We're a family of 4 (2 boys 10+12) and a dog. We are in the planning phase of a 3 week week trip of northeast US in August. I know we're late to plan but I'm waiting to confirm my work schedule. We've mapped out a rough route leaving from London Ontario, through Buffalo, Washington DC, NYC, Providence, Boston and return (not enough time for Maine this time). Gettysburg and the Smithsonian are on the list of things to see as well as Central Park. We prefer state parks but are open to anything. We're having trouble finding campgrounds with availability that are close to, but outside, the cities that will fit our tt (35') and accept dogs. We'll also need to find a kennel for the days we are exploring the cities.Here is what we have so far but are looking for suggestions for campgrounds and attractions along the way. Any input appreciated.https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Lucan+Biddulph,+ON/Allegany+State+Park,+Cattaraugus+County,+NY,+United+States/Pine+Grove+Furnace+State+Park,+Pine+Grove+Road,+Gardners,+PA,+United+States/Burke+Lake+Park,+Fairfax+Station,+VA,+United+States/Harriman+State+Park,+Bear+Mountain,+NY,+United+States/Newport,+RI,+United+States/Winter+Island+Park,+Winter+Island+Road,+Salem,+MA,+United+States/Green+Mountain+National+Forest,+Rutland+County,+VT,+United+States/Lucan+Biddulph,+ON/@40.9843924,-78.4795875,7z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m56!4m55!1m5!1m1!1s0x882ec330960f164b:0x5927c2802f6e3597!2m2!1d-81.3619402!2d43.215177!1m5!1m1!1s0x89d282d924cadc0b:0x5db5b19249184740!2m2!1d-78.834816!2d42.014367!1m5!1m1!1s0x89c9040be7bd2de7:0x8610fc9095d8d02b!2m2!1d-77.296605!2d40.031115!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b651902b9522d5:0x861150ee18ecf6ae!2m2!1d-77.301629!2d38.760835!1m5!1m1!1s0x89c2db73367085c7:0x44c6bdc57c4a8832!2m2!1d-74.078908!2d41.29232!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e5bab70509976b:0xce5e96f72c2f6f21!2m2!1d-71.3128285!2d41.4901024!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e314485004b955:0x2fe55effa7558ff9!2m2!1d-70.869181!2d42.52668!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e03f233080ae9d:0xd7d7af3973f1357f!2m2!1d-72.993297!2d43.044141!1m5!1m1!1s0x882ec330960f164b:0x5927c2802f6e3597!2m2!1d-81.3619402!2d43.215177!3e0

One possibility for a NYC base camp, if a state park isn't available, is the Newburgh NY KOA. Some sites are almost state park-like; we had a FHU pullthrough that was wooded & private on both sides of the camper, but still had plenty of room for our 34' TT and TV. We really liked this CG - one of the nicest KOAs we've stayed in. They offer bus tours (extra cost of course) to the city from there, so you don't have to worry about where to park your TV or toad, plus there are some neat Revolutionary War history sites right in town.

Well from our experience visiting Boston in July, I can say it will be darned hot walking around. You should add a day at Concord/Lexington if you haven't already. We stayed at Wompatuk State Park (don't trust that spelling) and caught the ferry over to Boston. We left the truck at the ferry terminal. Nice boat ride. That park was hard to find, they don't seem to believe in signs and I think we drove around three sides of it before finding the entrance. Nice park tho, it was quiet and seemed to be safe. We visited DC during that trip and it was also hotter than heck... We did spent maybe three days on the National Mall looking at the museums and monuments and another day at the Air and Space annex at the airport. Seems like just about everyone stays at Cherry Hill rv park in Maryland. Its a very big gated park that has a direct bus route to the subway station. They have just about everything at the park, it wouldn't surprise me if they have a kennel. You can catch a ride directly to the Mall from there. The drive to the Air and Space annex was no fun the day we went to that. All those people who worry about driving thru Atlanta should spend a day in DC traffic, they would never complain about Atlanta again.

Ditto Newburgh NY KOA. If you don't want to drive into NYC they have the bus tour that leaves from the campground.

If you are coming down from Buffalo, check in at one of the Campgrounds in Watkins Glen area, by Seneca Lake. Nice State park to stay at right there - but also a KOA with indoor pool. Corning NY is right next door, and the Corning Museum is worth a stop. Check here for info on the area.For Washington DC, we really like staying at Cherry Hill Campground in College Park, MD. They are just putting in a water park too from what I've read. Close to the metro into DC.Salem is not far from Boston. We've actually stayed in Salem and then just drove 20-30 mins to Boston Harbor area. I actually preferred Salem to Boston - less crowded it seemed - but that might just be me.Whatever you do - sounds like a great trip your guys will remember. Enjoy!

