Urban campers seeking sites near South Plainfield, New Jersey can access multiple options within 45 minutes of the city. The region features elevations ranging from sea level at coastal sites to 1,200 feet at inland forest campgrounds in the highlands. Winter camping availability varies significantly by location, with several sites remaining open year-round while others close from November through March.
What to do
Hiking near reservoirs: Round Valley Recreation Area offers trails with varying difficulty levels around its 2,350-acre reservoir. "This is a great campground that is super private and quiet - great for getting out to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. It's a pretty strenuous hike, but you'll be rewarded for the effort," notes one camper at Round Valley State Park Campground.
Urban exploration: Camp Gateway at Staten Island provides unique opportunities to view the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. "This campground is amazing. You have a clear view of the Narrow bridge and at night the city lights light up your surroundings like a night light. There are abandoned buildings here and you can do urban exploring," writes a reviewer at Staten Island — Gateway National Recreation Area.
Water activities: Many locations feature swimming, fishing and non-motorized boating. "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," mentions a visitor to Round Valley State Park.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Turkey Swamp Park features well-spaced campsites set among wooded areas. "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," explains a camper at Turkey Swamp Park.
Unique camping experiences: Pleasant Valley Lavender offers tent sites near flowering fields. "So pleasant to sleep near the blooming fields. Campsite is tucked in the woods with. Tent camping in peace and quiet with easy access to major roads and highways to explore central NJ," shares a reviewer at Pleasant Valley Lavender.
Urban proximity: Many campgrounds balance natural settings with quick access to urban conveniences. "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," notes a Cheesequake State Park visitor.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects several campgrounds. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, "Late at night you can hear the drone of a major highway," mentions one camper. Similarly, at Cheesequake State Park Campground, a visitor notes, "The Parkway is right there so its not a nice quiet place."
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between locations. "The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting. I thought with COVID they were cleaning them more, but for the entire weekend, someone's #2 remained all over the toilet, floor, and corner wall," reports a Spruce Run camper.
Campsite selection: Level sites with adequate shade can be hard to secure. "If bringing your RV, the safest bet is to reserve a spot with no shade as the other spots often times have very low hanging tree limbs," advises a Spruce Run Recreation Area visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Many parks feature dedicated children's areas. "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office," notes a reviewer at Turkey Swamp Park.
Biking opportunities: Several campgrounds feature flat, safe areas for children to ride. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, trails and roads provide safe riding spaces. "The campground is small but also secluded. We always hike to the lake here, it's a very easy hike and also very peaceful," explains a visitor.
Wildlife awareness: Bear activity requires proper food storage. "There are a lot of bear warnings here so that gave us a bit of pause with our three little boys," mentions a Mahlon Dickerson Reservation camper with young children.
Tips from RVers
Water hookup distance: Some campgrounds require extended hoses. "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 a Mahlon Dickerson camper.
Urban RV parking: Liberty Harbor RV Park offers Manhattan access despite limited amenities. "This is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC. 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," recommends a camper.
Site leveling: Most campgrounds offer relatively flat areas. "The campsites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large. Water and electric hookups and a dump station," notes a visitor to Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
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