Ringwood sits at the southern edge of the Ramapo Mountains in New Jersey's Highlands region, with elevations reaching 1,000 feet above sea level. The area features humid continental climate with distinct seasons - summers can reach 85°F while winters often drop below freezing. Most campgrounds near Ringwood maintain tent sites and basic cabins through late October, with a few offering winter camping options.
What to do
Waterfront activities: Lake Welch provides a lifeguard-monitored sandy beach open during summer for swimming and fishing. "The beach is secured with lifeguards and shower and bathroom facilities are available," notes Brian O. from Beaver Pond Campground.
Hiking: Appalachian Trail access points exist within a 20-minute drive of Ringwood. The region offers trails ranging from beginner to advanced. At High Point State Park Campground, Justin P. explains, "We fit in a hike up to the Appalachian Trail from our campsite, swam at the pond (Lake Marcia), and got in a fishing session at Steeny Kill Lake."
Historical exploration: Bear Mountain area contains sites from Revolutionary times. Steve W. notes, "Here you can find some of the Appalachian Trail, with various smaller trail heads for this historic (Revolutionary Times 1770s) part of the region including the one to Doodle Town. Long since the last resident left, the area is a ruins with markers showing where a house was."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers frequently mention the spaciousness at local campgrounds. "The biggest positive about Beaver Pond is how spread out it was. You definitely feel like you have your own space and are not camping on top of your neighbor," reports Ethan K. at Beaver Pond Campground.
Budget-friendly options: Some campgrounds offer affordable rates compared to private campgrounds. Adaly mentions Beaver Pond Campground as "Camping for just $15. This is an off-grid camping experience. You can use your generator at certain hours. They have a beach. Their staff is friendly."
Cabin amenities: The region offers rustic cabins for those who want more shelter. At Sebago Cabin Camp, Hashim C. explains, "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."
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: This is active bear territory. Steve W. warns, "Welcome to Bear Mountain" grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! He offers us a highlighted map to our site, wishes us a good stay, and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area. I mean, we are in Bear Mountain, what do you expect?!?"
Seasonal crowds: Summer brings significantly more visitors. Rebecca S. from Beaver Pond Campground shares, "Ranger said that during summer weekends the grounds fill up and can be quite noisy, but mid-week during the off-season it was great."
Site selection matters: Research specific sites before booking. At Stokes State Forest, Josh S. advises, "If you are looking for more secluded campsites try to get 13 or 14 as they seem to sink back more. Sites 8-11 are adjacent to the road and in peak times probably have a fair amount of foot and vehicle traffic."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. Zorina N. recommends Beaver Pond: "Short distance from the NYC, very organized, clean pond, has a playground, showers, bathroom. Your phone will have signal."
Multi-activity options: Choose locations offering varied experiences within short distances. Justin P. explains at High Point, "The site was maybe a 50-yard walk-in and we barely heard anyone around us and had a real wilderness feel. We fit in a hike, swam at the pond, and got in a fishing session."
Dog friendly campgrounds near Ringwood: Many state parks welcome pets with standard leash rules. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, Paulene-Amanda M. shares, "My fiancé, dog, and I have been going here for over 2 years and we love it. We always hike to the lake here, it's a very easy hike and also very peaceful."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections exist at select campgrounds. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, antruze notes, "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."
Off-season benefits: Winter camping provides solitude but requires preparation. Gabbie Y. from Black Bear RV Park explains, "As it seems to be rare to find open campgrounds for winter camping, this is probably a good option, just be warned that some sites might not have working water and staff could be difficult to get in touch with after hours."
Navigation considerations: Some parks have limitations for larger vehicles. Nancymike K. comments on Mahlon Dickerson: "Easy to navigate our 38 ft. RV. Easy to dump and fill. Peaceful. Close to train to N.Y. City."
Legend