We spent a week in Mystic CT doing the Seaport and Aquarium staying at the Seaport Campground. There is a train from near by New London CT into NYC (1:15 hour to Penn Station)and Ferries out to Block Island and the North fork of Long Island.

Need help planning NE US trip | Good Sam Community

moonstone
Explorer
Jul 31, 2015
+1 for Wompatuck State Park. (http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-south/wompatuck-state-park.html ) outside of Boston. We spent a week there a few years ago - very handy to get into Boston. We drove to the closest commuter train (info at park ofc) & took it into the city daily.

In NY state we like Letchworth State park which is often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the east. Pets are allowed on 1 or 2 of the loops. Use the map to find a site that backs onto the canyon (fenced).

Both of those parks are booked easily through http://www.reserveamerica.com/

Have a great trip!
badercubed
Explorer
Jul 28, 2015
Letchworth was a great choice. Be safe and check out the south end of the park in Portageville.
camp-n-family
Explorer
Jul 25, 2015
Wrapping up a week long stay at KOA Newburgh, NY. It's been great. Did the NYC tour and had the front office watch FIDO. Couldn't have worked out better. Lots of shade, places to walk, secure, regularly patrolled by Newburgh police, perfect.

Thanks for the info. We are going to stay there for 3 nights and have booked the NYC tour too. We also found someone there who will let the dog out a few times. Didn't realize the front office people would do that.

To update the rest of the trip we have cut out a few places to shorten the route. We wanted to be able to spend a few more days in each place. We booked Letchworth SP, RH Treman SP, Newburgh KOA, Cherry hill outside Washington, Drummerboy Camp resort in Gettysburgh and Alleghany SP on the way home.

Thanks to all for the input.
Crowe
Explorer
Jul 24, 2015
Weird??? The right of way is determined by the age of your vehicle... Or how willing you are to damage it!

We use size. Sometimes we'll take the pick-up into the city just for sport!

I can handle the drivers but not the ridiculous road system.

Just adds to the fun! :B

Salem is a great place to explore. For me it would just depend on what interested me more. If you only have one day you can't do both.
egrove
Explorer
Jul 24, 2015
Pine Grove Furnace is a nice state park, we go there regularly, but it is small and tight, and a pretty good drive to Gettysburg. There are lots of nice private campgrounds right in and around Gettysburg that would be much more convenient to visit that area. But if you are set on a state park, check out Codorus State Park near Hanover. Probably closer to Gettysburg, and it is much larger and easier to navigate than Pine Grove Furnace.
herkybc130
Explorer
Jul 24, 2015
Wrapping up a week long stay at KOA Newburgh, NY. It's been great. Did the NYC tour and had the front office watch FIDO. Couldn't have worked out better. Lots of shade, places to walk, secure, regularly patrolled by Newburgh police, perfect.
RoadAbode
Explorer
Jan 13, 2015
Salem is definitely lots of fun -
This is what our site at Winter Island was like.

And a post I wrote and my daughter wrote Salem Visit
camp-n-family
Explorer
Jan 11, 2015
Great info so far, keep it coming.

Cherry Hill was on our short list, as was the KOA outside NYC. Good to see they have great reviews and easy access to the city. We were also considering Salem over Boston. I have no intention hauling through Boston. Been there, done that. Has to be one of the worst cities to drive in. I can handle the drivers but not the ridiculous road system.
Jframpey
Explorer
Jan 11, 2015
kknowlton wrote:
x2 on driving in Boston. The public transportation is so good anyway, there's no need to, but Bostonians are arguably the weirdest drivers...

Weird??? The right of way is determined by the age of your vehicle... Or how willing you are to damage it!
NCWriter
Explorer
Jan 10, 2015
agesilaus wrote:

We visited DC during that trip and it was also hotter than heck... We did spent maybe three days on the National Mall looking at the museums and monuments and another day at the Air and Space annex at the airport. Seems like just about everyone stays at Cherry Hill rv park in Maryland. Its a very big gated park that has a direct bus route to the subway station. They have just about everything at the park, it wouldn't surprise me if they have a kennel.
.

I don't recall one, but I do have a memory that there is a private dog walking/sitting service, apparently well established and utilized, that posts info at the park with their blessing, and arranges with owners to keep an eye on Fido if family is gone all day.

We stayed at Cherry Hill last July and they get an A+ for their briefing and info packet for visitors planning to tour DC. They also have good food and ice cream at their little grill in the clubhouse building used for the briefings, huge laundromat, pools, etc. We really liked the place.

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