The Rockaway area of northern New Jersey sits at approximately 800 feet above sea level in the Highlands region, characterized by rolling forested hills interspersed with small lakes and streams. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with moderate humidity, while fall camping brings cooler 40-65°F temperatures with vibrant foliage displays. Winter conditions can drop below freezing with occasional snow accumulation affecting campground access and water availability.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provides direct access to multiple hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. "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. The reservation connects to the larger trail system offering various terrain options.
Farm animal interactions: Families can interact with farm animals at Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort in Sussex. "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool," reports Faith D., while another visitor mentions "animals to feed (goats, chickens, donkey and pony)" as a highlight for children.
NYC excursions: For campers wanting to explore New York City, Liberty Harbor RV Park provides strategic access to Manhattan. "There is a ferry 100-yards away that takes you to Wall Street M-F. There is a great market about 1/4 of a mile away, and the path that can take you to WTC or 33rd Street area is only a mile away," notes Shawn B., making day trips convenient.
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation earns praise for its site layout and natural setting. "The sites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large," states Jeff W., while Christina L. reports, "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."
Privacy and seclusion: Many campers appreciate the sense of solitude available at certain campgrounds. Greg S. notes about Mahlon Dickerson, "Our site is easily the nicest- all the way in the back with only one neighbor. It is so quiet here... The sites are spaced well and have a nice bonus of large fire rings set back in the woods a bit from the pad that you park on."
Military campground option: Active and retired military personnel can access NWS Earle RV Park, which offers premium amenities. "Small campground W/ 8 spaces in the main area and 7 in an adjacent area. All spaces are level concrete With fill hookups and attached concrete patio," explains Jeffrey, who also notes "Laundry facilities are free for use and in like new condition."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Mobile coverage varies widely across the region's campgrounds. At Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South, Nick E. reports, "Cell service is awful for AT&T and our T-Mobile gateway. Had to move to a new site to get away from the trees to get starlink connectivity," while Jim G. warns that "cell service for most providers is practically non-existent."
Varying shower facilities: Bathroom and shower quality differs between properties. Coffee&Camping T. reports about Pleasant Acres Farm: "There are 2 showers for women and 2 for men. Both are old and not well maintained or in our experience clean, either," contrasting with more positive reports at other parks.
Winter operations limited: Many RV parks near Rockaway, New Jersey close completely during winter months. Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South operates from May through October, and several other parks have similar seasonal schedules, though a few like Mahlon Dickerson remain open year-round with reduced services.
Tips for camping with families
Playground considerations: When selecting campgrounds for children, assess playground quality and location. At Mountain Top RV Park, one camper notes, "They have a small playground that would be better suited for older children, and there's also a nice lounge room with games, a pool table, a tv and puzzles/board games."
Activity availability: Family-friendly campgrounds typically offer scheduled events. Jason G. describes Mountain Top RV Park: "The family-friendly atmosphere was evident through the thoughtfully designed property, including an updated pool, playground, game room, and a brand-new pickleball court that added a unique touch to the stay."
Mixed enforcement of rules: Be aware that rule enforcement varies across rv parks near Rockaway. At Pleasant Acres, one visitor observed, "Children of the residents run free all day and past curfew in the evenings unsupervised," while others note strict enforcement of quiet hours elsewhere.
Tips from RVers
Navigation challenges: RV drivers should prepare for potentially difficult access roads to some campgrounds. For Tri-State RV Park, BENdejo ~. provides specific directions: "Ext 53. Straight at the light. Drive all the way down to the end of the road," while others mention narrow mountain roads requiring careful driving.
Site selection strategy: When booking at first-come, first-served parks, arrive with a strategy. Jim G. shares about Timothy Lake South: "This is a first-come, first-serve park in the Thousand Trails system so we had to drive around looking for a spot. The check-in process alerted us to the sites that had issues such as no water or cable(there were 5 or 6 of them)."
Water connection planning: Water hookup configurations may require additional equipment. At Mahlon Dickerson, a camper advises, "The water hoses provided are plenty long. We didn't need to use our hose at all, just the filter," suggesting that standard equipment is generally sufficient despite varied spigot placements.
