Leo C.
Scout
ScoutWinding Hills Park
Nice but dated
Nice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
Camping near Verona, NJ
127 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Campgrounds in northern New Jersey near Verona provide a range of options within short driving distance of urban centers. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, located about 20 miles west of Verona, features wooded sites with electric hookups suitable for tents, RVs, and cabins. Further north, Camp Glen Gray offers a more secluded camping experience with tent sites, cabins, and limited RV access. The region also includes several state parks and recreation areas like Stokes State Forest, High Point State Park, and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, each providing various camping accommodations within 30-45 minutes of Verona.
Access to most campgrounds requires advance reservations, particularly during summer months when facilities reach capacity quickly. Terrain varies significantly across the region, with some areas offering level, paved sites while others present more challenging conditions. As one camper noted, "Located in the Skylands of New Jersey, Mahlon Dickerson Campground is a perfect place to spend a few nights or a couple of weeks. The campsites are paved and mostly level." Most developed campgrounds provide water and electric hookups, with some offering full sewer connections for RVs. Weather conditions generally allow for comfortable camping from April through October, though specific opening and closing dates vary by facility. Cell service can be inconsistent in more remote areas, and campers should be prepared for wildlife encounters including deer and occasional black bears.
Campers consistently mention the surprisingly beautiful natural settings despite proximity to metropolitan areas. Many campgrounds feature water access, with several sites positioned near lakes, streams, or the Delaware River. A visitor described the appeal: "Beautiful park with in the skylands region of New Jersey. Great campsites on a lake, with lots of hiking and biking trails right from your site." Hiking trails are abundant throughout the region, with several campgrounds offering direct access to trail networks including portions of the Appalachian Trail. Noise levels vary significantly between locations, with sites closer to highways or urban areas experiencing more ambient noise. Sites requiring boat-in access, particularly along the Delaware River, offer greater seclusion and fewer amenities but typically provide more peaceful experiences. Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds, swimming areas, and organized activities are available at several of the larger established campgrounds.
Best Campgrounds near Verona (127)
1. Liberty Harbor RV Park
"This is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC. It's basically a parking lot with a dump station. Not much else. Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room."
"Basicly a parking lot, but the location can't be beat. 2 ferries that run to Manhattan. Path train is a 12 minute walk away that will take you yyo manhatten."
from $145 - $180 / night
Check Availability2. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
"Located in the Skylands of New Jersey, Mahlon Dickerson Campgound is a perfect place to spend a few nights or a couple of weeks. The campsites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large."
"It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities."
3. Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park
"Drive-in tent campgrounds. Adequate restroom facilities sprinkled amongst tent sites. Some campsites have raised platforms. All sites have picnic tables and fire ring with flip-top grill."
"The grounds are just steps away from Welch Lake, offering a lifeguard monitored sandy beach which is open during the summer season for swimming, fishing, and small boat craft further out."
from $21 - $24 / night
Check Availability4. Cheesequake State Park Campground
"I stayed at Cheesequake at the beginning of August and had a very positive experience."
"This park is on the list of 50 top NJ Hikes, and it has a few great trails. The trails range from easy to moderate with quite a few lookout locations."
from $200 / night
Check Availability5. Camp Glen Gray
"One rustic place with many hiking trails to choose from. Camp also provides trucking of gear weather permitting. No vehicles allowed to drive through camp. Trading Post for treats and other items."
"Lots of hiking trails. Trading post is well stocked and volunteers are always friendly and able to answer any questions"
from $5 - $200 / night
Check Availability6. Staten Island — Gateway National Recreation Area - CLOSED for 2025
"You have a clear view of the Narrow bridge and at night the city lights light up your surroundings light a nigh light. The camp here has 7 campsites here and it fill up really fast."
"this place is awesome when it comes to finding an affordable place to stay while in NY, this camp ground isnt your usual forest camp sites, however there are some beautiful views, and it is located in"
from $30 / night
Check Availability7. Skyline RV Camp - Waterfront
"A little intimidating driving in to a nondescript gate at the end of a narrow street but the overall experience exceeded expectation."
from $130 / night
Check Availability8. Panther Lake Camping Resort
"Panther lake was a pretty good campground with lots of spots to camp at. Our campsite had a picnic bench and a fire ring. They offer both RV and primitive camping."
"The Lake is the gem of the campground with a really nice beach, good for fishing and kayaking. The negatives were the bathrooms. They are very primitive and quite dirty."
9. Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area
"Once you are there, you can walk right across the street to a bayside inlet and sandy shore that is not highly trafficked because no one can park there except those using the campground."
