Hi everyone,I'm new to the forum. I had a question.... Me and my family will be towing our travel trailer to DC in June. We want to take a few days and go to NYC as well, but there doesn't appear to be any sites in NYC except one. Then, there are tons of sites in NJ, etc. that are at least 1.5 hours away. Any ideas of a good site that is close to a rail transport to take us into NYC but is also a decent campground? I'm not familiar with the area, so any help or input is appreciated. Thanks.

you can do a search on this forum, type in nyc in the search box, be sure to check the search only in parks and you should gets lots of information. this is a common topic and there are 2 or 3 favorite places with discussion abt the differences. New Jersy and Conn. are close to NY so you may find those places reccomended.

Trouble is, there aren't many CGs in the NYC area, as you noted.The one in Jersey City is probably the most popular, though it sure isn't much of a Campground...more of a Parking Lot with hook-ups. Still, if you are going to see NYC, it's the best place to stay, as it's so close, and has easy access to public transportation.There may be other places up near Newburg/West Point in NY, where you could take the train down to the City, but since you would probably be spending the entire day in the city, why waste the time traveling on the train.I understand that there is also Dry Camping at Floyd Bennett Field over in Brooklyn, which you can catch a bus & train into Manhattan, but if it was me, I'd be in Jersey City...worth the extra money.Check www.rvparkreviews.com for access to what is in the area....or at least, what has been reviewed by other campers.

Liberty rv park Nj is the place to stay real safe Easy access to transit into penn station or you can take the ferry

x2 for Liberty Harbor. You are across the river from Manhattan and a ten minute ride on a PATH train (subway from NJ to NY) will get you to NYC faster than anything else. The PATH station is walking distance from the campground. Once across the river you can change to an NYC subway. bus, or walk to all attractions.Forget Floyd Bennett Field. You do not want to take your RV or trailer on the city streets through Brooklyn from the interstate (495) on the north shore to get down to Floyd Bennett Field on the south shore. The streets are busy, tight, full of traffic and parts are what is considered in some sections of the country as "inner city". I have lived here all my life and would not attempt to do this in a trailer or RV. I am not sure what the NPS was thinking when they put camping sites in FBF with no limited access route that an RV or trailer is allowed to drive on anywhere near it.

Thanks for the replies! My only hesitation for Liberty Harbor was worry that the traffic would be really tight getting in and out (I'm thinking NYC traffic) or is it outside the main city enough that it's easy to get in/out?

Decent RV Park near NYC? | Good Sam Community

michelb
Explorer
Jun 10, 2013
If you want another option, we'll be staying at a County Park in Long Island (Suffolk County). I believe it's about a 45min to 1hr train ride into NYC but my kids are actually really looking forward to that so it's not a huge issue for us. There are quite a few options on Long Island.
RockyRoadCamper
Explorer
Jun 10, 2013
Yes, Liberty harbor the way to go.
D___M
Explorer
Jun 10, 2013
You don't want to drive into NYC. It's costly, and not a place for pilgrims. You need to stay on the Jersey side and take mass transit.

Liberty Harbor is best bet. Geting there is not a problem, traffic wise. You have your choice of the PATH train (about 5 blocks up Mairn Blvd.), or during the week you can hop on the communter ferry that docks right across the parking lot from your RV.
Wishbone51
Explorer
Jun 09, 2013
We really liked Black Bear campground... Nice facility and nice staff

https://blackbearcampground.com/

About 45min away from NYC... Or a 15 minute drive to the train to Manhattan. My wife drove our truck in Manahattan... and drove like a local. We're from a small town in Oregon where people drive nicely :) She did rather well. :)
GateMaster97
Explorer
Jun 09, 2013
Jaybird wrote:
Park in Washington, DC and take Amrtak, best of both worlds

Interesting thought on Amtrak from DC. I'm actually going to be in Washington DC for a few days before making the trek to NYC. How long is the Amtrak ride to NYC and could it be done in a day (leave early morning and come back late evening)? If so, that would be much easier as I could stay in the park I'm already scheduled at for DC without moving and driving 3 hours north....
Jaybird
Explorer
May 31, 2013
Park in Washington, DC and take Amrtak, best of both worlds
RockyRoadCamper
Explorer
May 29, 2013
Liberty Harbor is not that hard to reach after you have driven to it a few times.

Do not drive there during peak traffic hours in the morning. We usually drive in mid morning on a Monday. Sunday afternoon could be terrible because of the crowds coming back into town from the Jersey shore.
slay
Explorer II
May 28, 2013
Liberty Harbor is closest and most convenient for seeing New York. But it is in a congested corner of the state. When did you intend to arrive? The best time would probably be Sunday morning. You might consider spending Saturday night in the Poconos of eastern Pa. or the Allentown, Pa., area depending on your route east and drive to Jersey City in the morning. Ask Liberty Harbor how early you can arrive on a Sunday.
GateMaster97
Explorer
May 28, 2013
Thanks, great information... Liberty Harbor sounds like a good plan.
1775
Explorer
May 28, 2013
New Jersey is not Manhattan though Liberty Harbor is in an urban area. Look at the location on Google Maps with satellite view turned on and you will see exactly what it will be to get in and out of the campground. The advantage here is the location and its fast access to NYC. In any of the campgrounds Upstate along the Hudson, you can spend your day on a commuter train at a very high cost per ride and hope it is not delayed that day as they frequently are or you can stay right outside NYC and spend the majority of your day sightseeing in NYC rather than traveling to get there and back.