Best Campgrounds near Sterling Forest, NY

Sterling Forest is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Sterling Forest. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Sterling Forest and user-submitted reviews.

Best Camping Sites Near Sterling Forest, New York (160)

    1. Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park

    41 Reviews
    Pomona, NY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 947-2792

    $17 - $20 / night

    "15 dolares la noche para los que viven en el Estado de New York o New York city .. si es fuera del estado son $5 dolares mas!!"

    "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."

    2. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation

    18 Reviews
    Jefferson, NJ
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 697-3140

    "It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities."

    "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."

    3. Sebago Cabin Camp — Harriman State Park

    6 Reviews
    Sloatsburg, NY
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 429-2039

    $74 - $130 / night

    "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."

    4. Wawayanda State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    New Milford, NY
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 853-4462

    "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."

    5. High Point State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Matamoras, PA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 875-4800

    $5 - $20 / night

    "There are about 40 to 50 sites around Sawmill Lake. Many of these sites , like ours, are walk in sites (about a 50 yard walk) that sit lakeside."

    "_The campground at High Point State Park has 50 spacious tent sites, many with direct lake access, located in a wooded area surrounding Saw Mill Lake."

    6. The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center — Harriman State Park

    6 Reviews
    Pomona, NY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (617) 523-0636

    "This was beautiful campground with an even nicer lake. You are able to do a hike around the lake."

    "Great trails to hike for novices looking to branch out but not too large that you'll be lost forever lol highly recommend and can't do so enough 👍🏽"

    7. Black Bear RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Florida, NY
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 651-7717

    $82 - $95 / night

    "Have stayed here several times - great location and nice, full hook-up sites. Back-in and pull through sites and can accommodate large rigs. A little expensive but everything is included."

    8. Moon Valley Campground

    2 Reviews
    New Milford, NY
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 900-2773

    $50 - $275 / night

    "This was a great campsite nestled in the foothills of Northern NJ on the NY border. Small, clean with great views and great location for hiking , cruising etc."

    "The campground is also near the Appalachian trail while still only about an hour from Manhattan!  Check them out and leave a review with your adventures during your stay!"

    9. Stokes State Forest

    27 Reviews
    Layton, NJ
    25 miles
    Website

    $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"

    10. Wawayanda Group Shelter

    1 Review
    New Milford, NY
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 853-4462

    "It’s within 15 mins NOBO of the park office where there is a 24:7 bathroom with sink and trash, and a fresh water spigot outside. Right now there’s also a box of socks at the shelter- trail magic!"

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Recent Reviews near Sterling Forest, NY

894 Reviews of 160 Sterling Forest Campgrounds


  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park

    Convenient pit stop

    This spot is easy to find and access, and had decent ATT service. There's only a few spots, and the road is narrow with not much turnaround room, I wouldn't recommend for trailers or RVs.

  • Missy R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Dingmans Campground — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

    Beautiful, wooded, campsites

    I’m stopping through for the night and so grateful that I did. This campground is lovely. The spots are wooded so you have a bit of privacy. And you are so close to activities throughout the park. I’m changing my schedule to enjoy the campground and park a bit tomorrow.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Mills Norrie State Park Campground

    Average

    We stayed one night in late September without a reservation. Bathhouse is old but was adequate with hot showers. We’re from out of state and paid about $23 for a tent site which was reasonable for the facilities.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Liberty Harbor RV Park

    Functional with excellent access to the City

    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. Shopping & restraunts are right next door. We brought scooters & had a great stay! Plus you can see the Statue of Liberty from there!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Sylvan Lake Beach Park

    Great Beach Lake for summer swimming and Boating

    This is an old campground, but is quite quaint. Reminds me of lake camping that I grew up with. Hosts are very nice and helpful. This is more of a seasonal camping site. Do not follow your GPS directions. Get directions from the campground staff.

  • Mindie C.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area

    West Point

    No frills but beautiful. Bath houses are absolutely spotless. Fire pits, electric and water hook ups only. Will return! Staff is friendly and helpful. Military families should check it out!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Liberty Harbor RV Park

    friendly staff at the office

    Gave us a welcome folder with lots of helpful info, can walk to get food up the street, short drive to Liberty Park where we got out and walked at night to admire the city skyline and Statue of Liberty at night. They have hook ups and big laundry room.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Skyway Camping Resort

    One night stoo

    Nice well maintained park, full hookups with cable and wifi. Office forgot to give us wifi info and had closed early. Very nice staff.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Round Valley State Park Campground

    Get Your Hard-Core Hiking In To Enjoy This CG

    Located just south of I78 and near the small hamlets of Clinton and Lebanon, what I love most about Round Valley SP is the fact that it has its very own eponymous fresh water reservoir, which spanning some 2,350 acres and is 180 feed deep in the middle, this body of water provides a solid amount of upside for anyone wanting to kayak, canoe or swim. One of the greatest assets at this particular SP CG are the wonderful rangers who keep this place in such tip-top condition year-round. From the North Picnic Area, Bray’s Hill Preserve and Round Valley Beachhead to the East Picnic Area, Round Valley Farm on the eastern side of the reservoir as well as Round Valley Rec Area, there’s a lot to explore at this SP.

