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Best Campgrounds near Inwood, NY

302 Reviews

Camping options near Inwood, New York range from urban-adjacent sites to more traditional woodland settings within a short drive of the city. The area includes several established campgrounds like Nickerson Beach Park Campground in Lido Beach and Liberty Harbor RV Park in Jersey City, offering varying levels of amenities. Harriman State Park's Beaver Pond Campground, located about an hour north of the city, provides a more natural camping experience with tent and RV sites. Unique accommodations can also be found at Collective Governors Island, which features cabins, glamping options, and yurts accessible by boat from Manhattan.

Access to campgrounds in the metropolitan area requires careful planning, particularly for RV travelers. Several campers note that navigating to sites with larger vehicles can be challenging due to parkway restrictions. As one visitor explained, "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." Most developed campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from April through October or November, with Beaver Pond Campground at Harriman State Park open from April to early October and Nickerson Beach operating April through November.

Campers consistently highlight the unique juxtaposition of natural settings against the backdrop of New York City. Gateway National Recreation Area campgrounds offer surprising seclusion despite their proximity to urban areas. According to one visitor, "Camp Gateway is one of my favorite places to go when I want to get away from the busy city! It's in such a great location because it's close to the city yet seems so far away." For those seeking more traditional woodland camping, Harriman State Park receives positive reviews for its amenities and accessibility. Several reviewers mention wildlife encounters, including bears, so proper food storage is essential. Campgrounds closer to beaches, such as Watch Hill on Fire Island, provide oceanfront experiences but come with warnings about mosquitoes and limited shower facilities.

Map showing campgrounds near Inwood, New YorkExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Inwood, New York (43)

    1. Nickerson Beach Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    Long Beach, NY
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (516) 571-7700

    "It’s basically a parking lot, but it’s steps away from some of the greatest waves on the east coast. Showers are clean, there’s a dog park nearby, and the island is very bikable to get around."

    "Very close to everything."

    2. Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area

    19 Reviews
    Atlantic Highlands, NJ
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (347) 630-1124

    $30 - $50 / night

    "Boat from New York City."

    "Once you are there, you can walk right across the street to a bayside inlet and sandy shore that is not highly trafficked because no one can park there except those using the campground."

    3. Liberty Harbor RV Park

    15 Reviews
    Jersey City, NJ
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (201) 516-7500

    $145 - $180 / night

    "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."

    "Very easy to hop on transit to get to New York City. People were friendly."

    4. Collective Governors Island

    6 Reviews
    Jersey City, NJ
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 445-2033

    $529 - $1200 / night

    "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."

    5. Staten Island — Gateway National Recreation Area - CLOSED for 2025

    4 Reviews
    Bayonne, NJ
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (718) 354-4655

    $30 / night

    "You have a clear view of the Narrow bridge and at night the city lights light up your surroundings light a nigh light. The camp here has 7 campsites here and it fill up really fast."

    "this place is awesome when it comes to finding an affordable place to stay while in NY, this camp ground isnt your usual forest camp sites, however there are some beautiful views, and it is located in"

    6. Skyline RV Camp - Waterfront

    1 Review
    New York, NY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (347) 434-6891

    $130 / night

    "A little intimidating driving in to a nondescript gate at the end of a narrow street but the overall experience exceeded expectation."

    7. Battle Row Campground

    4 Reviews
    Old Bethpage, NY
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (516) 572-8690

    $5 - $60 / night

    "You can take bike rides , and relax outside with a nice amount of space to yourself ."

    8. Skyline RV Camp - Non-Waterfront

    2 Reviews
    New York City, NY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (347) 434-6891

    $85 - $120 / night

    9. Cheesequake State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Matawan, NJ
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (732) 566-2161

    $200 / night

    "I stayed at Cheesequake at the beginning of August and had a very positive experience."

    "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."

