Camping in Staten Island, NY, US: 12 Best Campgrounds 2024

United States
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New York
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Staten Island

96% (1269 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Staten Island

Under $50

Top camping destinations

Washington Heights

196 campgrounds

Hickory Run State Park

1188 campgrounds

French Creek State Park

Ricketts Glen State Park

1260 campgrounds

The descent from Slide Mountain during peak fall foliage

Catskill State Park

1456 campgrounds

Star Hosts in Staten Island

100%

(22)

Hershey Lane Farm

1 site · RV40 acres · Frenchtown, NJ

Hershey Lane Farm is a rural farm in Hunterdon county 10 minutes south of interstate78. Very private,quiet,setting on approximately 40 acres. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Our camping area is mowed grass and includes water service,50 amp electric,table and chairs, and a fireplace. There are options for walking,enjoying wildlife,or just relaxing.

Jenny Jump Mountain

1 site · Tent26 acres · Great Meadows, NJ

Over 26 acres of open woods for you to choose where and how you would like to set up camp. There is only one reservation allowed at a time, so the entire property is yours to enjoy. There is an open lot of approximately 2 acres at the beginning of the property adjacent to a quiet back road where you can park or set up camp. The back of the property is ideal for complete privacy and peace and quiet. This property connects to over four thousand acres of State Land that can be explored as you please. Fourteen miles of hiking trails offer magnificent views of the mountains and scenic Mountain Lake. The UACNJ Observatory at Jenny Jump is short drive, or a nice hike, from the property where free lectures and observing are open to the public every Saturday evening from April through October. The famous Shades of Death Road and Ghost Lake are also a short drive from the campsite.

100%

(7)

Little Neighborhood Oasis

4 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Hamburg, NJ

10 minute drive to Mountain Creek Ski and Mountain Biking/Water Park and Crystal Springs Resort. 20 minutes from the Appalachian Trail. We have a very large backyard in a peaceful neighborhood. Part of our yard is secluded from the road. An average of 6 cars pass each day. There are homes within view but you will have enough distance from them to have privacy. The yard is surrounded by large trees and lots of shrubs. The grass is lush and organically grown. Across the street is a path into the woods that leads to a beautiful river with spots to soak, relax, and cool down. We have live, 24/7, cameras set up to watch the entrances to our property and home for everyone's security. There are no cameras set up at the sites for your privacy. Come view the Peak Fall Foliage!

Paradise Valley Homestead

11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents33 acres · West Milford, NJ

GREAT NEWS!!! As of April 5th, my long awaited 1st Glamping site is available for booking! Please read the description carefully of the "Gypsy Rose Vardo", to see if it's the right fit for you. We also have 10 large camping sites available on our 33 acre property located in Northwest NJ. Sites 1 through 4 are on mowed, fairly level fields and are large enough for campers or RV's up to 30ft, or a couple of tents, and sites 5 and 6 are further back in the woods, available only for a few small tents, sites 7 through 10 are much further into the property and are only accessible with a high clearance AWD or 4WD SUV or you can park and hike your gear in. There are 3 compost toilet outhouses spread out through the Hipcamp, so it's an easy walking distance from any site. Although we are only 2 1/2 miles from a main highway, the last 2 miles are on a dirt road with no houses. We are surrounded by protected land, so no neighbors and lots of wildlife, including the occasional bear, coyote or raccoon. Keep all food items secured. Because we are surrounded by protected land we are not sprayed for insects, so be safe and do tick checks often and bring the bug spray. We are 45 minutes from NYC or the Delaware Water Gap and an hour away from the NJ shore. There are horse farms nearby that offer trail rides. We are also close to the Highland and Appalachian Hiking trails. There are two reservoirs within a 20-minute drive for canoeing or kayaking. There are walking trails through our property, including a ten-minute hike on a marked trail to a small waterfall in a ravine.