    One interesting fact about this place– believe it or not– it is the only NJ SP that actually offers up true wilderness camping(a.k.a. primitive), which can only be accessed by hiking 3 to 6 miles– or if you come with your own boat, you can access by water– and can be found on the SE corner of the reservoir. There is a second area nearby called Spruce Run Recreation Area that can be accessed by driving to this location, which is on the other side of I78 NW of Round Valley SP. That said, if you’re looking to camp here at Round Valley, I highly recommend you boat in as the hiking path is incredibly difficult to manage without hauling all of your camping gear, so coming in with a ton of gear is even more difficult/ prohibitive.

    When you finally do arrive to this primitive CG immersed in NJ’s thick wild foliage, you’ll experience waterfront bliss with a crystalline bevy of trout-infused reservoir water, and you won’t get much in the way of amenities, apart from a few random water pumps and some rocks piled in a circle that, um, I guess makes up a fire ring. While there are backwoods-style bathroom pits, these are very ill-managed and you’ll come across the‘stank’ well before actually even arriving here, so we just didn’t use them. There’s picnic tables, but the one we had was in pretty rough condition. The thing I found odd about the place is that after hiking so far in to get to this location, you’re not allowed to swim in the reservoir, which kind of defeats the entire point IMHO. That said, the views are amazing and because there’s nothing else in these parts, you will experience true peace in nature.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few:(1) Whether hiking or kayaking to this CG, you will want to bring as little with you as possible– packing too much to come here just isn’t worth the work;(2) We found parking in the Southern Lot to be perfectly fine and while we were initially worried about leaving our vehicle parked there for a few nights, we were reassured by the park rangers who patrol the lot constantly;(3) While the water in the reservoir may look crystal clear, it is not crystal clean and I would STRONGLY encourage anyone who thinks that it is OK to drink from the reservoir to at least use a Life Straw to ensure they don’t get sick;(4) I have hiked throughout the entire US and consider myself somewhere between a moderate to skilled hiker and I found these trails challenging and uneven, so while the hike we made was only 3 miles, it was not easy and I would be worried about someone breaking an ankle getting to this CG– so at a minimum, ensure you are wearing proper hiking boots. Seriously, for what this SP puts you through to access this CG one really needs to question why they’re being charged anything at all in the first place.

    Happy Camping!


Guide to Sterling Forest

Camping near Sterling Forest, New York, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an action-packed adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Harriman State Park - Beaver Pond. One camper mentioned, "I enjoy the beach/lakefront, option for platform sites, and regularly cleaned bathroom and shower facilities."
  • Fishing: The lake at Panther Lake Camping Resort is great for fishing. A visitor noted, "The Lake is the gem of the campground with a really nice beach, good for fishing and kayaking."
  • Family Activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner has tons of activities for kids. One parent shared, "This campground has a lot of activities and has kids of all ages galore."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Clarence Fahnestock State Park. A reviewer said, "The bathrooms are very old and very clean. Flush toilets. Heated."
  • Scenic Views: Many enjoy the beautiful surroundings at Jenny Jump State Forest. One camper remarked, "The hiking and scenery are absolutely breathtaking."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpful staff at Stokes State Forest. A visitor noted, "The park staff were incredibly helpful and generous with time and information."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. A camper at Beaver Pond Campground warned, "When I plan my trip around the spring, fall, or summer weekends that look sparse it is quiet, clean, and the others that are at the sites are nature lovers enjoying the scenery."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A visitor at Dingmans Campground mentioned, "The bathrooms and showers were the nicest I’ve ever seen camping."
  • Wildlife Caution: Be aware of wildlife, especially at High Point State Park Campground. A camper noted, "Because of the lake (still water) the bug situation is out of control."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner that offer activities for kids. One parent said, "This place is so much fun. My whole family loved the activities."
  • Plan for Noise: If you want a quieter experience, avoid holiday weekends. A camper at Beaver Pond Campground advised, "I DO NOT recommend going on holiday weekends or peak summer seasons."
  • Pack Essentials: Bring games and outdoor activities to keep kids entertained. A visitor at Clarence Fahnestock State Park mentioned, "There are some nice trails around the campground."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Stokes State Forest noted, "Careful which site you choose."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need full hookups, check campgrounds like Great Divide Campground. A camper shared, "The RV sites were all full hookup on our loop."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Connectivity: Wi-Fi can be spotty. A visitor at Panther Lake Camping Resort mentioned, "Cell service spotty all carriers. No internet at sites."

Camping near Sterling Forest, New York, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Sterling Forest, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Sterling Forest, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 160 campgrounds and RV parks near Sterling Forest, NY and 6 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Sterling Forest, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Sterling Forest, NY is Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 41 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Sterling Forest, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Sterling Forest, NY.

What parks are near Sterling Forest, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Sterling Forest, NY that allow camping, notably Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Gateway National Recreation Area.