RV parks near North Brunswick, New Jersey offer varied camping experiences within a 30-mile radius of urban and coastal destinations. The terrain includes a mix of wooded settings and paved facilities with different seasonal availabilities. Sites range from the parking lot-style settings of Liberty Harbor to more spacious, wooded spots at Turkey Swamp Park where water spigots are sometimes shared between campsites.
What to do
Lake activities at Turkey Swamp: The lake at Turkey Swamp Park offers fishing, boating, and seasonal water recreation. "Fishing, Tent Camp, Van Camping, Open Field, BBQ, Kayaking, Canoeing. The list goes on. I've been here a few times, every time I'm here I barely touch my phone," reports one camper.
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park maintains an archery range for visitors interested in target practice. "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," notes a reviewer.
Manhattan sightseeing: Liberty Harbor RV Park serves as a strategic base for New York City exploration. A camper explains, "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. They are nice but a bit rough."
Beach access: Military Park NJ National Guard Training Center provides convenient beach access. "Free beach just a few moments' walk down the road. Close to shore towns & many restaurants. Plenty of space for kids to play in the field/grass area," according to a visitor.
Theme park visits: Indian Rock RV Resort positions campers just minutes from Six Flags Great Adventure. "We stayed two nights at this park because we wanted to spend a day at Six flags... We would camp here again to go to six flags because it was easy to drive back a few minutes after a long day at the park."
What campers like
Convenient NYC access: Urban campers appreciate Liberty Harbor's proximity to Manhattan. "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. We brought scooters & had a great stay!"
Private wooded sites: Military Park Fort Dix Range 14 Camp offers a secluded camping experience. "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."
Suburban convenience: Village Scene Park provides an unusual suburban camping experience. "Located 30 miles or so northwest from 'The City of Brotherly Love,' VSP is a hodge-podge of different living accommodations... a decent amount of vacant land adjacent to the 2-3 strips of parallel running pavement pathways where you'll see RV's lined up on either side."
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept amenity buildings. At Turkey Swamp Park, "The bathrooms and showers are clean and well maintained. There is pretty lake with good fishing and they sell bait at the Ranger office."
What you should know
Urban camping realities: Village Scene Park offers a different camping experience than traditional parks. "When we first arrived, I have to admit, I was very confused. Is this a 55+ retirement community? Yes, kind of. Trailer home park? Well, sort of. Is this a place where you can roll up for one night and anchor your RV? Yep, it still is."
Wildlife concerns: Natural settings may include unwanted wildlife encounters. One Turkey Swamp visitor 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."
Limited facilities: Some campgrounds have minimal bathroom facilities. "There was only 1 bathroom with small shower for all guests, however they are in the process of adding 5 more," noted a Skyline RV Camp reviewer.
Seasonal operation: Operating seasons vary significantly. Indian Rock RV Resort runs from May through September, Village Scene Park remains open year-round, while Military Park NJ National Guard Training Center operates between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Turkey Swamp offers dedicated children's recreation areas. "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office."
Tick prevention: Pack insect repellent and perform regular tick checks when camping in wooded areas like Turkey Swamp Park. One family noted their experience: "I was so excited when we got here. The sites are spacious and it's really beautiful. But by the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me."
Tent options: Many RV parks allow tent camping alongside RVs. "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."
Science center visit: Skyline RV Camp - Waterfront provides access to educational attractions. "The area feels safe and is pedestrian friendly, even at night (we were there Halloween night and we took our kids out trick-or-treating just outside the gate)... minutes walk to the Statue of Liberty, liberty Science center."
Tips from RVers
Water hookup planning: At Turkey Swamp Park, prepare for shared water connections. "Bring a LONG water hose. Nice lake. Showers and washers and dryers."
Sewer connection logistics: Military Park NJ National Guard Training Center has an unusual sewer setup. "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."
Dump station timing: Village Scene Park has limited dump station hours. "There's a $20 flat dump fee, opened 9-4pm M-F, but closed on the weekends (to our chagrin, we found this out too late!)."
Navigation challenges: Urban campgrounds can present driving difficulties. "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."
