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 Wanaque, NJ
145 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Camping options near Wanaque, New Jersey range from established campgrounds to primitive sites within an hour's drive of the area. The region includes several state parks and recreation areas such as Wawayanda State Park, Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, and Harriman State Park, offering a mix of tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations. Many campgrounds in northern New Jersey and nearby New York provide access to lakes, hiking trails, and forested settings while remaining relatively close to urban areas. Campgaw Mountain Reservation offers free primitive camping with fire rings and picnic tables, while more developed facilities like Camp Glen Gray feature cabins and glamping options.
Seasonal considerations affect camping availability throughout the region, with most campgrounds operating from April through October. "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. They are wooded and large," noted one visitor. Winter camping is limited, though some year-round options exist at Stokes State Forest. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly for weekend stays during summer months. Terrain varies from relatively flat, accessible campgrounds to more rugged sites requiring short hikes from parking areas. Cell phone coverage can be spotty in more remote areas, especially in the valleys and forested sections of state parks. Bear activity necessitates proper food storage at most campgrounds in the region.
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews, with sites along lakes and rivers being particularly popular. Campers at Round Valley State Park highlight the "breathtaking scenery" and "gorgeous crystal-clear water" despite the hike required to reach some sites. Several visitors mentioned the quality of hiking trails accessible directly from campsites as a significant advantage. Noise levels vary considerably between campgrounds - those near highways like Cheesequake State Park may experience some traffic noise, while more remote locations offer greater solitude. Primitive sites typically provide fire rings and picnic tables, while developed campgrounds offer amenities such as showers, flush toilets, and in some cases, electric hookups. Wildlife sightings, including deer and various bird species, are commonly reported across campgrounds in the region.
Best Campgrounds near Wanaque (145)
1. 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 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. Sebago Cabin Camp — Harriman State Park
"It is a step up from cabin camping. They also have a beach behind it."
"This place is only an hour away from NYC with so much to do and see. These cabins are VERY rustic, four walls, a cot, and a fridge."
from $130 / night
Check Availability4. 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 Availability5. The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center — Harriman State Park
"This was beautiful campground with an even nicer lake. You are able to do a hike around the lake."
"Beautiful lakes all over the place. The AMC camp in Harriman is fantastic too! Those are reserved and paid cabins and platforms."
6. Wawayanda State Park Campground
"It is off the beaten path without any running water or showers within walking distance."
"Fantastic loop hike near some amazing hidden lakes. One downside is there were obviously people who had visited and didn't understand what LEAVE NO TRACE means. We'll bring a trashbag next time."
7. Stonetown Circular trail Primitive #1
"Stonetown Circular trail is a 11 mile medium/high difficulty loop trail. This is the first of two primitive sites along the trail. The trailhead is across the street from a large parking lot."
8. Stonetown Circular trail Primitive #2
"Stonetown Circular trail is a 11 mile medium/high difficulty loop trail. This is the second of two primitive sites along the trail. The trailhead is across the street from a large parking lot."
9. Campgaw Mountain Reservation
10. Stokes State Forest
"It was a solid choice: private but close to the toilet and water. Some sites located around the opposite side of the ring back up to a babbling brook. The rushing water will soothe you to sleep."
"We stayed at the campsite at Lake Ocquittunk Area. Campsite was very spacious and had a platform where we were able to fit two tents. There was plenty of space on the site for more tents."
from $7 - $55 / night
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Drive Time
- 25 min from Kiryas Joel, NY
- 31 min from New York, NY
- 1 hr 8 min from Bridgeport, CT
- 1 hr 18 min from Trenton, NJ
Recent Camping Photos near Wanaque, NJ
483 Photos of 145 Wanaque Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Campgaw Mountain Reservation
Wawayanda Group Shelter
Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
Tentrr Signature Site - Appalachian Trail Hilltop Hideaway - Coleman Cooking Site
Moon Valley CampgroundD
Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State ParkJ
Woodland Trails
Black Bear RV ParkT
Croton Point Park
Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort
Kittatinny Valley State Park Campground
Tentrr Signature Site - Camp Coal Tree
Recent Reviews near Wanaque, NJ
871 Reviews of 145 Wanaque 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 Wanaque
Campgrounds near Wanaque offer diverse terrain and camping conditions within the highlands of northern New Jersey, where elevations range from 400 to 1,500 feet. Most sites are nestled in mixed deciduous forests dominated by oak, maple, and birch, creating dense shade during summer months. The region experiences higher precipitation than surrounding areas, with evening temperatures dropping 10-15°F lower than nearby urban centers even during peak season.
