RV parks near Mountainside, New Jersey provide varying degrees of access to urban attractions while offering necessary amenities for campers. Located in Union County at the base of the Watchung Mountains, this area experiences warm summers and moderately cold winters with seasonal camping typically running April through October. Cell service varies significantly between locations with some campgrounds reporting only 1-2 bars of reception on major carriers.
What to do
Statue of Liberty access: Liberty Harbor RV Park offers convenient access to the Statue of Liberty with one visitor noting, "My wife visited Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The sites had electric and water and were in a fenced off section of tue marina parking area."
Manhattan commuting options: Several transportation methods connect to the city from nearby RV parks. "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," reports a camper.
Hiking trails: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers extensive trail networks close to campsites. According to one visitor, "There are plenty of trails, water (creeks, pond, lake) views and even if the place is packed there is PLENTY of room... Just best place I have ever been and plenty to do near by."
What campers like
Urban convenience with camping comforts: Liberty Harbor RV Park balances city access with basic amenities. "Very plain & functional, no frills but right on the harbor & on the very edge of Jersey City, close to a ferry & the train that takes u across to New York City. Shopping & restraunts are right next door."
Military facilities access: NWS Earle RV Park provides quality accommodations for those with military credentials. "Laundry facilities are free for use and in like new condition... It's only an hour from Manhattan & 20 more minutes from the shore. If you're planning a visit to either this campground is cheap, clean & quiet."
Forest camping close to shopping: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers wooded sites with convenient access to retail options. "It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities. And yet it's only about a 15 minute drive to a large mall with movies, shopping, and restaurants."
What you should know
Site spacing considerations: RV parks in this area vary dramatically in site spacing. At Timothy Lake South, "Sites are kinda close together but it was fairly quiet even though it was full," while at Mahlon Dickerson, "The campsites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large."
Campground infrastructure: Some campgrounds feature unique setups for utilities. At Military Park NJ National Guard Training Center, "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."
Transportation coordination: Navigation between Jersey City and Manhattan requires planning. "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 one Liberty Harbor visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Cost management strategies: Balancing price with proximity to attractions requires flexibility. At Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South, "Simple Campground - nice lay out albeit as with many campgrounds, the spaces are quite close together. With a sparse population in the winter, it made for a great spot for a work stay."
Wildlife awareness: Some campgrounds require special precautions. One visitor to Mahlon Dickerson noted, "There are a lot of bear warnings here so that gave us a bit of pause with our three little boys. The sites are spaced well and have a nice bonus of large fire rings set back in the woods a bit from the pad that you park on."
Limited bathroom facilities: Some locations have minimal restroom access. At Skyline RV Camp, "There was only 1 bathroom with small shower for all guests, however they are in the process of adding 5 more. The only bathroom did have toilet paper, a garbage can and hand soap for the sink, but no paper towels."
Tips from RVers
Navigation challenges: RVers report varying degrees of access difficulty at Mountainside, NJ area campgrounds. At Mountain Top RV Park, "We recently had the pleasure of staying at Mountain Top and were were impressed by the exceptional experience and service provided by the owners. The newly upgraded camp infrastructure elevated the stay."
Connectivity issues: Internet and cell service vary widely between locations. "I was not able to get WiFi even though I paid for it. We had to park near the office to get it to work. Kind of a pain to not be able to use the booster for all our devices in the rig," notes a Timothy Lake South visitor.
Water pressure variations: Campers report significant differences in utility services. At Timothy Lake South, one camper noted, "Best water pressure I have seen on the east coast, unregulated it's over 80 psi. Cell service is ok. Verizon is 25 down 10 up. Tmobile is unusable."
