Camping sites near Inwood, New York range from urban-adjacent parking lots to more natural settings within a day's drive of the city. Located at the northern tip of Manhattan, Inwood sits at the intersection of the Hudson and Harlem Rivers with elevations ranging from sea level to about 200 feet above it. The camping season typically runs from April through October with most facilities closing during winter months due to freezing temperatures and occasional snowfall.
What to do
Beachfront activities: 10 minutes from Nickerson Beach Park Campground with surfing at adjacent Lido Beach, biking paths, and volleyball areas. "Nickerson Beach only offers camping for RVs. The beach itself is a great place to spend a summer day. They recently installed a path that goes all the way down to the beach area so you don't have to walk on the sand for so long."
Urban exploration: Access historic military buildings at Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area where you can visit a hangar containing vintage aircraft under restoration. "The history housed on this base, with a hanger were full of old planes where dedicated veterans worked diligently to restore them, provided us up close inspection of multiple planes, including a mini-sized glider which we were granted personal access to get into."
Playground access: Available at Battle Row Campground with newly constructed facilities. "The playground is new and centrally located. They also have a horseshoe pit. There are 5-7 tent sites. Ours was #59, well shaded and spacious."
What campers like
Easy ferry connections: Liberty Harbor RV Park offers direct access to Wall Street and Manhattan via water transport. "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."
Waterfront views: Skyline RV Camp - Waterfront provides direct views of the Manhattan skyline across the water with easy Metro access. "It's essentially a spacious parking lot with electrical pedestals but the view of the skyline across the water is spectacular and there's a metro station within a 10-minute walk."
Surprising seclusion: Despite being surrounded by urban areas, some campgrounds offer unexpected privacy. "There are lots of RVs but not close to tent sites. There were lots of showers but only 1 was unlocked (free and with hot water). The bathroom was very clean and well stocked."
What you should know
Parkway restrictions: RV drivers must avoid New York parkways due to low bridge clearances. "There are height restrictions on the parkways so RVs and semis cannot travel on them without a high risk of crashing into the bridges and getting the tops ripped off like a tin can."
Limited tent options: Many sites near the city primarily accommodate RVs with few tent-only areas. "This is a pricey park, but options are limited. As in almost non existent. This is a prime location for visiting the city or heading down the shore."
Site preparation: Some campgrounds require extra preparation. "There are no fire pits, you must bring your own. Fires are allowed but you must have a fire container or bucket for your fire off of the ground. The sites all have a table and raised BBQ pit for cooking only."
Tips for camping with families
Urban safety: Cheesequake State Park Campground offers kid-friendly trails and lake swimming within 45 minutes of the city. "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."
City access with nature buffer: Select sites that balance urban convenience with natural settings. "We spent 3 nights here last week. I was in NYC for business and we took our RV. Very convenient location. My wife visited Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island."
Alternative accommodations: For families not ready for tent camping, consider cabin options at Collective Governors Island. This site requires a ferry trip from Manhattan and offers fully-equipped accommodations. "The article also mentions the benefits of camping on Governor Island, such as feeling close to nature, relaxing and enjoying a peaceful space, away from the noise of the city."
Tips from RVers
Extended stay planning: RVers looking to maximize their stay should check reservation systems regularly for site availability patterns. "I booked the site for 1 week initially until 11/2. A day ahead of my departure date I decided to just go ahead and extend my stay until the end of the campsite season, Nov 6."
Logistical challenges: Many RV parks in the area are essentially parking lots with hookups. "The 'campground' is nothing special. Literally a parking lot with water & electric hookups. Larger rigs will barely have a yard. And don't bet on a private picnic table."
Space management: RV sites can be extremely tight, especially during peak season. "Sites kind of level and very close. Power and water, and convenient dump station if staying and needing to dump. The bath house was above average and heated."