What to do
Hiking from camp sites: At Stonetown Circular trail Primitive #1, campers can access an 11-mile medium/high difficulty loop trail. "This site is about 2 miles into the hike. This is a great spot to set up camp because it has a wide area and an amazing view. You will find the site right next to the American Flag at the top of the mountain," reports Ethan K.
Paddling opportunities: The lakes within Harriman State Park provide calm waters ideal for beginners. "You can also rent canoes and take them out on the lake for an afternoon activity," notes Ethan K. about The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center. The center offers rentals directly from their waterfront.
Winter activities: Several campgrounds maintain limited winter access for cold-weather enthusiasts. "The wood stove definitely heats the room up nicely. I went through two bundles of wood in one night, and could have used more in the morning," shares W L. about winter cabin camping at Stokes State Forest, where cabins with wood stoves make off-season stays comfortable.
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Many campers appreciate the raised wooden platforms available at several campgrounds. "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," notes Ethan K. about Beaver Pond Campground.
Proximity to NYC: The quick escape from urban areas without a long drive ranks highly in reviews. "About 30 minutes from sleepy hollow and tarrytown NY and only an hour to central park!! Deer running everywhere and surprisingly beautiful and quaint," writes Megan B. about Beaver Pond Campground.
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer low-cost or free camping opportunities. "This is an off-grid camping experience. You can use your generator at certain hours. They have a beach. Their staff is friendly. I love going here," shares Adaly about Beaver Pond, adding it costs "just $15."
What you should know
Bear activity: Bears are active throughout the region, requiring proper food storage. "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," reports Steve W. about Camp Glen Gray.
Weekend noise levels: Many campgrounds experience higher noise levels on weekends. "Quiet time at night is laughable as the enjoyment of being in nature rages on into the early morning," notes Steve W., though weekdays often provide more solitude.
Water access limitations: Campers should know some sites require moderate hikes to reach water sources. "This site is right next to a flowing stream with fresh water. The site is marked by a sign on a tree that says 'The Island'," shares Ethan K. about Stonetown Circular trail Primitive #2.
Tips for camping with families
Look for supervised swimming: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas with lifeguards during summer months. "The beach is secured with lifeguards and shower and bathroom facilities are available," explains Brian O. about Beaver Pond Campground.
Kid-friendly amenities: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provides family-oriented features. "The campground is clean, paved nicely and well run. Our site is easily the nicest- all the way in the back with only one neighbor. It is so quiet here," shares Greg S.
Cell coverage for emergencies: Some campgrounds maintain better connectivity than others. "Your phone will have signal," confirms Zorina N. about Wawayanda State Park, making it one of the best places to camp near Wanaque for families needing to stay connected.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at many campgrounds. "Campgaw doesn't seem to offer much in terms of a camping experience. The sites themselves are fairly close to the road and there are super popular hiking trails that run right through all the camps," notes Jake R. about Campgaw Mountain Reservation.
Water connection specifics: Check water hookup distances before arrival. "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," shares antruze about Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds with RV sites offer dump stations. "Nice and easy little campground. Trash dumpster is an easy walk and the dump station has a flush hose point," explains antruze about the facilities at Mahlon Dickerson, making it among the top choices for RV camping near Wanaque, New Jersey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Wanaque, NJ?
What camping is available near Wanaque, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Wanaque, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 145 campgrounds and RV parks near Wanaque, NJ and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Wanaque, NJ?
Which is the most popular campground near Wanaque, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Wanaque, NJ is Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park with a 4.2-star rating from 41 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Wanaque, NJ?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Wanaque, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Wanaque, NJ.
What parks are near Wanaque, NJ?
What parks are near Wanaque, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Wanaque, NJ that allow camping, notably Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Gateway National Recreation Area.
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