Best Campgrounds near Queens, NY
Camping options surrounding Queens, New York range from urban-adjacent sites to more traditional natural settings within a short drive. Liberty Harbor RV Park in Jersey City offers 90 RV sites with views of the Manhattan skyline and convenient public transit access to New York City attractions. Gateway National Recreation Areas at Staten Island and Sandy Hook provide tent camping with ocean proximity, though Staten Island's location is closed for 2025. Nickerson Beach Park Campground on Long Island offers both tent and RV camping from April to November with beach access, while Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park provides a more traditional woodland camping experience about an hour's drive north of the city.
Reservations are essential for most campgrounds in the region, particularly during summer months when sites fill quickly. New York parkways present navigation challenges for RVs due to height restrictions, requiring alternate routes as noted by campers at Nickerson Beach. Most campgrounds operate seasonally, typically from April through October, with Cheesequake State Park open April 1 to October 31 and Beaver Pond available April 22 to October 9. As one camper observed, "If you live in NYC this is a good, cheap, super quick escape accessible by public transport," though they cautioned that those seeking traditional nature experiences might prefer locations farther from the city. Urban noise is common at sites closer to the city, with airport traffic and highway sounds frequently mentioned in reviews.
Campers consistently note the unique juxtaposition of urban and natural environments at sites near Queens. At Floyd Bennett Field, "You basically park and camp on the asphalt by the old hangars... The campground is located right on Jamaica Bay so there were people fishing all the time from the seawall." Sites within an hour's drive offer more traditional experiences, with Croton Point Park described as having "very private" tent sites and "gorgeous scenery along the river." Amenities vary widely, from the basic facilities at urban locations to more developed campgrounds with showers, picnic tables, and fire rings. Many campers appreciate the convenience of being able to combine outdoor recreation with city attractions, with one noting, "We stayed 1 night in the campground, and the next day went to a recital show that took us 10 minutes to get to."