As first timers, we have our 2018 TT on order with delivery no later than April 1st. We're pretty excited and know of several standard campgrounds near us that we wish to go to.However, we also wanted to start looking into family resort style campgrounds within a few hours outside the NYC area.Resorts with a thousand screaming kids, waterpark splash zones, games, arts-n-crafts and outdoor movie nights. You know, the kind of campground that folks without young kids run far, far away from.I only know of the Jellystone parks. Wondering if there are others out there that are similar?Thanks

Brian, The first place you camp should be your driveway. Make sure that everybody understands that this is what you are doing, and a (ie) 4PM, the house will be locked. You can run an extension cord to the trailer, and a water hose if you choose, but that will be home for at least that night. If it is raining, that is even better.As to where to go for your first excursion, I don't have any clue. When I did live in the megopolis (central North Jersey), I tent camped in places like Stoke's State. We now do avoid the places you are looking for, but never fear. I am going to suggest that you get over to:RV Park ReviewsI am sure that what you want will be found in the radius you have proposed. Remember that radius covers a lot of eastern PA, all of NJ, NY south of Poughkeepsie and CT west of New Haven. Why not more?? Because you are towing a new trailer for the first time. You will be a lot slower than you are expecting. Rushing is a great way to never get there. Matt - now camps with grands....

Brian,I forgot to include - Good for you for thinking about this now and not in March. When you decide, you can even make a reservation. But do be careful, many RVparks have really deadly cancellation policies. Be sure you know about then first. Matt

Twin Grove is about 3 hours from NYC. There is also Splash Magic in north central Pa.

This looked like fun. We drove by on our way to a boring KOA :)Do NOT try to get to this park from the west. Real scary road.

Lake George RV Park (Lake George, NY) may be a bit farther than you care to go, but it consistently gets very high marks and rave reviews. I have not camped there myself, so I can't give a first-hand account.In Elysburg, PA there's Knoebels Amusement Park Campground which is not a camping resort per se--the campground is fairly basic and plain, though clean and well-maintained--but it's a literal stone's throw from what I think is one of the nicest and most fun amusement parks around. Knoebels is a free admission amusement park, with either individual tickets or pay-one-price armbands for the rides, so it's quite possible to have a great time there as a family without spending enormous sums of money.I would be tempted to go to Hither Hills state park if I lived in the NYC area. Who needs a waterslide when you have a nice ocean beach?

Family Camping Resorts NY/NJ/CT/PA? | Good Sam Community

mbopp
Explorer
Nov 13, 2017
We stayed at Odetah in CT a few years back. It was just the 2 of us but they had a lot of activities.
docsouce
Explorer II
Nov 13, 2017
Great suggestions here. I especially like the idea of the drive way campout trial night. The KOA Herkimer Diamond campground in Herkimer NY is a great spot. Plenty of activities for everyone. Be sure to make reservations early though.
ACZL
Explorer
Nov 13, 2017
We've been to 3 RV parks in the Lake George area. 4 hours north of NYC on I-87. All 3 have been mentioned already.

1. LG RV Park/Resort: Kiddy pool, adult lounge, little movie room, playhouse where acts come in and perform, paved roads but kinda tight sites, indoor hot tub and pool, couple outdoor pools, big catch/release pond, closest to Rte 9 but traffic can be a nightmare, LG and Great Escape hop skip and jump away.

2. LG Escape: Actually in town of Warrensburg and very kid friendly, tubing rides $ (shuttle), 2 pools, use to have adults swim only like 6-7 or 7-8, nice playground. Haven't been here since 2005

3. Moose Hil Lock: Our favorite place by far in LG area!! Stone roads/sites, sites are H-U-G-E!!, good privacy between sites, better off far away from entrance so as to avoid all the traffic and dust, PLUS it's a lot quieter. Huge pool (heated) w/ like a Hawaiian them backdrop w/ 2 slides. Large pavilion where acts play, golf cart rental$$$. Not too far away from LG or Glens Falls/Queensbury and can take side roads to avoid Rte 9 traffic. We like it the best just on account of site space/privateness.

Wherever you go here, plan on at least 75-100 bucks/nite for full hook-ups.
temccarthy1
Explorer
Nov 13, 2017
brianosaur wrote:
As first timers, we have our 2018 TT on order with delivery no later than April 1st. We're pretty excited and know of several standard campgrounds near us that we wish to go to.

However, we also wanted to start looking into family resort style campgrounds within a few hours outside the NYC area.

Resorts with a thousand screaming kids, waterpark splash zones, games, arts-n-crafts and outdoor movie nights. You know, the kind of campground that folks without young kids run far, far away from.

I only know of the Jellystone parks. Wondering if there are others out there that are similar?

Thanks

#1 rated cg in NJ is Holly Shores Resort CG in Cape May NJ! We have been going there for 35 years. It is 10 minutes from both the famous Wildwood wide, clean and FREE beaches and the Boardwalk which has 4 huge amusement piers. It is also 10 minutes from Cape May beaches. There is an amazing zoo in Cape May which is also beautiful and FREE! The Resort is clean, full of kid planned activities, hayrides, huge pool, shaded sites all full hookup, clean restrooms, big camp store. It is not cheap but well worth it! Very busy in July and Auguest. You would need to make reservations NOW!
Trust me, it will fit the bill of what you say you are looking for. Check it out on line!
mikhen
Explorer
Oct 20, 2017
ependydad wrote:

Getting into Pennsylvania opens up a handful more options.

And higher prices.
ependydad
Explorer
Oct 19, 2017
Maybe consider a Thousand Trails membership- then you have access to Lake & Shore and Sea Pines in southern Jersey.

Getting into Pennsylvania opens up a handful more options.
LindaD
Explorer
Oct 17, 2017
Twin Grove RV Resort Pine Grove PA - Strawberry Park Preston CT - Spring Gulch New Holland PA - Lake George RV Park Lake George NY - Normandy Farms Foxboro MA
mdcamping
Explorer
Oct 12, 2017
Check out Watkins Glen/Corning Koa, NY
Odetah in Bozrah, Ct

Both are loaded with resort style amenities!

Check out the reviews on Rv parkreviews.com

Mike
Padlin
Explorer
Oct 12, 2017
We don't do many "family" resorts, but have taken the grand kids to Seaport RV just outside Mystic CT and Pine Acres in Oakham MA. Much more to do in the area of Mystic of course, newer park, a lot for kids to do in the campground. Pine Acres has a lake, excellent pool, scheduled activities to keep the kids busy, but not much in the surrounding area. Both were great for kids. Pine Acres is probably the better of the 2 for adults, very well kept up.

I hear Normandy Farms up near Plymouth and Boston is even better for kids. Unfortunately it's very hard to get into, I gave up.

All of these are $$$-$$$$, and should be 2-3 hours from NYC, maybe a bit less to Mystic.
Beer_Belly
Explorer
Oct 12, 2017
brianosaur wrote:
As first timers, we have our 2018 TT on order with delivery no later than April 1st. We're pretty excited and know of several standard campgrounds near us that we wish to go to.

However, we also wanted to start looking into family resort style campgrounds within a few hours outside the NYC area.

Resorts with a thousand screaming kids, waterpark splash zones, games, arts-n-crafts and outdoor movie nights. You know, the kind of campground that folks without young kids run far, far away from.

I only know of the Jellystone parks. Wondering if there are others out there that are similar?

Thanks

Being you metioned Jellystone Parks......you totally described this one ( http://www.lazyriverny.com/ )....there is also a KOA nearby ( https://koa.com/campgrounds/newburgh/ ) , but this Jellystone is much better for the kiddies.