Turkey Swamp Park
Water/power at the campsite, and and centrally located dump station. Lots of trees and nice separation of sites
3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Liberty Harbor RV Park in Jersey City provides 90 sites with full hookups, including 50-amp service, water, electric, and sewer connections. The park accommodates large motorhomes and offers pull-through RV pads with concrete surfaces. Black Bear RV Park features 74 sites with water and electric hookups, supporting both 30-amp and 50-amp connections for varying RV power needs. "This place is nothing special. Literally a parking lot with water & electric hookups. Larger rigs will barely have a yard," noted one camper about Liberty Harbor. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers spacious RV sites with 50-amp electric service and water hookups on level pads, though without sewer connections at individual sites.
Within 30 miles of Newark, dump stations are available at several campgrounds including Mahlon Dickerson Reservation and Liberty Harbor. Cell service varies significantly across the region, with better connectivity at parks closer to urban areas. Winter camping options are limited, as many campgrounds like Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort operate seasonally from April through October. Navigation to some parks requires careful planning, especially for larger motorhomes. A review of Black Bear RV Park mentioned "great location and nice, full hook-up sites. Back-in and pull through sites and can accommodate large rigs." Most RV parks in the area accept pets with certain restrictions, though Military Park NJ National Guard Training Center prohibits them entirely.
"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
"A little intimidating driving in to a nondescript gate at the end of a narrow street but the overall experience exceeded expectation."
Available this weekend
from $130 / night
Available this weekend
from $85 - $120 / night
"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."
"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
from $96 - $2500 / night
"Have stayed here several times - great location and nice, full hook-up sites. Back-in and pull through sites and can accommodate large rigs. A little expensive but everything is included."
"This is definitely one of the cleanest quiets site I’ve ever visited"
from $82 - $95 / night
"The sites are nicely wooded, very well spaced, fairly level with 50A service and water hookup."
"It is a small campground nestled in the woods. There are level padded sites with electric and water (in warmer months). Sites were spaced out with beautiful woods in the background."
"Lots of seasonals and lots of cabins, many RV sites I think all with full hookups. A bit pricey. And also no garbage anywhere near the RV sites!"
"Weekend was busy as usual but during the week it seems to be seasonal that stay. A bit out here in the middle of nowhere, 15-20 minutes from any town. Make sure you have what you need!"
"The campground was clean and quiet. RV hook-ups, tent platforms, and rustic tent sites were available."
"The grounds are just steps away from Welch Lake, offering a lifeguard monitored sandy beach which is open during the summer season for swimming, fishing, and small boat craft further out."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $21 - $24 / night












Water/power at the campsite, and and centrally located dump station. Lots of trees and nice separation of sites
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!
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.
Past reviews has mentioned that the office seems to be closed often, while I found that to be true I had no reason to contact anyone. This is definitely one of the cleanest quiets site I’ve ever visited
Booked the day before—even on the holiday weekend! Just 1.5 hours outside of NYC, site was a bit close to the neighbors (fire pit was very far back and basically in the neighbors’ campsite, but we put up a “privacy clothesline” and hung a tarp over it for a bit of extra coverage.
The staff was friendly and helpful, they said it was the busiest they’ve seen the campground all year (there were lots of large groups but everyone seemed to settle down by 9:30pm
Poison ivy was EVERYWHERE at our site so make sure to stick to the open areas and the paths. Lots of families around, we felt very safe Bathrooms were fine—it was my impression they’re usually cleaner but the high traffic of the weekend left a bit to be desired, (lots of families around=dirty diapers in the bathroom trash bin) but it’s camping! I’m not gonna argue w a flushing toilet!
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.
We’ve been to Camp Taylor twice now for tent camping: September 2021 and May 2023. We stayed at the rustic tent sites both times, and there was room for 2 cars and 2 tents. Depending on how you want your setup, there are some that are more secluded and others that are close together and would be great for group camping.
The staff are all lovely and take the time to explain the rules both in-person at check-in and on the forms they provide at the time of booking. They are not hiding how seriously they take rules like quiet hours, and it will keep campers like me coming back. If you are respectful of the folks around you and especially during the posted quiet hours, you will have no problems.
