Camping near Short Hills, New Jersey offers diverse options within the region's mixed deciduous forest landscape at elevations ranging from sea level to 400 feet. The camping season typically runs April through October, with peak temperatures in July averaging 86°F and cooler nights in spring and fall dropping to the 40s. Water access varies significantly between state parks and private campgrounds, with several sites requiring hikes or boat transport to reach remote campsites.
What to do
Hiking at Cheesequake State Park: Trails range from easy to moderate with multiple lookout locations and minimal elevation changes. "The trails range from easy to moderate with quite a few lookout locations. The elevation of the trails is not too strenuous. While also walking the trails, people are able to come across many picnic and resting areas," notes one visitor to Cheesequake State Park Campground.
Kayaking on Round Valley Reservoir: The 2,350-acre reservoir offers clear water for paddling with depths reaching 180 feet. At Round Valley State Park Campground, a camper shares: "The water is crystal clear, the area is clean. There's bathrooms and pumps but we just filtered the water from the reservoir instead which tasted a million times better than the well water."
Urban exploration on Staten Island: The Gateway National Recreation Area on Staten Island offers urban camping with historical sites. A reviewer at Staten Island — Gateway National Recreation Area mentioned, "There is abandoned buildings here and you can do urban exploring. There are rangers taking you on a trek and exploring the abandoned building."
What campers like
Secluded wilderness camping: Remote sites at Round Valley require effort but reward with solitude. "Located just south of I78 and near the small hamlets of Clinton and Lebanon, what I love most about Round Valley SP is the fact that it has its very own eponymous fresh water reservoir," writes a camper about their experience.
Family-friendly activities: Many campgrounds provide scheduled events and recreation facilities. At Great Divide Campground, campers appreciate the variety: "The common area, along with the pool, had a small soccer field and volleyball court. They also had scheduled activities for kids."
Views of NYC skyline: Several campgrounds offer unique urban vistas. At Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area, a camper described: "With views from the campsite looking out to the sea, the skyline of NYC on the left & NJ on the right, it was awe inspiring and, the sunset was a real treat!!"
What you should know
Bear activity awareness: Wildlife encounters require proper food storage and awareness. "Welcome to Bear Mountain" grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness!" warns a camper at Beaver Pond Campground. "The wildlife do roam around your campsite so be mindful of putting food and garbage away before sleeping."
Boat-in or hike-in requirements: Some campsites cannot be accessed by car. At Round Valley, "if you're looking to camp here, I highly recommend you boat in as the hiking path is incredibly difficult to manage without hauling all of your camping gear."
Noise considerations: Proximity to urban areas means traffic sounds at some sites. At Cheesequake State Park, a camper noted, "The Parkway is right there so its not a nice quiet place," while another mentioned "one of the sites we reserved was filled with broken glass."
Tips for camping with families
Pack-in requirements: Some sites require carrying gear from parking areas. At Great Divide Campground, "You have to drop your supplies off and drive it back to the parking lot which was slightly annoying."
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with recreational options for children. "Great atmosphere for families. Little crowded for couples who want peace and quiet," notes a visitor to Panther Lake Camping Resort. Another camper added, "The lake and pool were a big plus, especially for hot days."
First-timer friendly options: Some sites work better for novice campers. A Cheesequake State Park visitor suggested, "This is a great site for those who are not avid campers. It's close to town if you forget something and it has all the facilities you may need, bathroom, shower, etc."
Tips from RVers
Urban RV parking considerations: Limited spaces require advance planning. Beaver Pond has "RV hook-ups, tent platforms, and rustic tent sites were available," notes a camper, adding that "mid-week during the off-season it was great."
Terrain challenges: Hilly campgrounds can be difficult to navigate. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, a visitor shares: "Easy to navigate our 38 ft. RV. Easy to dump and fill. Peaceful. Close to train to N.Y. City."
Limited private campground sites: Weekend availability is scarce at popular locations. One Panther Lake visitor observed, "Majority of sites are seasonal campers with LOTS of cottages. Only a handful of full hook up sites surrounded by seasonal cottages."
