M
Michael M.
Scout
ScoutTurkey Swamp Park
Water/power at the campsite, and and centrally located dump station. Lots of trees and nice separation of sites
RV Camping near Gateway National Recreation Area, NJ
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Liberty Harbor RV Park in Jersey City provides 90 RV sites with water and electric hookups, sanitary dump station, and full-service amenities including showers and toilets. The park operates year-round with spaces in a marina setting that offers views of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline. Sites are tightly arranged in a gravel lot with little separation between neighboring RVs. Skyline RV Camp offers 20 waterfront sites in Brooklyn with electric hookups and basic amenities, though the location has recently moved from its original waterfront position. Sites at both parks accommodate big rigs but provide minimal space between units. "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 will be within inches of your rig," one camper shared.
Access to New York City attractions drives most RV travelers to these metropolitan parks despite their premium pricing and basic setups. Liberty Harbor's rates start at $120 per night, justified primarily by location rather than amenities. According to one visitor, "This is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC." Public transportation options include nearby ferries and train stations within walking distance of both RV parks. For military personnel, NWS Earle RV Park in Colts Neck offers a more affordable alternative with full hookups on concrete pads about an hour from Manhattan. Most parks in the area maintain strict pet policies, with some allowing pets while others prohibit them entirely. Reservation requirements vary seasonally, with Liberty Harbor typically requiring advance booking during peak tourist seasons.
Best RV Campgrounds near Gateway National Recreation Area (34)
1. Liberty Harbor RV Park
"If you want to visit NYC and surrounding areas, this is the place. Expensive but... When you look at local hotel rates, not so much."
"Basicly a parking lot, but the location can't be beat. 2 ferries that run to Manhattan. Path train is a 12 minute walk away that will take you yyo manhatten."
from $145 - $180 / night
Check Availability2. Skyline RV Camp - Waterfront
"A little intimidating driving in to a nondescript gate at the end of a narrow street but the overall experience exceeded expectation."
from $130 / night
Check Availability3. Skyline RV Camp - Non-Waterfront
from $85 - $120 / night
Check Availability4. NWS Earle RV Park
"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."
5. Military Park NJ National Guard Training Center RV Sites
"We stayed in site #1 with our 21' travel trailer. In our opinion this is the best site because you have an unobstructed view of Stockton Lake & the horizon over the ocean."
from $45 / night
Check Availability6. Military Park Fort Dix Range 14 Camp
"We stayed here in November-December to do some exploring around Jersey. Not a lot going on at the fam camp. Clean and gravel. Lots of military training nearby but overall a quiet stay."
from $20 / night
7. Crystal Springs Lodges & RV Resort
from $96 - $2500 / night
8. Nickerson Beach Park Campground
"Very nice family oriented, places the beach, which is great except for the birds watch out they come at you. They have a dog park basketball courts playground swimming just about everything."
"It’s basically a parking lot, but it’s steps away from some of the greatest waves on the east coast. Showers are clean, there’s a dog park nearby, and the island is very bikable to get around."
9. Collective Retreats Governors Island
from $409 - $954 / night
Check Availability10. Indian Rock RV Resort and Campground
"Many campers here are seasonal or long term stays and were very quiet and respectful."
"Our site was a big pull through site. Unfortunately, the bathhouse near our site had no hot water, but they were working on it, so I’m sure it won’t be for long. Well stocked store."
from $78 - $98 / night
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Drive Time
- 31 min from New York, NY
- 1 hr 5 min from Trenton, NJ
- 1 hr 18 min from Kiryas Joel, NY
- 1 hr 21 min from Bridgeport, CT
Recent RV Camping Photos near Gateway National Recreation Area
51 Photos of 34 Gateway National Recreation Area Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Skyline RV Camp - Non-WaterfrontS
Liberty Harbor RV Park
Skyline RV Camp - WaterfrontS
NWS Earle RV ParkJ
Military Park NJ National Guard Training Center RV Sites
Nickerson Beach Park CampgroundC
Cracker Barrel — Mt Arlington (Roxbury)
Indian Rock RV Resort and Campground
Turkey Swamp ParkJ
Adventure Bound Camping (Tall Pines)
Croton Point Park
Blydenburgh County ParkC
RV Park Reviews near Gateway National Recreation Area
274 Reviews of 34 Gateway National Recreation Area Campgrounds
Stuart K.