96%

(38)

Oak Grove Acres

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · Flemington, NJ

Our 2 and a half acre property is situated in a very rural quiet area. The Wickecheoke creek, a tributary of the Delaware, runs through the property. There is a private seating area for serene enjoyment and private meditation. We have a large communal firepit, as well as small private firepits at your site. Wood is available from our supply behind the communal fire pit area. There is a wooded site, an open site for self contained campers and tent campers and a large open grassy area, fun for children or dogs to recreate. How about camping in a Vintage Camper! We have on its own site a 1965 Trotwood, canned ham style camper. This cozy piece of the past is restored for nostalgic reflection. It has fine appointments, kitchenette, indoor private potty. She will sleep 4 comfortably. There are many parks, conservation reserves and nature trails to hike nearby. Your can bike along farm roads in the area and find places to have your picnic lunch. Forgot some supplies?- within 3 short miles are many shops, services and resturants, many deliver. Several varieties of wildlife are in the area: you will spot eagles, white tail deer, racoons, wild turkeys and red fox, to name a few, while you stroll, bike or drive throught the area. Stop at the many creeks and enjoy the vibrant sounds of the bubbling waters; fish, frogs , turtles, blue heron and the many critters who habitate the waters. For birders there are over 75 species of birds within a short walk. During changes of seasons you can often see many birds in flight migrating to far away places. Bring your binoculars and camera. For you shop and antique explorers, just a short drive to the Delaware River and its quaint villages only 10 miles away: Lambertville, New Hope and Frenchtown. Boutiques, art studios, antique shops and restaurants . Enjoy any one of the many local Brewers, Distileries and vineyards all within a short drive of historic Flemington.

12 top campgrounds near Staten Island

99%

(1338)

Paradise Valley Homestead

11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents33 acres · West Milford, NJ

GREAT NEWS!!! As of April 5th, my long awaited 1st Glamping site is available for booking! Please read the description carefully of the "Gypsy Rose Vardo", to see if it's the right fit for you. We also have 10 large camping sites available on our 33 acre property located in Northwest NJ. Sites 1 through 4 are on mowed, fairly level fields and are large enough for campers or RV's up to 30ft, or a couple of tents, and sites 5 and 6 are further back in the woods, available only for a few small tents, sites 7 through 10 are much further into the property and are only accessible with a high clearance AWD or 4WD SUV or you can park and hike your gear in. There are 3 compost toilet outhouses spread out through the Hipcamp, so it's an easy walking distance from any site. Although we are only 2 1/2 miles from a main highway, the last 2 miles are on a dirt road with no houses. We are surrounded by protected land, so no neighbors and lots of wildlife, including the occasional bear, coyote or raccoon. Keep all food items secured. Because we are surrounded by protected land we are not sprayed for insects, so be safe and do tick checks often and bring the bug spray. We are 45 minutes from NYC or the Delaware Water Gap and an hour away from the NJ shore. There are horse farms nearby that offer trail rides. We are also close to the Highland and Appalachian Hiking trails. There are two reservoirs within a 20-minute drive for canoeing or kayaking. There are walking trails through our property, including a ten-minute hike on a marked trail to a small waterfall in a ravine.

Horse Farm Camping

2 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Bordentown, NJ

Learn more about this land:A beautiful horse farm centered between Philadelphia and New York City. 45 minutes from the beach, 45 minutes from the mountains. Local breweries, wineries and distilleries within minutes. World famous Columbus Farmers Market 5 minutes down the road. Historic Burlington City and the Delaware River just 5 minutes in the opposite direction. We are very social people if you are looking for a new way to meet fun people. Action sports is what we 're doing here a lot of the time (horseback riding, skateboarding, off road riding), so we can point you in the best direction to do the most fun things in the area.

98%

(22)

Mountain Top Camping

7 sites · RVs, Tents113 acres · Great Meadows, NJ

Private 100+ acre farm covering the peak of one of the tallest mountains in New Jersey with scenic views of the Delaware Water Gap. Rolling fields with woods mixed in with miles of trails to hike and explore. Multiple secluded camping sites throughout the farm. Guests can expect to see sheep and their livestock guardian dog out in one of the fields. Many things to do near by. Mountain Lake has a public beach a few minutes away. Go rafting down the Delaware River less than 30 min away.

92%

(185)

Skyline RV Camp

32 sites · RVs4 acres · New York City, NY

WE ARE OPEN Stellar Views and Fresh Waters - New York City has never looked better! The campground is situated right next to the East River which boasts killer views of the Manhattan Skyline any time of day! The space is a massive open concrete surface lot a few foot from the East River. The lot is a private property and is monitored by the 24/7 security in the adjacent building. The subway is 4 blocks away (G Train, Greenpoint Ave stop) which will take you to the city in under 30 minutes. Greenpoint Ferry stop is a few blocks away which will take you to midtown Manhattan in no time! Please note, that you might benefit from using a trucker app called "Trucker Path" while getting here since in some areas of Brooklyn you can't drive an RV. ** Site #'s are not official, you are paying for the accommodation of a hookup or non hookup space, the on-site manager will give you an official site when you arrive**

Hershey Lane Farm

1 site · RV40 acres · Frenchtown, NJ

Hershey Lane Farm is a rural farm in Hunterdon county 10 minutes south of interstate78. Very private,quiet,setting on approximately 40 acres. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Our camping area is mowed grass and includes water service,50 amp electric,table and chairs, and a fireplace. There are options for walking,enjoying wildlife,or just relaxing.

