation. "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," explains a satisfied camper.
Clean facilities: Beaver Pond Campground receives consistent positive feedback about maintenance. "The campground was clean and quiet. RV hook-ups, tent platforms, and rustic tent sites were available. Our rustic tent site had a few good options for pitching a tent, as well as picnic table and fire ring," reports one visitor during off-season.
Wildlife viewing: While requiring proper precautions, the natural setting offers wildlife observation opportunities. At Panther Lake Camping Resort, a camper mentioned: "We had a great time. Only issue was a skunk that visited our campsite multiple times in one night. Was not afraid of humans."
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: Bear activity is common throughout the region. A visitor to Beaver Pond Campground noted, "'Welcome to Bear Mountain' grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! He is in his ranger hut, checking in the late evening arrivals to the campground... and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area. I mean, we are in Bear Mountain, what do you expect?!?"
Limited cellular coverage: Plan accordingly for spotty or nonexistent phone service. A camper at Wawayanda State Park reported: "No phone service at campsite, but could get phone service by the kayak hut or the main entrance."
Permit requirements: Several sites require advance permits or reservations. Campgaw Mountain Reservation requires permits for all overnight stays, while other parks have specific booking windows that open months in advance.
Tips for camping with families
Look for specialized activities: Some campgrounds offer organized programming for children. At Panther Lake Camping Resort, one visitor mentioned their "2 teenage girls had a blast in the lake and riding their bikes around. Pool was packed so didn't spend time there but the ceramic class was fun for the girls."
Choose campgrounds with playground access: Harriman State Park's Beaver Pond Campground includes family-friendly amenities. "Short distance from the NYC, very organized, clean pond, has a playground, showers, bathroom. Your phone will have signal," notes one parent.
Consider camping cabins: For families new to camping, cabin options provide comfort with outdoor experience. "Cabins are always clean and stocked with firewood. Lots of hiking trails. Trading post is well stocked and volunteers are always friendly and able to answer any questions," reports a Camp Glen Gray visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, RV sites are paved but vary in quality. "Easy to navigate our 38 ft. RV. Easy to dump and fill. Peaceful. Close to train to N.Y. City," notes one RVer about the convenience.
Water hookup planning: Some campgrounds have unusual water hookup systems. "Website lists water hook ups at long distances but they have hose reels to help with that. Our site (15) said 75' however the 50' hose reel made it to our rv connection," explains a visitor to Mahlon Dickerson.
Seasonal considerations: Many RV-friendly campgrounds near Pompton Plains have limited operating seasons. "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. Water and electric hookups and a dump station," says an RVer who found the off-season experience enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available in Pompton Plains, NJ?
What camping options are available in Pompton Plains, NJ?
While there are no campgrounds directly in Pompton Plains, several excellent options exist within a short drive. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers wooded, spacious sites with water and electric hookups in the nearby Skylands region. The campsites are paved, mostly level, and provide a convenient base for exploring. For a more primitive experience, Campgaw Mountain Reservation offers basic sites with toilet facilities. Both locations are within 30-40 minutes of Pompton Plains, making them ideal for weekend getaways without traveling far from home.
What hiking trails are accessible from Pompton Plains camping areas?
What hiking trails are accessible from Pompton Plains camping areas?
Camping areas near Pompton Plains provide access to diverse hiking opportunities. High Point State Park Campground features numerous trails directly from campsites, including sections of the Appalachian Trail and the path to the monument at New Jersey's highest point. Stokes State Forest offers extensive hiking networks through beautiful wooded terrain. For those seeking more challenging routes, the Stonetown Circular trail provides primitive camping options along its path with connections to longer regional trail systems. Most trails in these areas offer moderate difficulty with some more challenging sections available for experienced hikers.
Are there any RV parks near Pompton Plains with full hookups?
Are there any RV parks near Pompton Plains with full hookups?
Great Divide Campground near Newton is one of the best RV options within driving distance of Pompton Plains. This private campground offers full hookup sites in a scenic setting with amenities like a small lake and pond. For those willing to travel a bit further, Liberty Harbor RV Park provides big-rig friendly sites with full hookups and the unique advantage of easy access to NYC. Closer to Pompton Plains, Stephens State Park Campground offers some RV sites, though they may not accommodate larger rigs and have limited hookup options.
Keep Exploring