Horse camping options near Queens, New York remain limited, with no facilities offering dedicated equestrian amenities within the immediate area. Campgrounds within a 50-mile radius primarily serve visitors exploring New York City rather than those traveling with horses. Most available camping locations sit along the New Jersey shore, approximately 1-2 hours from Queens depending on traffic conditions.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Allaire State Park offers varied cycling terrain from paved paths to single track. "Mountain Biking from easy, paved trails to several miles of single track with everything in between. Working village and antique train are available most of the year," notes Beau B. about Allaire State Park.
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park provides archery facilities alongside other outdoor activities. "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," reports Dan W. about his experience at Turkey Swamp Park.
Urban exploration: Access Manhattan via public transportation from nearby campgrounds. "This is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC. It's basically a parking lot with a dump station. Not much else. Two blocks away from NJ Path train into Manhattan or take the ferry to Wall Street!" explains Keith and Tia S.
What campers like
Winter camping options: Some parks remain open year-round for cold-weather camping. "We found this campground one night when we were in NJ. It ended up snowing that night. The bathrooms were clean and warm. There is a lot to do in the area," shares Lisa S. about Allaire State Park.
Spacious wooded sites: Turkey Swamp Park offers well-separated camping areas. "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," describes Katheryn N.
Family-friendly amenities: Campgrounds feature facilities designed for children. "Centralized playground for the kids with bathrooms and showers next door. Staff was awesome! Attentive and outgoing. We really enjoyed our stay," mentions Dan W. about Turkey Swamp Park.
What you should know
Ticks present: Take precautions in wooded areas. "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. That was so crazy because we were just sitting by our camper," warns LAURA Y.
Road noise: Highway proximity affects some sites. "Tent camped July 1st. Clean bathrooms. Sites are a little too close together. Noisy with highway traffic. Well maintained though. Ticks galore," notes Justin S. about Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Limited equestrian facilities: No horse-specific campgrounds exist near Queens. Campers with horses should consider locations further upstate or in Pennsylvania where equestrian camping is more common and dedicated horse facilities are available.
Tips for camping with families
Insect preparation: Bring appropriate repellent based on season. "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!" shares JAEWOOK P.
Beach access option: Consider campgrounds with nearby shore access. "Did a weekend bikepacking trip from New Brunswick to Allaire. Big sites that you can hear the highway from. A really nice bike ride to Ocean Grove and other beach towns," suggests Dan X. about Allaire State Park.
Playground availability: Look for sites near play areas. "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office," notes Lee D. about Turkey Swamp Park's family amenities.
Tips from RVers
City access strategy: Consider transportation options when visiting NYC. "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!" advises Emily L. about Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Water hookup planning: Bring extended hoses for certain sites. "Nice, remote, private. Some sites unlevel. Bring a LONG water hose. Nice lake. Showers and washers and dryers," recommends Shawn about Turkey Swamp Park.
Urban camping expectations: Adjust expectations for metropolitan-adjacent sites. "Glorified Parking Lot. So... 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," explains Ericka T.
