Military campgrounds and established RV parks provide diverse camping opportunities near Franklin Park, New Jersey, located in the suburban corridor between Philadelphia and New York City. The area sits at low elevation with average summer temperatures in the high 80s and winter lows around 30°F. Seasonal operation varies widely among facilities, with many private parks open year-round while county and military campgrounds typically close from November through March.
What to do
Lake activities at Turkey Swamp Park: The 64-site county park offers fishing, kayaking, and canoeing options on its lake. "There is a lake with a boat dock and a small boardwalk. In the summer, canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental," notes one Turkey Swamp Park visitor who appreciated the various water activities.
NYC sightseeing from Jersey City: Use Liberty Harbor RV Park as a base to explore Manhattan via public transit. "The light rail is a block away, and the path train is about 8. Two blocks away from NJ Path train into Manhattan or take the ferry to Wall Street!" explains a camper who stayed at Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Archery range access: Turkey Swamp Park provides an archery range for visitors bringing their own equipment. "Plenty to do over a 2 night stay. Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking. Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from," shares a camper about their experience.
Beach access from military parks: The National Guard Training Center RV sites offer proximity to shore towns. "Free beach just a few moments' walk down the road. Close to shore towns & many restaurants," writes a camper who stayed at the Military Park NJ National Guard Training Center RV Sites.
What campers like
Spacious sites in wooded settings: Many campers appreciate the privacy at Turkey Swamp Park. "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest. Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy," notes a reviewer.
Convenient NYC access: The proximity to public transportation makes Liberty Harbor particularly valuable despite its basic amenities. "This is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC. It's basically a parking lot with a dump station. Not much else," explains a visitor who still gave the park 4 stars because of its strategic location.
Family-friendly activities: Several parks offer playgrounds and recreational facilities. "There are playgrounds and picnic areas as well. There is also a fitness trail," writes a Village Scene Park visitor about the amenities available at their campground.
Military base amenities: Service members appreciate the maintained facilities at military campgrounds. "Small campground W/ 8 spaces in the main area and 7 in an adjacent area. All spaces are level concrete With fill hookups and attached concrete patio. Laundry facilities are free for use and in like new condition," shares a visitor to NWS Earle RV Park.
What you should know
Pet restrictions vary significantly: Military campgrounds often prohibit pets entirely. "Pets are NOT allowed (but they'd probably help w the geese problem)," notes a camper at the National Guard Training Center, while most private RV parks welcome pets with standard restrictions.
Sewer hookup configurations: Consider your equipment needs and tank layout when selecting a site. "Only annoying thing was the sewer hookup is about 18 inches off the ground so you need to lift the hose when emptying the tanks to ensure it actually fully drains," mentions a military park visitor.
Limited facilities at some locations: While campgrounds may advertise amenities, availability can be inconsistent. "There was only 1 bathroom with small shower for all guests, however they are in the process of adding 5 more," reported a visitor to Skyline RV Camp.
Management quality impacts experience: Several campgrounds have received comments about staff interactions affecting stays. "Extremely rude manager who will charge you for anything he can. If you give a card or deposit, expect to get excess charges," warns a visitor about one campground's management practices.
Tips for camping with families
Insect preparation essential: Be prepared for ticks in wooded areas, especially in warmer months. "I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2. That was so crazy because we were just sitting by our camper," reports a Turkey Swamp Park visitor about their unexpected encounter with ticks.
Theme park proximity: When visiting attractions like Six Flags, consider Indian Rock RV Resort for its convenient location. "We stayed two nights at this park because we wanted to spend a day at Six flags. We would camp here again to go to six flags because it was easy to drive back a few minutes after a long day at the park," shares a family who appreciated the convenience.
Water activities for kids: Several parks offer seasonal water recreation options that appeal to families. "We went camping with our 2- and 3-year-old kids. We were worried about bugs, but we didn't even use mosquito repellent and didn't get a single bite! The campground was super clean too," notes a family who camped at Turkey Swamp Park.
Tips from RVers
Extended hookup hoses required: Several campgrounds have unusual hookup configurations. "Bring a LONG water hose," advises an RV camper at Turkey Swamp Park, highlighting the distance between parking spots and water connections.
Urban camping considerations: RV parks near cities offer different experiences than traditional campgrounds. "Getting in and out of the city is an adventure. Stay right off the highway to avoid the $30 tunnel toll. Follow RV life pro and not Waze," advises an RVer who stayed at Liberty Harbor.
Limited dump station hours: Plan ahead for tank management at parks with restricted dump station access. "There's a $20 flat dump fee, opened 9-4pm M-F, but closed on the weekends (to our chagrin, we found this out too late!)," warns a visitor about one park's dump station limitations.
