RV camping near Metuchen, New Jersey provides access to both urban attractions and natural settings within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at the edge of the Piedmont plateau, creating varied terrain that transitions from coastal plains to rolling hills. Summer temperatures average 85°F with high humidity levels, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with temperatures in the 60-70°F range.
What to do
Kayaking and fishing opportunities: Turkey Swamp Park features a lake where visitors can rent various watercraft during summer months. "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," notes Lee D., who visited Turkey Swamp Park.
Archery practice: Some parks maintain dedicated archery facilities for visitors looking for alternative recreation. "We go every year. It has everything the outdoorsman could ask for. Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels," explains Patrick M. about his visits to Turkey Swamp Park.
Hiking trail networks: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers multiple trail options ranging from easy walks to more challenging routes. "We always hike to the lake here, it's a very easy hike and also very peaceful," shares Paulene-Amanda M. who frequently visits Mahlon Dickerson Reservation with family and pets.
NYC sightseeing access: The proximity to Manhattan makes some campgrounds ideal bases for city exploration. "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. who stayed at Liberty Harbor RV Park.
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Many campgrounds in the region offer larger-than-average sites with good privacy between neighbors. "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest," explains Katheryn N. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Convenient NYC access options: Multiple transportation methods make city access straightforward from certain campgrounds. "Very easy to hop on transit to get to New York City. People were friendly," notes Karla S., who appreciated the city connections from Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses and amenities are consistently mentioned in positive reviews. "The bathrooms and showers are clean and well maintained," observes Katheryn N. about Indian Rock RV Resort, adding that the campground has "pretty lake with good fishing."
Flexible site configurations: Some parks accommodate multiple camping setups on a single site. "They also allowed us to put the car tent on the same site as a friend's camper," mentions Jean T. about her experience at Turkey Swamp Park.
What you should know
Tick awareness needed: Some wooded campsites require extra vigilance for ticks, especially in warmer months. "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," warns Laura Y. after staying at Turkey Swamp Park.
Urban camping realities: City-adjacent RV parks trade natural settings for location advantages. "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," advises Keith and Tia S. about their stay at Liberty Harbor.
Seasonal operation schedules: Many campgrounds near Metuchen have limited operating seasons. "We stayed two nights at this park because we wanted to spend a day at Six flags," reports Valen K. about Military Park NJ National Guard Training Center, which only operates from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between locations, with some rural campgrounds having poor reception. "There is no wifi in some areas," notes Phantom S. who experienced connectivity issues at Crystal Springs Lodges & RV Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playground options: Several parks provide kid-friendly recreation areas within camping loops. "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office," explains Lee D. about the facilities at Turkey Swamp Park.
Bug preparation: During certain times, insect activity can range from negligible to significant. "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!" shares Jaewook P. after a late summer visit to NWS Earle RV Park.
Diverse activity options: Family-friendly parks offer multiple recreation choices within walking distance. "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. about his family's experience at Turkey Swamp Park.
Tent platform advantages: Some parks provide raised platforms that improve the tent camping experience. "There are these 12x12 platforms to put your tent on. This was pretty cool especially since some of the sites are all gravel with surrounding dirt," notes Christina L. about her stay at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Tips from RVers
Water connection challenges: Hookup configurations can require extra equipment at certain campgrounds. "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," advises antruze after staying at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Dump station logistics: Waste disposal facilities vary significantly between parks. "The dump station has a flush hose point. Nice and easy little campground," shares antruze, noting the convenient setup at Mahlon Dickerson.
Urban navigation considerations: City-adjacent RV parks can present challenges for larger vehicles. "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," recommends Joe R. based on his experience navigating to Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Hookup configurations: The placement of utility connections affects how RVs must position on sites. "A longer camper will be parked over the sewage connection," notes Jeffrey about his experience at NWS Earle RV Park, adding that "all spaces are level concrete With full hookups and attached concrete patio."