"Rangers at the entrance regulate admittance thus, providing a safe environment within the confines of the base."
from $30 - $50 / night
Check Availability10. Collective Governors Island
from $529 - $1200 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 29 min from New York, NY
- 47 min from Kiryas Joel, NY
- 1 hr 1 min from Trenton, NJ
- 1 hr 21 min from Bridgeport, CT
Recent Camping Photos near Verona, NJ
473 Photos of 127 Verona Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Campgaw Mountain Reservation
Staten Island — Gateway National Recreation Area - CLOSED for 2025
Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area
Cheesequake State Park CampgroundK
Wawayanda Group Shelter
Tentrr Signature Site - Appalachian Trail Hilltop Hideaway - Coleman Cooking Site
Moon Valley CampgroundD
Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Areas
Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park
Kittatinny Valley State Park Campground
Stephens State Park Campgroundj
Recent Reviews near Verona, NJ
851 Reviews of 127 Verona Campgrounds
Thomas B.
RangerNeversink River Resort
Cool Riverside Campground
I'll start by saying this is a site-specific review (C20). I booked using Campspot and didn't select my own site but put in the criteria for my rig (30ft TT plus truck) and got a 50A back-in spot. The site was big but abnormal. Between the picnic table placement and the trees, I ended up right around 50ft from the electric and water, and the water spigot was so low I could barely put on my camco filter. With the uneven dirt roads, I had to unhitch with my truck in a gigantic puddle (lol). The site was otherwise fine aside from my gate code not working on Day 2. As for the campground as a whole, I thought it was pretty unique place by the river that offered several good amenities and activities, like downstream river tubing, an arcade, bathroom/shower facilities, a small store, little trails, and more. I would say this place borders the more primitive side.
Edwin R.ScoutCheesequake State Park Campground
Park uses county cops to shut down park by 9pm.
On Friday, September 4, 2026, I rented a trailer and brought my family to Cheesequake State Park to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary over the extended Labor Day weekend. Around 9:20 PM—well before the park's designated 10:00 PM quiet hours—we were sitting inside our canopy, playing Jenga, and listening to low background music. Two officers from the Matawan Police Department approached our campsite. They were polite and courteous, simply offering a standard reminder to wrap things up by 10:00 PM. Before they could leave, however, a third, senior officer intervened. Wanting to"show them how it's done," he made the two polite officers return and stand by to watch as he demonstrated how to aggressively harass campers. Flashlight in hand, the senior officer approached with an immediate hostile attitude, treating us like criminals as he demanded to know who rented the site. He began reiterating rules and claimed we had too many vehicles. We had three cars, one belonging to my brother-in-law's girlfriend, who was visiting with her daughter. She had paid the$10 visitor fee at the main office and was instructed by staff to obtain the gate access code from us, the primary renters, if she got locked in. No staff member ever informed her of an 8:00 PM visitor departure deadline, leading us to reasonably assume visitors were permitted until quiet hours began at 10:00 PM. The officer rudely snapped that she had been given wrong information. The senior officer then used profanity in front of three small children, aggressively telling her to ("get her shit and get the fuck out!") in that manner or use profanity, the officer went from hostile to furious. He angrily declared that these were official violations and threatened that he could be issuing us tickets instead. Desperately searching for anything and everything to throw at us, he demanded that we turn off our idling car—which was supplying power to our campsite—and instructed us to make sure the campfire was doused before shutting down for the night. He then proceeded to shine his flashlight into our private setup—including our canopy, tents, and the inside of our trailer—searching for any other possible violation while the two polite officers were forced to watch. What was supposed to be a special 10th wedding anniversary celebration with my family was completely ruined by a senior officer misusing his authority to put on an unnecessary display of intimidation. Worse than just ruining our night, he spent that evening teaching those two police officers how to be bad cops. He corrupted two officers in real time, demonstrating firsthand exactly why most people have lost faith in the police force. The next day we was ready for them. We turned off our lights and quietly by the fire while they went next door to harass an asian family that had just set up camp and had their leds lights on.
- eedgar V.Scout
Black Bear RV Park
Super clean and quiet
Past reviews has mentioned that the office seems to be closed often, while I found that to be true I had no reason to contact anyone. This is definitely one of the cleanest quiets site I’ve ever visited
- KKelly B.
GuideClarence Fahnestock State Park Campground
Check site photos first
Definitely a wide variety of sites—look at the site pictures before booking—there are two areas where it’s just an open field with bonfires and picnic tables that I’d avoid. I could see a large group going there or something but personally it doesn’t offer any privacy.
BUT if you book one of the other sites that DOES have privacy you’ll be in camping heaven. The “hike in” sites are more like “walk-in,” I was worried at first but it’s some are as little as a few yards from the road. The most annoying part was lugging the cooler back and forth, but totally worth it
- KKelly B.Guide
Stephens State Park Campground
Great last min getaway
Booked the day before—even on the holiday weekend! Just 1.5 hours outside of NYC, site was a bit close to the neighbors (fire pit was very far back and basically in the neighbors’ campsite, but we put up a “privacy clothesline” and hung a tarp over it for a bit of extra coverage.
The staff was friendly and helpful, they said it was the busiest they’ve seen the campground all year (there were lots of large groups but everyone seemed to settle down by 9:30pm
Poison ivy was EVERYWHERE at our site so make sure to stick to the open areas and the paths. Lots of families around, we felt very safe Bathrooms were fine—it was my impression they’re usually cleaner but the high traffic of the weekend left a bit to be desired, (lots of families around=dirty diapers in the bathroom trash bin) but it’s camping! I’m not gonna argue w a flushing toilet!
