Stokes State Forest offers several camping options for visitors exploring the Fort Montgomery area, with Lake Ocquittunk campground featuring spacious, tent-friendly sites with plenty of room for campers traveling with horses. The campground provides picnic tables, fire rings with cooking grates, and clean bathroom facilities with showers. Accessible water sources are available, though not directly at each site. The campground's wooded sites offer good privacy between neighbors, and many sites include tent platforms. Campgrounds are designed to accommodate various camping styles including tent, RV, and cabin camping, with sites generously sized for those bringing horse trailers.
The extensive trail network throughout Stokes State Forest connects to over 63 miles of marked trails, including 12 miles of the Appalachian Trail, making it ideal for day rides. Multiple trailheads provide access points for horseback riders looking to explore the rolling hills and diverse terrain. The forest features babbling brooks and small lakes that provide natural water sources for horses during rides. Stokes' location adjacent to High Point State Park and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area creates extended riding opportunities for equestrians seeking longer excursions. Visitors note the well-maintained trails vary in difficulty, suitable for both novice and experienced riders. During peak seasons, reservations are recommended as the campground fills quickly, especially for the more secluded sites preferred by those camping with horses.
$7 - $55 / night
"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."
"* Water and dumpsters are within walking distance, or if you are not up to walking you can just take a short drive to fill up and dispose of your trash
- There are outhouses scattered around, or if"
$145 - $180 / night
"Very plain & functional, no frills but right on the harbor & on the very edge of Jersey City, close to a ferry & the train that takes u across to New York City."
"Very easy to hop on transit to get to New York City. People were friendly."
"We stayed at site #T007 is was a short walk from the car to the site, but so worth it for many reasons."
"The caping set up was nice and I enjoyed the proximity to available hikes in the area. The ‘lake’ however, was kind of a disappointment."
RangerVery plain & functional, no frills but right on the harbor & on the very edge of Jersey City, close to a ferry & the train that takes u across to New York City. Shopping & restraunts are right next door. We brought scooters & had a great stay! Plus you can see the Statue of Liberty from there!
ScoutThere is only a small place for tents. Mostly people go there with campers. Not your typical campground. Very easy to hop on transit to get to New York City. People were friendly.
TravelerEnjoyed a great weekend at Stokes State Forest. 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. Site came with bear proof bin for garbage and fire ring. Very comfortable site, quiet but still with plenty of amenities. Bathrooms and shower were all single stall and very clean, only a 5 min walk from our site. Two water sources nearby as well. We didn’t have direct views of the lake, but were within a minute walk to some quiet views of the lake. Also the location is amazing; there are trail heads near the campsites and longer trails, including access to the Appalachian Trail within a short 10-15 minute drive. You can also rent kayaks and SUP at the main office. Highly recommend Stokes.
RangerI would definitely recommend this campsite to anyone wanting a beautiful, remote setting, but with all of the conveniences that the campgrounds offer. Anyone from a beginner to an expert would enjoy Stokes. Whether it be just a short, relaxing weekend trip or an adventure-packed week long trip, this place has the potential to be whatever you make it.
Pros:
Has the perfect balance of feeling secluded without feeling completely alone in the middle of nowhere; the campsite we were specifically on was just far enough to be remote-feeling and fully private with trees surrounding it
Cute little pond right on the campgrounds
Our site had a fire ring, a picnic table, and a large sturdy pole with a hook for your lantern/mesh dry bag/etc
Even, rocky, yet soft enough ground to sleep on, many trees available for hammock camping
There was a huge, nasty storm one night that we stayed there, with terrible downpour and flash flood warnings, our site was elevated and did not get flooded
A lot of firewood and kindling in the area to be gathered, or you can buy firewood right from the office
Lots of stuff to do in the area for nature-lovers and outdoors-enthusiasts (Hiking trails, fishing/fly-fishing, sightseeing, mountain-biking, kayaking/paddle-boarding (rentals in the area if you do not own), hunting, swimming, horseback riding, waterfall-hunting, bird/wildlife watching (there are hawks, rabbits, owls, deer, toads, snakes, turtles, frogs, foxes, bats, salamanders, many interesting bugs, beavers, and bears in the area, you never know what you will see), lots of beautiful brooks and streams throughout the entire park, many awesome remote areas to set up your hammock and relax) Whoever said that there wasn't much to do here is just either not an outdoors person or straight up lying!
Water and dumpsters are within walking distance, or if you are not up to walking you can just take a short drive to fill up and dispose of your trash
There are outhouses scattered around, or if you are really needing a clean restroom where you can wash your hands, the park office's restroom is always open and very clean
Can be buggy at night time however, I was pleasantly surprised to have experienced zero mosquito bites and ZERO ticks on ourselves and even our dog (however she did have a leech on her from playing in the brook all day). We moderately used bug spray on ourselves and the dog had her flea and tick topical on.
