Camping near Fort Lee, New Jersey ranges from basic urban sites to wooded grounds in neighboring state parks. Located at the eastern edge of New Jersey along the Hudson River, Fort Lee sits at an elevation of 289 feet and experiences humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winter camping requires extra preparation as temperatures can drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Swimming in Lake Welch: Located about 25 miles from Fort Lee in Harriman State Park, Sebago Cabin Camp offers access to nearby Lake Welch. One visitor recommends, "Near lake Welch- which is phenomenal for easy nearly- beach like camping. Ignore the hotplate and just cook on a fire out other outdoor set up. Don't expect to swim on site- go to Lake Welch near by!"
Urban exploration: In Staten Island, about 13 miles from Fort Lee, the Gateway National Recreation Area provides unique exploration opportunities. A camper notes, "There are abandoned buildings here and you can do urban exploring. There are rangers taking you on a trek and exploring the abandoned building."
Hiking trails: Cheesequake State Park, approximately 30 miles south of Fort Lee, features several trails. As one hiker describes, "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. The elevation of the trails is not too strenuous."
What campers like
Platform tent sites: At Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park, campers appreciate the elevated sites. "The biggest positive about Beaver Pond Campground is how spread out it was. You definitely feel like you have your own space and are not camping on top of your neighbor. Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained."
Communal amenities: Beaver Pond offers thoughtful shared facilities. One camper appreciated "the communal sink which made it very convenient and easy to wash dishes and fill up water."
Ferry access to NYC: Sandy Hook in Gateway National Recreation Area provides boat transportation to Manhattan. A visitor states, "Rangers at the entrance regulate admittance thus, providing a safe environment within the confines of the base. 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."
What you should know
Bears in Harriman State Park: Wildlife encounters are common at Beaver Pond Campground. One camper recounts, "'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."
Noise levels vary greatly: Croton Point Park, about 25 miles north of Fort Lee, can get noisy. A 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 quiet."
Transportation challenges: For Skyline RV Park in Brooklyn, navigation can be tricky. A recent visitor points out, "The campground was pretty hard to find. We almost gave up before we found someone local who could point us to the right place. One of the reasons is that their sign is half gone, small, and very hard to read."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Camp Glen Gray offers family-friendly amenities. A regular visitor shares, "Camp Glen Gray is our favorite family campsite. Cabins are always clean and stocked with firewood. Lots of hiking trails. Trading post is well stocked and volunteers are always friendly and able to answer any questions."
Beginner-friendly options: Cheesequake State Park works well for first-time campers. As one reviewer explains, "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."
Wildlife viewing: Kids often enjoy the animal sightings at Croton Point Park. A visitor mentions, "Peaceful and gorgeous campsite, with plenty of space between sites. Great view of the Hudson, and playground within sight of our camper."
Tips from RVers
Parking logistics: Liberty Harbor RV Park in Jersey City requires careful navigation. An RVer advises, "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."
Site selection strategy: At Liberty Harbor, position matters. "Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room. If it's packed, your neighbor with be within inches of your rig," suggests one experienced camper.
Utility access: While water and electric hookups are available at Liberty Harbor, dump station access can be challenging. A camper notes, "On a slow checkout day, you might get lucky enough to not wait in line for the dump station."