- KKevin F.
TravelerTri-State RV Park
A place to stay in an area lacking campgrounds.
This area seems to be devoid of campgrounds except for this one. It’s basically just a large parking lot with hook ups. Completely open, which is great for Starlink. Bathrooms were slightly above average; fairly clean and places to hang clothes for your shower. Has a laundry but be sure to bring quarters. It is about 100 yards from the interstate so you’ll get a lot of noise and diesel exhaust fumes.
- Sue B.Ranger
Delaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA
Great off season camping
We camped here in our pop up for our Anniversary in November. We were impressed with the cleanliness and available amenities for the time of year we were camping in! Close proximity to DWG and PA AND NJ attractions.
- JJayTraveler
Delaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA
Large sites & friendly staff!
Another great experience. Sites were large. Staff was friendly with many different things for kids to do. Great base camp for local hikes.
Guide to Verona
Camping options near Verona, New Jersey range from basic tent sites to full-service RV parks, with elevations varying from near sea level at coastal locations to over 1,200 feet in the northern highlands. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April through October, though specific opening dates depend on weather conditions and facility type. Winter camping is limited to a few year-round facilities, with Liberty Harbor RV Park providing one of the few off-season options.
What to do
Hike diverse trail systems: At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, trails range from easy lake paths to more challenging woodland routes. "We always hike to the lake here, it's a very easy hike and also very peaceful," notes Paulene-Amanda M., who visits regularly with family and pets.
Visit New York City: Liberty Harbor RV Park serves as a convenient base for city exploration. "This is a prime location for visiting the city or heading down the shore. The light rail is a block away, and the path train is about 8," shares Joe R., highlighting the transportation options.
Enjoy water recreation: Several campgrounds offer lake access for fishing, swimming, and boating. At Great Divide Campground, "Nice small lake with boats to use. Nice small beach," reports Scott N., mentioning the free kayaks available to campers.
What campers like
Seclusion despite proximity to urban areas: Camp Glen Gray offers a truly rustic experience with limited vehicle access. "One rustic place with many hiking trails to choose from. Camp also provides trucking of gear weather permitting. No vehicles allowed to drive through camp," explains Jose N.
Variety of accommodation options: Many campsites near Verona, New Jersey offer multiple lodging types. Panther Lake Camping Resort features tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. "Fun camping place to books groups. Very kid and pet friendly, lake to fish and kayak on, lots of activities, great pool and awesome hot tub," reports Cynthia H.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention facility maintenance as a priority. At Great Divide Campground, "Bathrooms clean and shower was warm and clean as well. They even have a heater to keep you comfortable in and out of the shower," notes Julie.
What you should know
Site layout and spacing: Campground density varies significantly throughout the region. At Beaver Pond Campground, "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," says Ethan K.
Urban noise levels: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise despite natural settings. At Cheesequake State Park, "The Parkway is right there so it's not a nice quiet place," mentions Stacey R., while another camper notes, "We used a fan in the trailer to block out the sound of traffic."
Wildlife encounters: Bears are present in northern New Jersey forests. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, "There are a lot of bear warnings here so that gave us a bit of pause with our three little boys," reports Greg S., though actual encounters are rare when proper food storage is practiced.
Tips for camping with families
Look for scheduled activities: Many campgrounds organize family-friendly events. "Lots of weekend activities," mentions Scott N. about Great Divide Campground, while another visitor noted the "scheduled activities for kids" available throughout summer weekends.
Consider terrain when choosing sites: Some campgrounds feature significant elevation changes. At Great Divide, "Campgrounds have lots of hills so be prepared to hike up and down," warns Jojo P., adding "Lots of hills so bikes are hard to use."
Check beach and pool facilities: Sandy Hook Campground offers ocean access with lifeguards during summer months. "Ocean is close with lifeguards. Good fishing and pleasant people," notes Stanley S., though others mention the lack of showers at this basic facility.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Full-service sites can be scarce during peak season. At Liberty Harbor RV Park, "It's basically a parking lot with a dump station. Not much else. Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room," advises Keith and Tia S.
Accessibility considerations: Several campgrounds have challenging access roads or tight turns. "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. about navigating to Liberty Harbor.
Water connection logistics: Some campgrounds have unusual water hookup configurations. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, "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," explains a camper, noting the helpful equipment provided.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Verona, NJ?
What camping is available near Verona, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Verona, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 127 campgrounds and RV parks near Verona, NJ and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Verona, NJ?
Which is the most popular campground near Verona, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Verona, NJ is Liberty Harbor RV Park with a 3.8-star rating from 16 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Verona, NJ?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Verona, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Verona, NJ.
What parks are near Verona, NJ?
What parks are near Verona, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Verona, NJ that allow camping, notably Gateway National Recreation Area and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
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