Jenny Jump Mountain

1 site · Tent26 acres · Great Meadows, NJ

Over 26 acres of open woods for you to choose where and how you would like to set up camp. There is only one reservation allowed at a time, so the entire property is yours to enjoy. There is an open lot of approximately 2 acres at the beginning of the property adjacent to a quiet back road where you can park or set up camp. The back of the property is ideal for complete privacy and peace and quiet. This property connects to over four thousand acres of State Land that can be explored as you please. Fourteen miles of hiking trails offer magnificent views of the mountains and scenic Mountain Lake. The UACNJ Observatory at Jenny Jump is short drive, or a nice hike, from the property where free lectures and observing are open to the public every Saturday evening from April through October. The famous Shades of Death Road and Ghost Lake are also a short drive from the campsite.

Ash to Oak Farm

1 site · Tent175 acres · Lafayette, NJ

Welcome to our picturesque 175 acre bison farm in northern NJ. We have woods for hiking, a pond for fishing and bison to view! One hour from NYC and close to Stokes State Forest, Sussex county fairgrounds, Skylands Ball Stadium and much more. Escape the busyness of city life and unplug for a fee

100%

(15)

Apothecary Gardens NY

2 sites · Lodging1 acres · Warwick, NY

Learn more about this land: Camp out in our beautiful 18' organic cotton tipi handcrafted by a small group of artisans in OR. The tipi is fully equipped with a full-sized futon, cot, chairs, mats and a fire pit. See all that Warwick has to offer including hiking trails, lakes, wineries, breweries, cideries and orchards as well as a charming town with lots of shops and restaurants. Come and visit our seasonal healing garden space featuring various vegetable and flower gardens. With heavy rains parts of the tipi may get wet. That being said we have had several guests enjoy their stay despite the rain. We are more flexible with cancellation dependent on weather.

Moon Valley Campground

5 sites · Lodging, Tents27 acres · Vernon, NJ

Located 50 miles from midtown Manhattan (approx 1:08 minutes) is our brand new campsite located right off the Appalachian Trail. The camp is at the base of Wawayanda mountain right between the iconic hikes "Stairway to Heaven" and "Pochuck Boardwalk" on the Appalachian Trail. Hike right from camp up to "Pinwheel Vista" (named one of NJ's best viewpoints!) At the entrance to the property is the Valley Farmers Cooperative that sells local grass fed meats and artisanal farm goods. You can walk two minutes to Heaven Hill Farm which has plenty of goods, produce, and fun fall activities like pumpkin picking and haunted hayrides. Drive your car from route 94 directly to your campsite nestled in the woods with a great view of the valley. A perfect getaway from the city with plenty to offer. About 10 minutes down 94 is the beautiful town of Warwick or about 4 minutes in the opposite direction is the town of Vernon. Warwick is a quaint small town with plenty of great restaurants and bars, and famous for its apple picking. Vernon has plenty to offer as well including the popular ski resort/waterpark Mountain Creek and Minerals Spa (Located just under 10 minutes away.) The quiet charm of Wawayanda State Park appeals to hikers, campers, swimmers and boaters. Forested hills surround Lake Wawayanda creating a restful backdrop for canoeists and fisherman, while steep mountains challenge casual as well as serious hikers. A twenty-mile stretch of Appalachian Trail runs through the park, while the top of Wawayanda Mountain offers sensational views. More than sixty miles of trails are marked in the park.

100%

(1)

33 Acre Farm And Retreat

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents33 acres · Hillsborough, NJ

200 year old Historical farm house, on the Neshanic river in Hillsborough NJ. You can rent the 3 bed 2 bath house or set up your own tent / small RV on the property in one of the 3 large fields we have. Lots to do in the area, hiking, cycling, rock climbing with ninja warrior couurse, lots of country roads for Motorcycle riding. We are near Princeton NJ, Hopewell NJ, Lambertville NJ, New Hope PA, Somerville NJ. All great day tripping spots. There are a few Breweries, Vineyards, Distillery in the area such as Flounder brewing, Bellamara Distillery, Old York Cellars. Sourland Mountain preserve for hiking, Historical Duke farms and much much more! You will come back Again and again!

