Philidelphia

[Retired_VSP]

Planning a trip and will be passing by Philidelphia on the west side .. We are looking for a decent rv park convienant to Philly for a couple of days. We have a motorhome with toad. Does anyone have any suggestions. TIA

[jplante4]

Retired VSP wrote:
Great info....we are actually heading on up to Normandy Farms at Foxborough and hope to visit Cape Cod and do the Freedom Trail in Boston. Thank you very much...very helpful!

Ok if you're headed that way, then here's Jerry's secret route from the TZ Bridge.

Take I-684 to I-84 to I-691 and CT Rt 66 to Middletown. Then take Ct 9 to I-95 in Old Lyme and I-95 to I-195to I-495 north.

[Retired_VSP]

jplante4 wrote:
We stay at Timberlane/South Philly KOA every time we go south. They are open year round but not quite below the "dewinterize" line.

The transient spots are in the front and pull through. Of course now that KOA has taken over, the rates have gone up. But it's about a 30 minute ride to Philly and not much traffic.

Going to Boston, take I-295 to I-195 to I-95 to Woodbridge then pick up the Garden State Parkway. If traffic is not too bad (weekday rush hours are miserable), then stay on the GSP to I-287 and across the Hudson on the Tappan Zee. ($14.75 for a motor home). To miss the GSP, from Woodbridge take the I-287 loop around to the west. Longer distance, shorter time.

After crossing the Hudson, you have a choice. You can take I-287 to I-95 (not recommended) or I-684 to I-84 to I-90. I-84 through Danbury/Watebury CT is miserable and Hartford can also be a problem.

If time isn't a factor, stay on I-87 north to pick up the Mass Pike (I-90) south of Albany.

Great info....we are actually heading on up to Normandy Farms at Foxborough and hope to visit Cape Cod and do the Freedom Trail in Boston. Thank you very much...very helpful!

[jplante4]

We stay at Timberlane/South Philly KOA every time we go south. They are open year round but not quite below the "dewinterize" line.

The transient spots are in the front and pull through. Of course now that KOA has taken over, the rates have gone up. But it's about a 30 minute ride to Philly and not much traffic.

Going to Boston, take I-295 to I-195 to I-95 to Woodbridge then pick up the Garden State Parkway. If traffic is not too bad (weekday rush hours are miserable), then stay on the GSP to I-287 and across the Hudson on the Tappan Zee. ($14.75 for a motor home). To miss the GSP, from Woodbridge take the I-287 loop around to the west. Longer distance, shorter time.

After crossing the Hudson, you have a choice. You can take I-287 to I-95 (not recommended) or I-684 to I-84 to I-90. I-84 through Danbury/Watebury CT is miserable and Hartford can also be a problem.

If time isn't a factor, stay on I-87 north to pick up the Mass Pike (I-90) south of Albany.

[Retired_VSP]

2 Retired wrote:
STEVE B has it right. You NEVER want to travel on I 95 (NJ Turnpike and GW Bridge) if you can avoid it - particularly with an RV. Horrific traffic, narrow lanes, exorbitant tolls - and did I mention the traffic! Garden State Parkway to Tappan Zee Bridge is the ONLY way we go - avoids NYC completely. There can be traffic, and yes, there are tolls, but both are far less 'demanding and stressful' than the other route. Have a fun and safe trip.

Thank you so much...I took a Class c through NYC back in '07 and have driven by car many times in the past.

Picked the Park and Ride..thanks. Also, are there signs from the Tappenzee bridge for I-84 east?

[2_Retired]

STEVE B has it right. You NEVER want to travel on I 95 (NJ Turnpike and GW Bridge) if you can avoid it - particularly with an RV. Horrific traffic, narrow lanes, exorbitant tolls - and did I mention the traffic! Garden State Parkway to Tappan Zee Bridge is the ONLY way we go - avoids NYC completely. There can be traffic, and yes, there are tolls, but both are far less 'demanding and stressful' than the other route. Have a fun and safe trip.

[leggy]

We stayed at timberline before and thinking about trying it again in fall with the new owners. It was quite convenient but when we drove into Philly with just the F350 we were charged based upon our registered weight class. I think$15.

[Y-Guy]

Moved from the Dinghy Towing forum.

[SteveB]

Retired VSP wrote:


Thank you...I was looking at that 9ne too. Just realized it's going to cost 80+ dollars to cross the George Washington Bridge after I leave Philly.. (mh w/toad dual wheels) Guess I'll have to find an alternative route to Boston from Philly...another thread..lol.

Take the Tappanzee to the Garden State Parkway. From there map out the route to Philly. When I go to Lancaster I exit the GSP at 80 but the best part is avoiding NYC.

[Retired_VSP]

2 Retired wrote:
Here's another possibility. Sounds much like Liberty Harbor RV Park in Jersey City, across the river from NYC. Basically a parking lot with W/E hookups with a bathhouse. Nothing special, but as close as you will ever get to 'camping' in Philadelphia! http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/pennsylvania/philadelphia/campus-park-ride-14814

Thank you...I was looking at that 9ne too. Just realized it's going to cost 80+ dollars to cross the George Washington Bridge after I leave Philly.. (mh w/toad dual wheels) Guess I'll have to find an alternative route to Boston from Philly...another thread..lol.

[2_Retired]

Here's another possibility. Sounds much like Liberty Harbor RV Park in Jersey City, across the river from NYC. Basically a parking lot with W/E hookups with a bathhouse. Nothing special, but as close as you will ever get to 'camping' in Philadelphia! http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/pennsylvania/philadelphia/campus-park-ride-14814

[2_Retired]

Know this one is to the southeast of Philly, but it might suit your needs. It used to be Timberline CG but has just joined the KOA group with new ownership. Significant construction going on to upgrade, update and expand. Older sites are typical of many privately owned CGs in Northeast - narrow, tightly packed with narrow interior roads. New sites have addressed this problem. There is public transportation into Philly available for around $6 Round trip. Been there once before the changes. May be the closest (convenient) CG to Philly. http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/new-jersey/clarksboro/philadelphia-south-koa-formerly-timberlane-campground-4201

[jfkmk]

We stayed at the West Chester KOA a couple of years ago. It was about 30 or 40 minutes to Philly. Not a bad place, but it you go there check out the map carefully....some sites were barely a parking spot parrallel to the side of the camp road.

[rk911]

what does 'convenient' mean? we stayed at Brandywine Creek Campground in Lyndell, PA. that was about an EZ 30-40 minute drive into Philly. it also put us in the heart of Amish country about 30-min east of Lancaster, PA. the CG is beautiful and quiet but close to shopping.

one word of advice about parking in Philly. parking enforcement is active and aggressive. believe it if the signs indicate 'No Parking'.