The office and shop keep supply of snacks, firewood, and gifts. There are flush toilets mapped in spots of the tent sites (SUCH a pleasant surprise! I was expecting a porta-potty or vault toilet), and hot showers are available at the same complex as the office.
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.
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.
The Newark region offers urban-adjacent camping within a 30-mile radius spanning northeastern New Jersey and portions of southeastern New York. Most campgrounds near Newark operate seasonally from spring through fall, with limited winter options. Temperatures typically range from 25°F in winter to 85°F in summer, requiring appropriate seasonal camping preparations.
Lake activities at Harriman State Park: Located approximately 40 miles from Newark, Beaver Pond Campground provides access to Welch Lake with a lifeguard-monitored sandy beach. "The beach is secured with lifeguards and shower and bathroom facilities are available," notes Brian O.
Hiking opportunities: Several trail systems surround Newark-area campgrounds, including historic routes. "A quick 15 minute drive from Beaver Pond, is Bear Mountain State Park. Here you can find some of the Appalachian Trail, with various smaller trail heads for this historic (Revolutionary Times 1770s) part of the region including the one to Doodle Town," writes Steve W.
Farm animal experiences: Some campgrounds incorporate farm elements. At Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort, "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool," according to Faith D.
Proximity to NYC transportation: Liberty Harbor RV Park provides exceptional city access. "The light rail is a block away, and the path train is about 8," writes Joe R., while Karen S. adds, "2 ferries that run to Manhattan. Path train is a 12 minute walk away that will take you to Manhattan."
Privacy and spacing: Some campgrounds offer well-separated sites. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation stands out for its design. As Greg S. explains, "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."
Value compared to alternatives: While some rv parks near Newark, New Jersey charge premium rates, Harriman State Park offers affordability. "Camping for just $15," states Adaly, while Elliot G. adds, "Prices all can afford to come. Great for all types of levels of campers."
Bear awareness: Wildlife encounters require preparation at several campgrounds. At Harriman State Park, one camper noted, "Welcome to Bear Mountain" grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness!" Steve W. adds, "The wildlife do roam around your campsite so be mindful of putting food and garbage away before sleeping."
Waste management challenges: Some facilities have limited garbage disposal options. At Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort, "The garbage situation was the worst... This place had their garbage and recycling very far away and without a golf cart (which they had none to offer) or a car, you're stuck," reports Janelle G.
Location accuracy issues: GPS navigation can be problematic. At Skyline RV Camp, one camper noted, "The campground was pretty hard to find. We almost gave up before we found someone local who could point us to the right place. One of the reasons is that their sign is half gone, small, and very hard to read."
Look for dedicated activity spaces: Some rv parks near Newark feature specific family amenities. Pleasant Acres Farm offers "Playground, hayride, animals to feed (goats, chickens, donkey and pony). There were some organized activities which was nice," according to Janelle G.
Consider noise levels: Campground quietness varies significantly. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, "It is so quiet here. No amenities or extras here, just really pleasant camping in the woods," notes Greg S. Conversely, at Harriman, "There is a constant buzz in the air of conversation, music, laughter and shrieking toddlers."
Plan for bathroom logistics: Facilities differ greatly between campgrounds. Beaver Pond offers "Full bathrooms and slop sinks throughout the campsite," according to Kelvin. Skyline RV provides minimal facilities: "There was only 1 bathroom with small shower for all guests, however they are in the process of adding 5 more," reports Arlene S.
Platform placement considerations: At Mahlon Dickerson, water access requires planning. "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," notes a camper.
Navigation for large vehicles: Some rv parks near Newark, New Jersey have access challenges. At Pleasant Acres, "When you leave you have to drive the wrong way in the campground because of the low hanging trees the correct direction," warns Bill B. At Liberty Harbor, Shawn B. notes, "There is a dump station, but not the easiest to use."
Off-season advantages: Quieter experiences await during shoulder seasons. At Black Bear RV Park, Harold C. found "Campsite 44 for just one night. I can hear distant cars from time to time but, not like highway sounds." Similarly at Beaver Pond, "mid-week during the off-season it was great," according to Rebecca S.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular RV campsite near Newark, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Newark, NJ is Liberty Harbor RV Park with a 3.8-star rating from 16 reviews.
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