AboutRoy Wallen Expertise I spend time and effort in hiking and climbing activities, including learning new methods and locations.
Experience Working in the application of technology to medical products. Experience includes 20+ years in product marketing and strategic planning, of which 8 years was in Europe providing strategic and tactical support to European and Asian markets and 3 years in managing distribution channels outside North America. Since 1973, a hiking and climbing enthusiast with a wide range of hiking and climbing experience in the eastern US and Europe.Since 1970, a Christian who takes his faith seriously. BS in Electrical Engineering with a concentration on biomedical applications; graduate work in engineering and business; Greek language study; fluent in English (native) and German. New England 4000-footer Club, numerous hikes and climbs (Appalachias; German, Austrian, Swiss, and Italian Alps; US desert southwest).
Question QUESTION: I am looking for a good camping area in NY-NJ area. I have 2 boys 4 and 5 years old . we love boating and hiking and beach area in camping . can you help us. thanks
ANSWER: My guess is, with boys that age, you will be car camping and want to have your boat and swimming near your car camp (if this guess is wrong, I can follow-up with other suggestions). My bias is to northern areas of New York.
In early Spring this year, before bug season, I hiked in the southern Adicondacks and found it pleasant country with very few people. Lewey Lake Campground is on the southern shore of Indian Lake, northwest of Warrensburg (Thruway north to route 9, tehn route 28, then route 30 south. On the way, you will pass Lake George, a popular (and, therefore, crowded) alternative. There are lots of places for boating and swimming and one of the best hikes in the southern Adirondacks is to the top of Smowy Mountain, just up the road (plan a full day for small children and only go if you have experience; 7.5 miles with 200 feet of gain).
Northwest of Indian Lake are two other lakes, Blue Mountain and Raquette, that appear to have good boating and swimming opportunities, though I do not have personal experience there.
Hope this helps.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you Roy for your thoughful response. I forgot to mention few other details in my email. I live near Lansdale, PA (zip code 19446) and would like to go camping in PA/NJ/NY to a place which is not more then 2 to 2 1/2 hour away from where we are. Since we only plan to go for 1-2 nights (weekend). So prefer a place that has lot of scenic beauty (like mountains or water falls that we could drive to or take small trails 1-2 miles max as we have small kids)and also has some water body for swimming etc. Since our friends from CT also plan to join us for camping we would prefer a site in NJ or NY which is inbetween PA & CT. Thanks
Answer There are no "real" mountains within 2-3 hours of Lansdale. There are some waterfalls in the Poconos, northeast of you.
Promised Land State Park seems to meet most of your needs (no motor boats, though, just canoes or rowing). It will be a longer trip for your friends, depending on where they are in Connecticut. It is located in southwestern Pike County, east of Scranton. I haven't camped there but it is a beautiful area and the park includes boating, swimming, and hiking within the park. Buck Hill Falls is a large cascade falls within a short drive to the south. More details at: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/promisedland.aspx
Another place, though a bit more commercial, is High Point State Park in northernmost New Jersey (site of this year's Highpointer's Club meeting). It also has most of what you're looking for, including a cool monument on the summit of High Point, the base of which is the highest natural elevation in New Jersey. There are some waterfalls around Dingman's Ferry, about 45 minutes south of there. Park information is at: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/highpoint.html
