RV camping near Ringwood, New Jersey offers diverse camping experiences across northern New Jersey and neighboring New York. Located in the Ramapo Mountains at elevations between 600-1,000 feet, this region experiences cooler temperatures than surrounding areas. Most campgrounds close from November through March due to mountain weather conditions, with select sites offering limited winter accessibility on gravel pads.
What to do
Outdoor recreation at lakes: Nearby lakes provide swimming and fishing opportunities during summer months. Visitors at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley enjoy creek activities. "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish," notes camper Kasey M.
Local exploration: Many campers use Ringwood as a base for exploring regional attractions. "The nearby towns are adorable and offer shopping, hiking, farms, and more," mentions one visitor at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley.
Entertainment options: Some campgrounds provide on-site entertainment. At Tri-State RV Park, "They have an onsite buffet with live entertainment if your timing is right. They are also located right on a river that you can easily access by foot," according to Brittany V.
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Many campgrounds offer tree coverage with varying levels of privacy. At Black Bear RV Park, campers appreciate the natural setting. "The best part was at dusk when the animals came out!" reports Wyndie G.
Family amenities: Campgrounds frequently provide recreational facilities for children. At Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort, "There were some organized activities which was nice... Playground, hayride, animals to feed (goats, chickens, donkey and pony)," notes Janelle G.
Pet-friendly policies: Most area campgrounds welcome pets with standard restrictions. "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool," reports Faith D. about Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort.
What you should know
Site conditions vary widely: Campsite quality and leveling differ significantly between campgrounds. At Woodland Trails RV and Campground, "Some of the sites look far enough from each other on their site map but the sites are actually pretty close to one another," reports Josh.
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds operate limited schedules. Skyway Camping Resort runs from May 1st through October 14th while Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort operates April through October.
Highway noise levels: Traffic noise affects several campgrounds near major roads. At Tri-State RV Park, "Located just off the highway so lots of vehicle noise 24/7. Sites are on a gravel lot," mentions Michael H.
Tips for camping with families
Amenity research: Check campground offerings before booking family trips. At Skyway Camping Resort, "Nice pool, this is a good family campground for kids. It large with nice size sites," notes Ron H.
Plan for bathroom logistics: Bathroom facilities vary widely between campgrounds. Janelle G. reports about Pleasant Acres, "There are 2 showers for women and 2 for men. Both are old and not well maintained."
Budget accordingly: Campground rates tend to be higher than state parks. At Black Bear RV Park, basic sites with full hookups cost "about $80 a night" according to one reviewer, who noted, "All the buildings are closed due to Covid, so no laundry & no bathroom."
Tips from RVers
Sewer hookup placement: Some sites have challenging sewer connections. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, one camper noted, "The sewer connection in 372 ran uphill for me, but my pipe sits very low."
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on specific needs. At Liberty Harbor RV Park, "Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room. If it's packed, your neighbor with be within inches of your rig," advises Keith and Tia S.
Navigation considerations: Access roads can be challenging for larger rigs. At Liberty Harbor, "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," recommends Joe R.
