RV sites near Pompton Plains, New Jersey provide camping options within the state's Skylands region at elevations between 600-1200 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds in this region close between November and April, with limited winter camping available at select locations like Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
What to do
Hiking trails: Access miles of trails from Mahlon Dickerson Reservation with interconnected paths suitable for all skill levels. "There are plenty of trails, water (creeks, pond, lake) views and even if the place is packed there is PLENTY of room," notes John S., who considers it the "Best. Campground. Ever."
NYC sightseeing: Camp near public transportation at Liberty Harbor RV Park for city excursions. "The light rail is a block away, and the path train is about 8. Having a view of Lady Liberty out your window is priceless," writes Joe R. The ferry is also nearby, as Emily L. points out: "Right on the harbor & on the very edge of Jersey City, close to a ferry & the train that takes u across to New York City."
Statue of Liberty views: Several RV parks offer vantage points of this iconic landmark. From Liberty Harbor RV Park, Erc L. recommends "a short drive to Liberty Park where we got out and walked at night to admire the city skyline and Statue of Liberty at night."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Camp in wooded surroundings with ample space between sites. Jeff W. describes Mahlon Dickerson: "This county park has large, wooded campsites with electric and water. It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms. At Black Bear RV Park, Dave S. appreciates the "great location and nice, full hook-up sites. Back-in and pull through sites and can accommodate large rigs. A little expensive but everything is included."
Convenient locations: Many campgrounds position you strategically between natural attractions and urban necessities. Greg S. notes that at Mahlon Dickerson, "The campground is clean, paved nicely and well run. There are a lot of bear warnings here so that gave us a bit of pause with our three little boys. The sites are spaced well and have a nice bonus of large fire rings set back in the woods a bit from the pad."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Plan ahead as many campgrounds close during winter months. Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort operates from April 1 through October 31, limiting late fall and winter options.
Varying site quality: Campground experiences differ dramatically within the region. Faith D. notes about Pleasant Acres: "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool. Weekend was busy as usual but during the week it seems to be seasonal that stay. A bit out here in the middle of nowhere, 15-20 minutes from any town. Make sure you have what you need!"
Price considerations: Rates vary significantly by location and amenities. For budget camping near NYC, Keith and Tia S. say about 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."
Tips for camping with families
Animal encounters: Choose campgrounds with farm animals for added entertainment. At Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort, Janelle G. reports: "Plenty to occupy the kids. Playground, hayride, animals to feed (goats, chickens, donkey and pony). There were some organized activities which was nice."
Check park amenities: Verify which facilities are open during your stay. At Tri-State RV Park, Brittany V. found "no frills at the site but perfect for the commuting RVers just looking for somewhere safe to sleep for the night. They have an onsite buffet with live entertainment if your timing is right."
Bring extra supplies: Some campgrounds have limited services nearby. Janelle G. warns about Pleasant Acres: "The garbage situation was the worst. Most campsites have a service, they tell you to leave it at a specific location by a certain time or they have many garbage cans throughout. This place had their garbage and recycling very far away."
Tips from RVers
City camping challenges: RV parks near NYC offer convenience but limited amenities. At Liberty Harbor RV Park, Shawn B. explains: "There is a dump station, but not the easiest to use. The laundry was not working properly and ate a good $5 of our quarters. But, again if you are looking for a place to crash and hit up the city or Liberty Island, this place is great."
Winter preparations: For cold-weather camping, check water availability. Gabbie Y. found at Black Bear RV Park: "Unfortunately at this site, the heated water pipe was broken so we had no water for the night. I imagine that camping here during the regular season is a much better experience. As it seems to be rare to find open campgrounds for winter camping, this is probably a good option."
Traffic considerations: Plan travel times carefully when visiting urban-adjacent campgrounds. For Liberty Harbor RV Park, Joe R. advises: "Getting in and out of the city is an adventure. Stay right off the highway to avoid the $30 tunnel toll. Follow RV life pro and not Waze."