    10. Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, NY

    Be the first to review!
    Queens, NY
    8 miles
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Recent Camping Photos near Inwood, NY

111 Photos of 43 Inwood Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Inwood, NY

302 Reviews of 43 Inwood Campgrounds

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2025

    Skyline RV Camp - Waterfront

    Waterfront Skyline Views, Clean Bathrooms

    A little intimidating driving in to a nondescript gate at the end of a narrow street but the overall experience exceeded expectation. 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. 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). During the day, I saw another RV patron walking to do their laundry just outside the complex on the next street over (I didn’t ask where exactly). On-site bathrooms were warm and clean. There were portable showers available but beware the broken shower head holders and lack of shelving/hooks for towels & clothing. This was a minor issue considering the convenience of RV accommodations so easily accessible within the NYC region, would definitely recommend. I couldn’t find a map prior to my booking but would suggest requesting the highest number site available for best direct views.

  • S
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Turkey Swamp Park

    Private wooded sites

    Nice, remote, private. Some sites unlevel. Bring a LONG water hose. Nice lake. Showers and washers and dryers.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Liberty Harbor RV Park

    Functional with excellent access to the City

    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! Plus you can see the Statue of Liberty from there!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Liberty Harbor RV Park

    friendly staff at the office

    Gave us a welcome folder with lots of helpful info, can walk to get food up the street, short drive to Liberty Park where we got out and walked at night to admire the city skyline and Statue of Liberty at night. They have hook ups and big laundry room.

  • J
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Turkey Swamp Park

    Fantastic camping ground

    We went camping with our 2- and 3-year-old kids. We were worried about bugs, but we didn’t even use mosquito repellent and didn’t get a single bite! The campground was super clean too. It was perfect!

  • Paul K.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Croton Point Park

    Not the Best Place to Go in the Northeast By a Longshot

    Croton Point Campground is a modest little campground, located along the Hudson River within Croton Point Park in NY. In addition to camping, the park itself offers many of its own attractions, including swimming, hiking, kayaking, cabin rentals, and a host of other family-oriented activities just along the Hudson. 

    The park, which is honestly probably the largest attraction here, is located just an hour and a half outside of the city. This proximity is both its perk and its downfall, as the park itself, but particularly the campground, has become laden with all sorts of inexplicable and burdensome rules, endless guidelines, and restrictions only a New York State-run bureaucracy could ever make sense of, let alone hope to justify. 

    This includes all manner of restrictions on how you can camp, where you can camp, what equipment can be used, and use in relation to what particular site you may have been lucky enough to reserve. Much of this you can understand while imagining what may have taken place here to bring them to such measures, but it doesn't make it any easier to contend with. 

    In terms of the actual camping conditions Both the tenting section and RV sites are each very clustered together, and quite crowded, with regular patrols🚓(actual patrols) being made day and night, by both the Park Rangers and what appears to be general park staff members, all looking to see if you or your family might be doing something that they might consider outside of the guidelines or not in compliance with the many restrictions. 

    This is not to say you can't possibly have a good time here. It just might mean being a bit more diligent toward reviewing the potential legitimacy of your normal camping routine to ensure it meets with many restrictions and guidelines imposed, while also making yourself comfortable with some fairly regular surveillance during your stay here. These all being things we hoped to get away from while camping ourselves It just turned out to be a bit much for our particular liking.

  • Howard P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2025

    Adventure Bound Camping (Tall Pines)

    Beautiful and family oriented

    My wife and I, residing near the Commodore Barry, sought a brief respite. Our thirteen-year-old son was unable to join us, so we proceeded without him. We secured site 53, a deluxe site offering ample space for our 29VBUD and Ram. The site was level and meticulously maintained, as were the dirt roads. The atmosphere was tranquil and relaxing. Numerous children and abundant activities kept them engaged. Our son truly missed a delightful experience. We departed on Sunday, but the serene ambiance almost prompted us to extend our stay. The sounds of families creating memories enhanced our enjoyment. We certainly plan to return when our grandson is older.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 5, 2025

    Turkey Swamp Park

    Turkey Swamp State Park Campground

    Great campground! 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. The bathrooms and showers are clean and well maintained. There is pretty lake with good fishing and they sell bait at the Ranger office. There are lots of trails and the packed dirt roads are nice for bike riding. There are playgrounds and picnic areas as well. This is a lovely campground.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 8, 2025

    Heckscher State Park Campground

    My favorite place for group camping

    This place is the best around for group and family camping. The entire campground is one flat open space where some sites are full in the shade and other sites (lower numbers) have lots of sun. I've been going here every summer since 2019 after it re-opened. Each site has a picnic table and grill. Water is also available near the sites.