100%

(10)

Wildflower Hill

1 site · Tent1 acre · Gillette, NJ

Nestled on the ridgeline of the 3rd Watchung Mountain, the property sits above The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. You'll be in a neighborhood, for sure, but a quiet one with lots of room for people and pets to stretch. The property has a 3000 square foot Summer wildflower field with a cozy tent spot in the center. There is also a grand flat grass area for setting up multiple tents. A 100-foot dog trolley run spans the land so your fluffy can run and stay close, too. Numerous outdoor chairs and tables are set up in various spots to best enjoy the land. There is a fire pit and free firewood available. Use of up to two 8-foot single kayaks or a single 17-foot canoe is available. The Passaic River has a number of drop-in spots nearby and Round Valley and Spruce Run reservoirs are a short drive. Hiking trails go throughout the Great Swamp. They have a terrific education center and the famous Raptor Trust.

80%

(56)

Bare Camping

6 sites · Tents1 acre · Stony Point, NY

Property was bought just as another project. However, after realizing the beautiful surroundings it only made sense to share it with others.

Available this weekend

98%

(22)

Mountain Top Camping

7 sites · RVs, Tents113 acres · Great Meadows, NJ

Private 100+ acre farm covering the peak of one of the tallest mountains in New Jersey with scenic views of the Delaware Water Gap. Rolling fields with woods mixed in with miles of trails to hike and explore. Multiple secluded camping sites throughout the farm. Guests can expect to see sheep and their livestock guardian dog out in one of the fields. Many things to do near by. Mountain Lake has a public beach a few minutes away. Go rafting down the Delaware River less than 30 min away.

Horse Farm Camping

2 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Bordentown, NJ

Learn more about this land:A beautiful horse farm centered between Philadelphia and New York City. 45 minutes from the beach, 45 minutes from the mountains. Local breweries, wineries and distilleries within minutes. World famous Columbus Farmers Market 5 minutes down the road. Historic Burlington City and the Delaware River just 5 minutes in the opposite direction. We are very social people if you are looking for a new way to meet fun people. Action sports is what we 're doing here a lot of the time (horseback riding, skateboarding, off road riding), so we can point you in the best direction to do the most fun things in the area.

Skyline RV Camp

32 sites · RVs4 acres · New York City, NY

WE ARE OPEN Stellar Views and Fresh Waters - New York City has never looked better! The campground is situated right next to the East River which boasts killer views of the Manhattan Skyline any time of day! The space is a massive open concrete surface lot a few foot from the East River. The lot is a private property and is monitored by the 24/7 security in the adjacent building. The subway is 4 blocks away (G Train, Greenpoint Ave stop) which will take you to the city in under 30 minutes. Greenpoint Ferry stop is a few blocks away which will take you to midtown Manhattan in no time! Please note, that you might benefit from using a trucker app called "Trucker Path" while getting here since in some areas of Brooklyn you can't drive an RV. ** Site #'s are not official, you are paying for the accommodation of a hookup or non hookup space, the on-site manager will give you an official site when you arrive**

Paradise Valley Homestead

11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents33 acres · West Milford, NJ

GREAT NEWS!!! As of April 5th, my long awaited 1st Glamping site is available for booking! Please read the description carefully of the "Gypsy Rose Vardo", to see if it's the right fit for you. We also have 10 large camping sites available on our 33 acre property located in Northwest NJ. Sites 1 through 4 are on mowed, fairly level fields and are large enough for campers or RV's up to 30ft, or a couple of tents, and sites 5 and 6 are further back in the woods, available only for a few small tents, sites 7 through 10 are much further into the property and are only accessible with a high clearance AWD or 4WD SUV or you can park and hike your gear in. There are 3 compost toilet outhouses spread out through the Hipcamp, so it's an easy walking distance from any site. Although we are only 2 1/2 miles from a main highway, the last 2 miles are on a dirt road with no houses. We are surrounded by protected land, so no neighbors and lots of wildlife, including the occasional bear, coyote or raccoon. Keep all food items secured. Because we are surrounded by protected land we are not sprayed for insects, so be safe and do tick checks often and bring the bug spray. We are 45 minutes from NYC or the Delaware Water Gap and an hour away from the NJ shore. There are horse farms nearby that offer trail rides. We are also close to the Highland and Appalachian Hiking trails. There are two reservoirs within a 20-minute drive for canoeing or kayaking. There are walking trails through our property, including a ten-minute hike on a marked trail to a small waterfall in a ravine.

