Camping sites near Rahway, New Jersey range from rustic tent sites to full-service RV parks within 30 miles of the city. The region sits at low elevations of 10-400 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and high humidity from June through August. Most campgrounds in the region enforce strict quiet hours starting at 10 PM due to the proximity of sites to one another.
What to do
Hiking on varied terrain: At Round Valley State Park Campground, trails around the reservoir offer scenic views with moderate difficulty levels. "Hike in or boat across the reservoir, thats the only way to access these primitive sites. Beautiful sites right on the lake, or up higher if wanted," notes Michelle D.
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park provides designated archery targets for visitors who bring their equipment. According to Dan W., "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."
Urban exploring: Near Liberty Harbor RV Park, campers can access public transit to Manhattan. "This is a prime location for visiting the city or heading down the shore. The light rail is a block away, and the path train is about 8," reports Joe R.
Lakeside activities: Many parks feature fishing and non-motorized boating. At Turkey Swamp Park, a visitor mentioned "The campground is super clean too. It was perfect!" while noting the family-friendly water activities available.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Turkey Swamp Park offers more seclusion than other campgrounds in the region. "Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy. A lantern hook, picnic table, and fire ring complete each site," according to Lee D.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention the well-maintained bathrooms at many parks. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, one visitor noted, "The campground is clean, paved nicely and well run. Our site is easily the nicest- all the way in the back with only one neighbor. It is so quiet here."
Tent platforms: Several campsites provide raised wooden platforms for tent setup. Christina L. shared about Mahlon Dickerson: "They have these 12x12 platforms to put your tent on. This was pretty cool especially since some of the sites are all gravel with surrounding dirt."
Public transportation access: Campers staying near the city appreciate the transit connections. At Liberty Harbor RV Park, one reviewer mentioned, "There is a ferry 100-yards away that takes you to Wall Street M-F. There is a great market about 1/4 of a mile away, and the path that can take you to WTC or 33rd Street area is only a mile away."
What you should know
Tick awareness: Some wooded campgrounds require extra precautions. At Turkey Swamp Park, one camper warned: "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."
Traffic noise levels: Campgrounds near major roadways experience constant background noise. At Allaire State Park, a camper observed: "Sites are a little too close together. Noisy with highway traffic. Well maintained though."
Water hookup distances: At some parks, water spigots may be far from electrical connections. Antruze noted at Mahlon Dickerson, "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."
Hunting seasons: Some parks permit hunting during specific seasons. At Cheesequake State Park, a camper mentioned, "The strangest thing is that hunting is allowed in the state park except on Sundays. There was a sign near our camp site saying don't shoot here because there is a city street 40 yards away."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly sites: Cheesequake State Park Campground offers accessible camping for first-timers. "This is a great site for those who are not avid campers. It's close to town if you forget something and it has all the facilities you may need, bathroom, shower, etc. The best part is all the trails," reports Maggie A.
Playground access: Many parks include dedicated play areas for children. Turkey Swamp Park features "Centralized playground for the kids with bathrooms and showers next door," according to a review.
Beach proximity: Campers can reach ocean beaches within a short drive from several campgrounds. From Allaire State Park, one visitor shared: "A really nice bike ride to Ocean Grove and other beach towns."
Off-season visits: For families seeking quieter experiences, consider camping during spring or fall. A visitor to Sandy Hook noted, "Rangers at the entrance regulate admittance thus, providing a safe environment within the confines of the base."
Tips from RVers
Urban RV options: Liberty Harbor RV Park provides limited amenities but unmatched city access. Keith and Tia S. explained: "This is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC. 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."
Dump station access: Most parks have single dump stations that can become congested on checkout days. According to Shawn B., "There is a dump station, but not the easiest to use."
Pull-through availability: Turkey Swamp Park features accessible sites for larger rigs. Jean T. noted, "This campground has all pull-through sites. Nicely wooded with water and electric. Be sure to bring extra hose because the water spigot is a distance from the electric."
Toll avoidance: When driving RVs to urban campgrounds, plan routes carefully. Joe R. advised about Liberty Harbor: "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."
