RV campgrounds near Rockleigh, New Jersey sit within the Hudson Valley region, which features elevation changes from near sea level to over 400 feet in some camping areas. The northern New Jersey and nearby New York camping areas experience seasonal variations with winter closures at many locations, except for select year-round RV parks. Campsites typically experience summer high temperatures averaging 85°F with significant humidity from June through August.
What to do
Historic site exploration: 30-minute drive from most Rockleigh-area campgrounds to Sleepy Hollow attractions. A camper at Croton Point Park shares, "We came in October to celebrate Halloween in sleepy hollow! This is a great campsite and reasonably priced. Was close to bear mountains state part and the train station is right there!"
Winter camping options: Limited but available for off-season visitors. A guest at Tri-State RV Park notes, "Open during the winter. Easy on, easy off. Lots of pull through sites. Next to grocery store. CLEAN bathrooms, showers, laundry. Super nice owners. Perfect for an overnight stop."
Fishing: Multiple species available at ponds within state parks. One camper mentions about Clarence Fahnestock State Park: "If you are into fishing, there is another lake and two ponds that our neighbor campers said were great for catching panfish - one fisherman said he had caught several bass weighing over 3 pounds!"
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Raised camping surfaces keep tents dry during wet conditions. A visitor to Beaver Pond Campground comments, "Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained or if you are expecting rain during your stay. I also particularly enjoyed the communal sink which made it very convenient and easy to wash dishes and fill up water."
Animal encounters: Farm animals at select campgrounds provide unique experiences. A camper at Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort shares, "Large levelled spaces but a little muddy. Good for a quiet, relaxing weekend; not very close to attractions otherwise. My daughter loved the horses and goats."
Off-peak tranquility: Weekday camping offers a completely different experience than weekends. One visitor noted, "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. Expect to purchase firewood, although scrounging for kindling was possible."
What you should know
Site variations: Significant differences between individual camping spots. A camper at Mountain Top RV Park mentions, "If you're booking, it may be best to book on the upper levels because the lower area where we were did flood pretty bad a couple times when there was a lot of rain."
Wildlife safety: Bears active in multiple camping areas near Rockleigh. "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... 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."
Reservation processes: Often require phone calls instead of online booking. "The reservation process is a bit wonky. You need to call (no online reservations) and then wait for an e-mail, but the e-mail does not tell you your assigned site; you have to wait until you check in to find out your site."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Available at multiple parks but quality varies between locations. A visitor reports, "They have a small playground, a mini golf, and a large dog walk. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable of the area."
Swimming options: Lifeguarded beaches have specific operating schedules. "The beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite. Clean and beautiful."
Noise expectations: Varies widely between weekdays and weekends. One camper warns, "The site was very loud (dance music) until after 11pm. Quiet time at 10pm. Great site for a party, try to stay away from this end of the site or choose a site away from other bookings if you'd like quite."
Tips from RVers
Highway access considerations: Approach routes significantly affect travel costs. When navigating the Liberty Harbor RV area, "Getting in and out of the city is an adventure. Stay right off the highway to avoid the $30 tunnel toll."
Seasonal RV infrastructure: System upgrades affect campground quality over time. A visitor to an rv campground near Rockleigh, New Jersey shares, "The investment in new 50amp wiring, upgraded sewer systems, and newer water lines provided convenient camping experience."
Winter RV camping preparation: Limited water availability at some year-round sites. "At least we had a place to park for the night, and power, but unfortunately it was very overpriced for what we got... 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."