Moon Valley Campground

5 sites · Lodging, Tents27 acres · Vernon, NJ

Located 50 miles from midtown Manhattan (approx 1:08 minutes) is our brand new campsite located right off the Appalachian Trail. The camp is at the base of Wawayanda mountain right between the iconic hikes "Stairway to Heaven" and "Pochuck Boardwalk" on the Appalachian Trail. Hike right from camp up to "Pinwheel Vista" (named one of NJ's best viewpoints!) At the entrance to the property is the Valley Farmers Cooperative that sells local grass fed meats and artisanal farm goods. You can walk two minutes to Heaven Hill Farm which has plenty of goods, produce, and fun fall activities like pumpkin picking and haunted hayrides. Drive your car from route 94 directly to your campsite nestled in the woods with a great view of the valley. A perfect getaway from the city with plenty to offer. About 10 minutes down 94 is the beautiful town of Warwick or about 4 minutes in the opposite direction is the town of Vernon. Warwick is a quaint small town with plenty of great restaurants and bars, and famous for its apple picking. Vernon has plenty to offer as well including the popular ski resort/waterpark Mountain Creek and Minerals Spa (Located just under 10 minutes away.) The quiet charm of Wawayanda State Park appeals to hikers, campers, swimmers and boaters. Forested hills surround Lake Wawayanda creating a restful backdrop for canoeists and fisherman, while steep mountains challenge casual as well as serious hikers. A twenty-mile stretch of Appalachian Trail runs through the park, while the top of Wawayanda Mountain offers sensational views. More than sixty miles of trails are marked in the park.

Dog-friendly getaways

98%

(22)

Mountain Top Camping

7 sites · RVs, Tents113 acres · Great Meadows, NJ

Private 100+ acre farm covering the peak of one of the tallest mountains in New Jersey with scenic views of the Delaware Water Gap. Rolling fields with woods mixed in with miles of trails to hike and explore. Multiple secluded camping sites throughout the farm. Guests can expect to see sheep and their livestock guardian dog out in one of the fields. Many things to do near by. Mountain Lake has a public beach a few minutes away. Go rafting down the Delaware River less than 30 min away.

Paradise Valley Homestead

11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents33 acres · West Milford, NJ

GREAT NEWS!!! As of April 5th, my long awaited 1st Glamping site is available for booking! Please read the description carefully of the "Gypsy Rose Vardo", to see if it's the right fit for you. We also have 10 large camping sites available on our 33 acre property located in Northwest NJ. Sites 1 through 4 are on mowed, fairly level fields and are large enough for campers or RV's up to 30ft, or a couple of tents, and sites 5 and 6 are further back in the woods, available only for a few small tents, sites 7 through 10 are much further into the property and are only accessible with a high clearance AWD or 4WD SUV or you can park and hike your gear in. There are 3 compost toilet outhouses spread out through the Hipcamp, so it's an easy walking distance from any site. Although we are only 2 1/2 miles from a main highway, the last 2 miles are on a dirt road with no houses. We are surrounded by protected land, so no neighbors and lots of wildlife, including the occasional bear, coyote or raccoon. Keep all food items secured. Because we are surrounded by protected land we are not sprayed for insects, so be safe and do tick checks often and bring the bug spray. We are 45 minutes from NYC or the Delaware Water Gap and an hour away from the NJ shore. There are horse farms nearby that offer trail rides. We are also close to the Highland and Appalachian Hiking trails. There are two reservoirs within a 20-minute drive for canoeing or kayaking. There are walking trails through our property, including a ten-minute hike on a marked trail to a small waterfall in a ravine.

Skyline RV Camp

32 sites · RVs4 acres · New York City, NY

WE ARE OPEN Stellar Views and Fresh Waters - New York City has never looked better! The campground is situated right next to the East River which boasts killer views of the Manhattan Skyline any time of day! The space is a massive open concrete surface lot a few foot from the East River. The lot is a private property and is monitored by the 24/7 security in the adjacent building. The subway is 4 blocks away (G Train, Greenpoint Ave stop) which will take you to the city in under 30 minutes. Greenpoint Ferry stop is a few blocks away which will take you to midtown Manhattan in no time! Please note, that you might benefit from using a trucker app called "Trucker Path" while getting here since in some areas of Brooklyn you can't drive an RV. ** Site #'s are not official, you are paying for the accommodation of a hookup or non hookup space, the on-site manager will give you an official site when you arrive**

Horse Farm Camping

2 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Bordentown, NJ

Learn more about this land:A beautiful horse farm centered between Philadelphia and New York City. 45 minutes from the beach, 45 minutes from the mountains. Local breweries, wineries and distilleries within minutes. World famous Columbus Farmers Market 5 minutes down the road. Historic Burlington City and the Delaware River just 5 minutes in the opposite direction. We are very social people if you are looking for a new way to meet fun people. Action sports is what we 're doing here a lot of the time (horseback riding, skateboarding, off road riding), so we can point you in the best direction to do the most fun things in the area.

