Camping near Sleepy Hollow, New York offers options within the New Jersey Highlands region, characterized by rolling hills and diverse forest ecosystems. The area averages 48 inches of precipitation annually, creating lush vegetation and numerous water features accessible to campers. Most developed campgrounds in the region operate from April through October, though some facilities offer year-round access.
What to do
Hiking diverse terrain: Stokes State Forest features 21 marked trails covering over 63 miles, including 12 miles of Appalachian Trail access. "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," notes one Stokes State Forest visitor.
Mountain viewing: Drive or hike to Sunset Mountain Scenic Overlook for views of High Point Monument. The monument marks New Jersey's highest elevation point at 1,803 feet. "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," reports a camper.
Urban access: For campers wanting to blend wilderness with city exploration, some campgrounds offer transportation connections. "There is a ferry 100-yards away that takes you to Wall Street M-F. There is a great market about 1/4 of a mile away, and the path that can take you to WTC or 33rd Street area is only a mile away," explains a Liberty Harbor RV Park guest.
What campers like
Peaceful lakeside settings: The region offers waterfront camping opportunities with accessible shorelines. "We stayed at site #T007, it 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!" shares an Ocquittunk camper.
Diverse accommodation options: Stokes State Forest offers tent sites, RV spots, and rustic cabins for varying comfort levels. "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. The main room has a bunk bed and two twins, a table with benches, two Adirondack chairs, a wood stove set into a fireplace," reports a winter visitor.
Bathroom and shower facilities: Most campgrounds maintain clean facilities with varying levels of amenities. "The bathrooms are clean and nicely placed. The sites had a fire ring with a cooking grate and a picnic table and were well spaced out from other sites. The views of the lake are nice, very peaceful," notes a camper who appreciated the setup.
What you should know
Limited equestrian camping: The Sleepy Hollow region has minimal dedicated horse facilities, though some parks permit day riding. Before planning equestrian camping near Sleepy Hollow, contact individual campgrounds directly about current horse policies and trail access restrictions.
Rocky terrain: Be prepared for variable terrain when setting up camp. "Most of the campsites were very rocky, but you can find some that have a little bit of grass," notes a camper at Stokes State Forest, suggesting site selection matters for comfort.
Wildlife considerations: The area has active wildlife requiring proper precautions. "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes," warns a visitor, emphasizing food storage and awareness of local fauna.
Tips for camping with families
Winter cabin options: For families wanting to camp in cooler months, consider the heated cabins. "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," advises a Stokes State Forest winter visitor who suggests bringing extra firewood.
Platform tent sites: Some campgrounds offer raised platforms that expand tent capacity. "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," shares a reviewer who found this helpful for family camping.
Covered picnic areas: Look for sites with sheltered eating spaces to provide shade and rain protection. "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," mentions a camper who appreciated this feature with children.
Tips from RVers
Urban RV considerations: For those wanting to combine camping with city access, prepare for different amenities than traditional campgrounds. "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," advises an RV camper at Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Site selection for larger rigs: Choose locations carefully based on your RV size and desired privacy. "Sites were very close to one another. Close to ferry for downtown and Statue of Liberty. People are very nice and accommodating. More of a stopping place to see the sites," notes a reviewer, highlighting the urban-focused nature of some RV options.
Seasonal facility differences: Be aware of service limitations outside peak season. "Due to cooler temps there were really no bugs to complain about while camping," reports a shoulder-season camper, pointing out one benefit of off-peak visits for RV travelers.