LegendLowe's - W Windsor
Upscale Parking Paradise at This Home Fixer-Upper
Located just off US Route 1 in the upscale Princeton area, this spacious Lowe's serves up a surprisingly pleasant patch of pavement for weary road warriors looking to catch some shut-eye. Set back roughly 80 yards from the highway, this big blue home improvement retailer offers a generously sized parking lot with relatively manageable traffic, good maneuverability and a quieter atmosphere than you might expect from such a busy suburban retail corridor. The western and southern edges of the lot are particularly appealing for an overnight stay, and with Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several other retailers nearby, convenience certainly isn't in short supply. Better yet, the store management was friendly and accommodating when we called ahead to arrange our overnight visit.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spacious, paved parking lot with plenty of room to maneuver larger rigs; (2) Convenient access to US Route 1 and nearby I-95; (3) Western and southern parking areas offer quieter spots away from the busiest customer traffic; (4) Excellent nearby conveniences, including Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several dining options; and (5) Friendly store management that welcomed our overnight stay, plus surprisingly good opportunities for outdoor recreation nearby.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) Some daytime retail traffic and occasional road noise, although nothing terribly disruptive; (2) No RV hookups, dump station or dedicated overnight camping facilities; (3) Parking areas closest to the store can become crowded during business hours; (4) Limited greenery and little of the scenery you'd expect from a traditional campground; and (5) While the overnight experience was excellent, this is still a commercial parking lot rather than a destination for an extended stay.
Happy Overnighting!
Edwin R.ScoutCheesequake State Park Campground
Park uses county cops to shut down park by 9pm.
On Friday, September 4, 2026, I rented a trailer and brought my family to Cheesequake State Park to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary over the extended Labor Day weekend. Around 9:20 PM—well before the park's designated 10:00 PM quiet hours—we were sitting inside our canopy, playing Jenga, and listening to low background music. Two officers from the Matawan Police Department approached our campsite. They were polite and courteous, simply offering a standard reminder to wrap things up by 10:00 PM. Before they could leave, however, a third, senior officer intervened. Wanting to"show them how it's done," he made the two polite officers return and stand by to watch as he demonstrated how to aggressively harass campers. Flashlight in hand, the senior officer approached with an immediate hostile attitude, treating us like criminals as he demanded to know who rented the site. He began reiterating rules and claimed we had too many vehicles. We had three cars, one belonging to my brother-in-law's girlfriend, who was visiting with her daughter. She had paid the$10 visitor fee at the main office and was instructed by staff to obtain the gate access code from us, the primary renters, if she got locked in. No staff member ever informed her of an 8:00 PM visitor departure deadline, leading us to reasonably assume visitors were permitted until quiet hours began at 10:00 PM. The officer rudely snapped that she had been given wrong information. The senior officer then used profanity in front of three small children, aggressively telling her to ("get her shit and get the fuck out!") in that manner or use profanity, the officer went from hostile to furious. He angrily declared that these were official violations and threatened that he could be issuing us tickets instead. Desperately searching for anything and everything to throw at us, he demanded that we turn off our idling car—which was supplying power to our campsite—and instructed us to make sure the campfire was doused before shutting down for the night. He then proceeded to shine his flashlight into our private setup—including our canopy, tents, and the inside of our trailer—searching for any other possible violation while the two polite officers were forced to watch. What was supposed to be a special 10th wedding anniversary celebration with my family was completely ruined by a senior officer misusing his authority to put on an unnecessary display of intimidation. Worse than just ruining our night, he spent that evening teaching those two police officers how to be bad cops. He corrupted two officers in real time, demonstrating firsthand exactly why most people have lost faith in the police force. The next day we was ready for them. We turned off our lights and quietly by the fire while they went next door to harass an asian family that had just set up camp and had their leds lights on.
- JJoyceScout
Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park
Bare bones
No hookups. It was wooded, quiet and dark at night. I used the dump station on my way out. The first time I ever saw a poop fountain. The sewer opening sticks up above ground level. The cover swivels away, so I couldn't put it on top of my hose. And then, when I tried to rinse it, there was nowhere for it to go, because the inlet is elevated.
Tabatta C.ScoutVoorhees State Park Campground
Clean and well maintained!
I spent 4 days and 3 nights with my 6th grade Girl Scouts. We were at sites 23 and 24 which worked out great because they back up against each other. The bathrooms were super clean and well maintained. There are outlets at the bathroom building by the sink to charge any electronics. The playground is adequate and the field is big for playing. There are many things to do close by too like the observatory, Round Valley beach, Grounds for Art, etc. We all really enjoyed ourselves and plan on returning.
- CCarlos E.Scout
Turkey Swamp Park
Really nice campground
Stayed three nights in a tent and enjoyed it very much. Sites have electrical hookups, shared water connections, large picnic table, and fire ring with adjustable grate. Electrical and water are at the outer edge of each site so you might want an extension cord and/or hose. Bathrooms are clean; showers have separate stalls but they’re clustered together (not the most private). There are hiking and biking trails, a lake, and archery park. Staff are friendly. Office is open through 9pm, and firewood, ice, and bait for fishing are available. Site C3 is in an okay spot; it’s close to the bathroom and laundry room, but also right next to the playground. We were able to visit the beach; easy 25 minute drive to Asbury Park.
- AAimee K.
TravelerTurkey Swamp Park
Great Park
Beautiful park and very peaceful. Rangers are super friendly. This is exactly what camping should be.
S G.ScoutMahlon Dickerson Reservation
Primitive
The main issue with the sites was that they were primitive -- no water. The campsites were basically just wooden platforms, with a picnic table and fire pit. There were also a lot of bugs, though this may be due to the rain. The location itself was fairly pretty and there were a number of hiking trails of not-overly-serious difficulty. The particular site we picked left is a little farther from our car than we would have liked, but for other sites you can bring your car closer.