Beautiful view of the stars on a clear night (Which can be breathtaking especially to city folk or those that cannot see stars from their homes)
Cons:
Can hear the traffic from 206, but generally gets much quieter at night
Campsites are close enough that you may occasionally hear other groups if they are being very loud (We were next to a group campsite that had a very noisy party crowd, but could really only hear them at their loudest, and we weren't bothered)
Tent sites are located just off the dirt road where people travel to get to their sites, which means other campers' cars will occasionally pass right through your area. If this bothers you, be sure to book a site as far back as possible. Ex: Site T137 should have no vehicle traffic but your own and is the most remote of that area
Water fill stations can be a bit busy at certain times
Our fire ring rack was bent, but luckily we came prepared with our own rack to place on top of it and it worked out
Lots of poison ivy in the area, if you are not immune to it be very mindful of where you are stepping!
Our neighbor warned us that they got a flat tire after arriving at their campsite, and after searching their site found a bunch of nails almost intentionally thrown about. It's not the park's fault and the rangers were made aware of it. Carefully check your site after arriving for anything out of place and report to the office if necessary to keep these campsites safe and enjoyable.
Points of interest nearby the campsite:
Big Flat Brook - A beautiful babbling brook that runs all throughout the area. Has great fly fishing for stocked rainbow trout. Access to the brook was only a short but beautiful hike north from our site through some thistle fields and woodlands.
Buttermilk falls (Tallest waterfall in NJ), Tillman Ravine, Dingmans Ferry/Falls, and my personal favorite, Silver Spray Falls - Multiple gorgeous waterfalls and ravines just waiting to be explored, all within ~15-20 min by car. I definitely recommend checking them out while you are camping here especially if you live far away from the area.
Sunrise Mountain and Rattlesnake Mountain - Catch a beautiful sunrise or sunset on top of Sunrise Mountain, which is a pleasant, scenic car ride directly to the top where there is a small parking lot, a smelly outhouse, and a nice picnic table area with a great view. Rattlesnake Mountain is a part of the Appalachian Trail and is somewhat barren towards the top which makes for excellent views. Like its name, it's not uncommon to see many snakes in the area, rattlesnakes tend to hang out on the top and sunbathe on the rocks. Keep your pets on a leash and have a stick handy just in case, however, they will leave you alone if you keep your distance.
Lake Ashroe, Stony Lake, Lake Ocquittunk - Many lakes for multiple activities in the area such as fishing (trout stocked waters), kayaking, swimming (Stony lake has a beach area with lifeguards, restrooms, and picnic areas. Check their website for more info.)
Horseback riding - A few great horseback riding places nearby, some offering trail rides through the beautiful park.
Appalachian Trail - The widely-known Appalachian Trail, the longest hiking-only trail in the world, that runs all the way from Maine to Georgia goes right through this area. You may run into very interesting people from all over who are thru-hiking the AT.
PLEASE CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR VISIT. LEAVE NO TRACE. KEEP OUR PARKS BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU.
GuideThis 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. If it's packed, your neighbor with be within inches of your rig. Pluses, minutes walk to the Statue of Liberty, liberty Science center. Two blocks away from NJ Path train into Manhattan or take the ferry to Wall Street!
GuideWe stayed at site #T007 is was a short walk from the car to the site, but so worth it for many reasons. The site itself is huge and we were able to position our tent facing the lake, it was beautiful!
GuideStokes State Forest is a beautiful park with a lot of different trails to check out, though some of them are difficult to access due to parking. The camping areas are split between two different entrances. If you’re in Lake Ocquitunk, like I was, you don’t enter at the main entrance, you have to go past the main entrance about another mile on rt. 15 N. and enter by the YMCA. All the other camping areas are near the main entrance by the forest office. The campsites themselves are a little too close together in some spots with little coverage or privacy. There is a day parking area which is only accessible going through the main entrance by the forest office— if you visit during the week park entrance is free, but on the weekend fees can be a bit steep. I wasn’t super happy with my campsite as I wasn’t able to physically have my car on the site like I thought. I had to park in a small lot above my campsite and carry my belongings down a short slope to the site. I like to car-camp so this was a bit of a let down having my car separate from my actual campsite.
The bathrooms were nice and had flush toilets, but the showers were out of service during my time. Bathrooms are extremely spaced out so you will have to walk a far distance unless you strategically choose a site next to one. I drove through the other campsite and only saw 1 set of bathrooms that had toilets and showers per campground, not including the outhouses I saw for those in the small cabins.