    You can come here in tents as well as RVs and the staff is very nice. They toilets are cleaned constantly, though they are not immaculate. There is a shop at the entrance to get supplies if you need it and you can rent firepits and buy firewood. The ice cream trucks comes by as well. There is a playground just for the campground.

    Bring a bicycle or scooper and you can ride the loop around to the beach; you can also drive to the beach. There is a pool, but it has not been open for many years. There are also hiking trails and a place where you can rent a kayak.

    On one visit there was a magician performing for the camp goers. I've even been there while there was a philharmonic concert near the campground.

    Park staff and rangers regularly patrol the campground and are diligent about cleaning up.

Guide to Inwood

Camping near Inwood, New York, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different needs.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Harriman State Park - Beaver Pond. One camper mentioned, "Going for a hike here in the morning before heading out" is a great way to start the day.
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing at Round Valley State Park Campground. A reviewer noted, "The water was clean and provided a lovely view in the morning."
  • Beach Access: Spend a day at the beach near Wildwood State Park Campground. One visitor said, "The beach is in walking distance, and you can swim or fish there."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the clean bathrooms and showers at Clarence Fahnestock State Park. A reviewer mentioned, "The bathroom and shower facilities are regularly cleaned."
  • Secluded Sites: Many enjoy the privacy offered at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation. One camper said, "The sites are spaced well and have a nice bonus of large fire rings set back in the woods."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Turkey Swamp Park offer a peaceful environment. A visitor shared, "It was quiet, and the one family I met was so kind."

What you should know

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. A camper at Wildwood State Park Campground noted, "The crowd stayed awake playing music all night very loudly."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For example, Round Valley State Park Campground lacks showers and toilets, which some campers found inconvenient.
  • Booking in Advance: Popular spots like Great Divide Campground can fill up quickly. A reviewer mentioned, "As this campground becomes more popular, it is harder to book a site."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Turkey Swamp Park that have playgrounds and activities. A camper said, "Wooded sites, restrooms with showers clean and well stocked."
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Be mindful of noise during quiet hours. A visitor at Beaver Pond Campground mentioned, "When I plan my trip around the spring, fall, or summer weekends that look sparse, it is quiet."
  • Pack Snacks and Games: Keep kids entertained with snacks and games. One camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park noted, "There are cute trails for easy strolls around a pond."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation mentioned, "Careful which site you choose."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Campgrounds like Great Divide Campground offer full hookups, which can make your stay more comfortable. A camper said, "The RV sites were all full hookup on our loop."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Cell Service: Some areas may have poor cell reception. A visitor at Clarence Fahnestock State Park noted, "Cell Service (AT&T): 3 to 4 bars."

Camping near Inwood, New York, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet retreat. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is overnight parking allowed in Inwood public areas?

Overnight parking or sleeping in vehicles is not permitted in Inwood public areas, including Inwood Hill Park. New York City generally prohibits overnight parking in parks and recreational areas. For RV accommodations near Manhattan, Liberty Harbor RV Park in Jersey City is one of the closest options, offering convenient transit access to NYC. Alternatively, Croton Point Park along the Hudson River provides legal overnight RV parking with proper campground registration. Always check current regulations as NYC parking rules are strictly enforced with potential fines for violations.

What amenities are available for campers in Inwood?

While Inwood itself has limited camping infrastructure, nearby camping destinations offer various amenities. Sandy Hook at Gateway National Recreation Area provides fire pits, ocean access with lifeguards, and good fishing opportunities, all accessible by boat from NYC. For a more traditional camping experience with facilities, Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park offers affordable camping with basic amenities like water access and toilets. Campers in the Inwood area can enjoy local park facilities during daytime including hiking trails, restrooms, and picnic areas, but should plan to camp at established campgrounds outside Manhattan for overnight stays.

What camping options are available at Inwood Hill Park?

Inwood Hill Park itself does not offer designated camping facilities. For camping options near Inwood, consider Collective Governors Island, accessible by ferry with tent accommodations and modern amenities. Another option is Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, which provides an urban camping experience with basic facilities while still being accessible from Manhattan. Both locations require reservations in advance, especially during peak season (May-September). For those willing to travel a bit further, several state parks within 1-2 hours of NYC offer more traditional camping experiences.

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