Camping sites near Sewaren, New Jersey range from primitive boat-in locations to urban campgrounds with skyline views. The region sits at sea level along the Arthur Kill waterway, with predominantly sandy soil that drains quickly after rain. Weather patterns favor camping from late spring through early fall, with July averaging 85°F daytime temperatures and occasional coastal storms.
What to do
Kayaking and fishing at Round Valley State Park: Access the 2,350-acre reservoir where primitive campsites require either a 3-6 mile hike or boat access. "The water is crystal clear, the area is clean. There's bathrooms and pumps but we just filtered the water from the reservoir instead which tasted a million times better than the well water," noted one camper at Round Valley State Park Campground.
Urban exploring at Gateway sites: Staten Island's Gateway location offers unusual camping with historical structures. "There are abandoned buildings here and you can do urban exploring. There are rangers taking you on a trek and exploring the abandoned building," reports a visitor to Staten Island — Gateway National Recreation Area. The campground has limited sites (seven total) that fill quickly.
Archery practice near Freehold: Turkey Swamp Park provides dedicated archery facilities open to campers. "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," writes a reviewer at Turkey Swamp Park.
What campers like
Waterfront views of NYC skyline: Campsites at Sandy Hook offer unique urban-nature combinations. "With views from the campsite looking out to the sea, the skyline of NYC on the left & NJ on the right, it was awe inspiring and, the sunset was a real treat!!" shares a camper at Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area.
Secluded sites with limited traffic: Turkey Swamp features well-spaced sites that provide actual privacy. "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest. Sites are tent and RV sites and you are allowed to have a tent on the site with an RV at no extra charge," notes one visitor.
Beginner-friendly camping: First-time campers find accessible options near civilization. "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," according to a Cheesequake State Park Campground visitor.
What you should know
Ticks present in wooded areas: Sandy soil and dense vegetation harbor ticks in many campgrounds. "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. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2," warns a camper at Turkey Swamp Park.
Highway noise at several locations: Multiple campgrounds sit near major highways. "Located between two busy roads. Stayed in the family campground in a travel trailer. Longish bike ride or shortish drive to the main park. Used a fan in the trailer to block out the sound of traffic," reports a Cheesequake visitor.
Urban camping security: Campgrounds near urban centers have specific security protocols. "Rangers at the entrance regulate admittance thus, providing a safe environment within the confines of the base," explains a Sandy Hook camper regarding the check-in process.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated children's play areas. "Centralized playground for the kids with bathrooms and showers next door. Staff was awesome! Attentive and outgoing," notes a Turkey Swamp Park visitor about the family amenities.
Short hiking options: Trails suitable for younger children exist at multiple parks. "This park is on the list of 50 top NJ Hikes, and it has a few great trails. The trails range from easy to moderate with quite a few lookout locations. The elevation of the trails is not too strenuous," shares a Cheesequake visitor.
Urban camping with easy city access: Liberty Harbor RV Park offers family-friendly camping with convenient transportation options. "Very easy to hop on transit to get to New York City. People were friendly," reports a visitor about accessing Manhattan attractions from this urban campground in Jersey City.
Tips from RVers
Levelness and surface conditions: Many campgrounds have uneven or unpaved sites. "Sites in Loops B-E all have pull-thru driveways. Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy," notes a Turkey Swamp Park reviewer about the RV-friendly layout.
Hookup placement challenges: Water and electric connections require extra preparation at some locations. "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," advises a Turkey Swamp Park visitor.
RV size limitations: Larger rigs face constraints at urban camping locations. "Larger rigs will barely have a yard. And don't bet on a private picnic table. On a slow checkout day, you might get lucky enough to not wait in line for the dump station," warns a Liberty Harbor RV Park camper about the tight spacing at this popular Manhattan-adjacent option.