LegendThe caping set up was nice and I enjoyed the proximity to available hikes in the area. The ‘lake’ however, was kind of a disappointment. It was much smaller then I expected and a rather underwhelming. Of the camping options in Stokes State Forest, Lake Oqcuittunk and Steamill were each a bit closer to High Point which offers more hiking options. Each campsite was set up with a picnic table and a fire ring. One big positive was the covered picnic area which was a nice place to bring food and eat and hang out during the day to get out of the sun.
TravelerBasicly 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. Jersey city has a lot of restaurants and bars walking distance. Wonderful state park, liberty park, a bike ride ride away. Our experience was very good.
They also have a clean laundry room on site.
Stokes State Forest provides multiple equestrian-friendly camping options near Fort Montgomery, New York. Located in Sussex County at elevations ranging from 400 to 1,650 feet, this 16,447-acre forest straddles the Kittatinny Ridge along the Appalachian Trail corridor. Winter temperatures typically range from 15°F to 30°F, while summer temperatures average between 65°F and 85°F, creating variable camping conditions throughout the year.
Hiking to scenic overlooks: Explore the extensive trail system that includes access to the Appalachian Trail. "We hiked the Tillman Ravine trail (tip: make the trail a loop and visit both the ravine and the nearby old cemetery)," notes a visitor to Stokes State Forest. The forest's elevation changes provide varied terrain for all skill levels.
Lake activities: Fish, kayak, or paddle at Lake Ocquittunk. "Nice place to set up and car camp. Enjoyed some fishing and hiking within walking distance from the site," shares a camper at Ocquittunk. Rental equipment is available at the main office for those who don't bring their own gear.
Winter exploration: Stokes remains open year-round, with cabins available for cold-weather camping. A visitor describes: "I went through two bundles of wood in one night, and could have used more in the morning... The wood stove definitely heats the room up nicely." Winter trails offer solitude and different perspectives of the landscape when fewer campers visit.
Private, spacious sites: Campers appreciate the generous site dimensions at Lake Ocquittunk. "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," notes one reviewer at Ocquittunk. This extra space is particularly valuable for those camping with horses.
Clean facilities: The bathrooms and shower facilities receive positive mentions. "Bathrooms and shower were all single stall and very clean, only a 5 min walk from our site. Two water sources nearby as well," reports a visitor. This attention to cleanliness makes longer stays more comfortable.
Cabin amenities: For those seeking more shelter, the cabins provide rustic comfort. A winter camper at Stokes State Forest explains: "The cabins are reasonably priced and well-appointed, if a bit rustic. The interior features are just what you'd expect for getting away for the weekend... a wood stove set into a fireplace, hot/cold water, electric stove with oven, refrigerator, toilet, bathroom sink."
Bear safety requirements: This is active bear country and proper food storage is mandatory. "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided," warns a camper. Bring bear-resistant containers or hang food appropriately.
Water access varies: While water is available throughout the campgrounds, not every site has direct access. "Accessible water sources are available, though not directly at each site," notes one review. Plan to carry water from central locations to your campsite.
Rocky terrain at some sites: Be prepared for uneven ground at many campsites. "Most of the campsites were very rocky, but you can find some that have a little bit of grass," explains a visitor to Stokes State Forest. Bring appropriate sleeping pads and select your tent location carefully.
Cabin camping option: For families new to camping or visiting in cooler weather, cabins provide a good introduction. "We stay in the cabins. It's great to have the small kitchen when camping with the family," shares a visitor to Stokes State Forest. Cabins book quickly during peak seasons.
Wildlife awareness: Teach children about local wildlife precautions. A camper notes: "The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes." Perform regular tick checks, especially after hiking, and teach children to recognize and avoid snake habitat.
Multiple campground choices: Each of the four campgrounds within Stokes has a different character. "Stokes State Forest has four campgrounds. The Steam Mill Camping Area is tucked out the of the way and is the most primitive," explains a reviewer at Liberty Harbor RV Park. Research each option to find the best fit for your family's needs.
Limited full-hookup sites: While RV camping is available, not all sites offer complete hookups. "Campgrounds are designed to accommodate various camping styles including tent, RV, and cabin camping, with sites generously sized for those bringing horse trailers," notes a reviewer. Call ahead to reserve appropriate sites if you need specific amenities.
Site selection for larger rigs: Some areas accommodate big rigs better than others. "It is the smallest of the campgrounds with 27 sites only suitable for tents or small trailers/campervans," explains a camper describing the Steam Mill area at Stokes State Forest. Lake Ocquittunk generally offers more options for larger vehicles.
Dump station availability: A sanitary dump station is available for RVers, though during busy periods there may be wait times. Check with the ranger station about optimal times to use these facilities to avoid delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Fort Montgomery, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Fort Montgomery, NY is Stokes State Forest with a 4.4-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Fort Montgomery, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Fort Montgomery, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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