Moon Valley Campground

5 sites · Lodging, Tents27 acres · Vernon, NJ

Located 50 miles from midtown Manhattan (approx 1:08 minutes) is our brand new campsite located right off the Appalachian Trail. The camp is at the base of Wawayanda mountain right between the iconic hikes "Stairway to Heaven" and "Pochuck Boardwalk" on the Appalachian Trail. Hike right from camp up to "Pinwheel Vista" (named one of NJ's best viewpoints!) At the entrance to the property is the Valley Farmers Cooperative that sells local grass fed meats and artisanal farm goods. You can walk two minutes to Heaven Hill Farm which has plenty of goods, produce, and fun fall activities like pumpkin picking and haunted hayrides. Drive your car from route 94 directly to your campsite nestled in the woods with a great view of the valley. A perfect getaway from the city with plenty to offer. About 10 minutes down 94 is the beautiful town of Warwick or about 4 minutes in the opposite direction is the town of Vernon. Warwick is a quaint small town with plenty of great restaurants and bars, and famous for its apple picking. Vernon has plenty to offer as well including the popular ski resort/waterpark Mountain Creek and Minerals Spa (Located just under 10 minutes away.) The quiet charm of Wawayanda State Park appeals to hikers, campers, swimmers and boaters. Forested hills surround Lake Wawayanda creating a restful backdrop for canoeists and fisherman, while steep mountains challenge casual as well as serious hikers. A twenty-mile stretch of Appalachian Trail runs through the park, while the top of Wawayanda Mountain offers sensational views. More than sixty miles of trails are marked in the park.

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

Kittatinny Valley State Park

Andover, New Jersey

100%

(2)

Swartswood State Park

Crandon Lakes, New Jersey

92%

(11)

Round Valley Recreation Area

Lebanon, New Jersey

67%

(3)

Gateway National Recreation Area

Hackettstown, New Jersey

Washington Crossing State Park

Pennington, New Jersey

Wawayanda State Park

Highland Lakes, New Jersey

81%

(12)

Jenny Jump State Forest

Stony Point, New York

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping near Staten Island guide

Overview

As a city with “island” in its name, Staten Island may not be the island campers expect—but that doesn’t mean you should lower your expectations. Sure, the city is technically part of New York City, but Staten Island provides access to some of the best parks, beaches, and campsites in two states. Opt for a campsite in New Jersey, where both verdant parks and sandy beaches live up to the Garden State alias. Or, head to the Rockaways, where beach camping always comes with a view. Even in Staten Island, however, urban streets are never far from parks, forests, beaches, and nature centers.

Where to go

The Edge of Staten Island

Start your camping trip right on the end of the borough. Part of The Gateway National Recreation Area, Great Kills Park is where hiking trails meet beaches and a salt marsh, so campers can meet the campsite of their dreams. See: your Staten Island camping trip will keep you on your toes, whether they’re barefoot or in hiking boots.

Along the NJ Coast

Continue your camping adventure with a trip to New Jersey. Not far from Staten Island, Sandy Hook offers some of the best beach camping in the tri-state area. Pitch a tent that fits the whole family, wander along the shore, swim in the waves, or simply stare out at the NYC skyline. From your campground with a view, bad days cease to exist.

Inland, Toward Wildlife

Once you’ve had your fill of water, head inland. New Jersey’s Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is a great starting point for all the flora and fauna of your camping dreams. Opt for an idyllic campsite near New Vernon’s wilderness trails and keep your eyes peeled for soaring hawks and even bald eagles. The range of wildlife offers a nice change of pace from NYC’s trademark pigeons.

When to go

Gauge your camping timeline by the weather. Summer is best for beach visits and tent camping, when the waves beckon to boogie-boarders and sunbathers alike. However, fall and spring can be just as fun options, so long as you plan accordingly—and perhaps book a campsite with electricity and a roof. The Gateway Recreation Area remains open year-round, so no matter when you visit, you’re certain to glimpse nature in its element.