Nicole H.TravelerHeckscher State Park Campground
Beginner Camper Friendly
To start, Andrew was phenomenal. I arrived at 6:40 PM and he was able to hook us up with the last campground and was so patient and friendly when answering our questions. Overall staff was great, I saw someone picking up trash after campers checked out. Bathrooms are clean, 1 mile walk from campgrounds to beach area. Very spider and tick heavy if you don’t stay on the walking trail. Campers were very respectful and friendly, overall an amazing first time camping trip. Paid about $32 for a night. Drinking water on site.
Guide to Gateway National Recreation Area
Urban camping options near Gateway National Recreation Area provide strategic access to New York City for travelers with recreational vehicles. Situated where New Jersey meets the Atlantic, this coastal area sits at sea level with a maritime climate featuring humid summers and mild winters. Autumn camping often brings temperatures ranging 45-65°F with periodic rainfall affecting site conditions at RV parks.
What to do
Outdoor exploration: Lake Welch Beach, located in Harriman State Park's Beaver Pond Campground, offers swimming during summer months under lifeguard supervision. "A stones throw from NYC this beautiful area combines Lake Welch and Harriman State Park. This camp ground is laid back away from the busy activity of the big city. If you want to get away and relax you can come here to walk, swim and camp," notes visitor Brian O.
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park provides designated archery facilities with hay bales for target practice, approximately 55 minutes from Gateway National Recreation Area. "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," reports Dan W., highlighting multiple recreational opportunities.
Water activities: Beyond beach swimming, Turkey Swamp Park offers various boating options on its lake. "There is a lake with a boat dock and a small boardwalk. Kayaking/Canoeing, fishing, and swimming. In the summer, canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental," describes Lee D.
What campers like
Convenient transportation links: The proximity to Manhattan transportation options makes Liberty Harbor RV Park practical for city exploration. "The light rail is a block away, and the path train is about 8. Staff is average, as this is not meant to be high end," explains Joe R., highlighting the accessibility despite basic amenities.
Waterfront views: Skyline RV Camp - Waterfront offers unique cityscape perspectives. "It's essentially a spacious parking lot with electrical pedestals but the view of the skyline across the water is spectacular and there's a metro station within a 10-minute walk," writes Amy P., noting that higher-numbered sites provide better direct views.
Natural environment: Despite urban proximity, some rv campgrounds near Gateway National Recreation Area maintain woodland settings. "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest. There are tent and RV sites and you are allowed to have a tent on the site with an RV at no extra charge," describes Katheryn N. about Turkey Swamp Park.
What you should know
Limited amenities at urban sites: Most RV campgrounds closest to Gateway National Recreation Area function primarily as parking areas with basic services. "The 'campground' is nothing special. Literally a parking lot with water & electric hookups. Larger rigs will barely have a yard. And don't bet on a private picnic table," warns Ericka T.
Bathroom facilities vary significantly: Indian Rock RV Resort and Campground visitor Kent W. notes, "Unfortunately, the bathhouse near our site had no hot water, but they were working on it, so I'm sure it won't be for long." At Skyline RV Camp, Amy P. found "portable showers available but beware the broken shower head holders and lack of shelving/hooks for towels & clothing."
Wildlife encounters: Ticks and other pests create challenges at some locations. Laura Y. reports from Turkey Swamp Park: "By the 2nd day 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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated play areas for children. "Centralized playground for the kids with bathrooms and showers next door," notes Dan W. about Turkey Swamp Park, which also features age-appropriate play equipment both within the campground and near the office.
Child-safe exploration areas: Beaver Pond Campground offers natural spaces suitable for young explorers. "Great location and quick to get to from NYC. 45 minute drive and location has a lot of amenities. Full bathrooms and slop sinks throughout the campsite," writes Kelvin, mentioning the campground's nearby lake and hiking trails.
Seasonal insect planning: Weather conditions affect outdoor enjoyment with children. Jaewook P. shares a positive experience at Turkey Swamp: "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!"
Tips from RVers
Military discount options: Active and retired service members have access to specialized RV facilities. "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," describes Jeffrey about NWS Earle RV Park in Colts Neck, located about an hour from Manhattan.
Site selection strategy: When staying at urban RV parks, position matters. "Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room," suggests one visitor regarding optimal placement at Liberty Harbor, where tight spacing remains a consistent challenge.
Ferry navigation: RVers report ferry service provides efficient Manhattan access. Emily L. notes that Liberty Harbor RV Park is "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!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular RV
campsite near Gateway National Recreation Area?
Which is the most popular RV campsite near Gateway National Recreation Area?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Gateway National Recreation Area is Liberty Harbor RV Park with a 3.8-star rating from 16 reviews.
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RV camping near
Gateway National Recreation Area?
What is the best site to find RV camping near Gateway National Recreation Area?
TheDyrt.com has all 34 RV camping locations near Gateway National Recreation Area, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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