Camping near New York City, NY

The Statue of Liberty as seen from Liberty Harbor RV Park

Suppose you’d like to spend a few days, a weekend, or even a week or two visiting the Big Apple but you really don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a hotel. Here’s how to camp near New York City for a fraction of the cost. Liberty Harbor RV Park is the closest RV Park to New York City, located just across the Hudson River, in Jersey City, NJ. The campground is open year round and getting into the City couldn’t be easier because the PATH subway station is 5 blocks away, NJ Light Rail is 1 block away, and the NY Waterway Ferry runs from Liberty Harbor to Pier 11 Monday to Friday.

Liberty Harbor RV Park.

Liberty Harbor RV Park is located in Jersey City, NJ, adjacent to Liberty State Park. You can see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from your camping site. Decide when you want to go and make a reservation by calling Liberty Harbor RV Park: 800-646-2066 or 201-386-7500.

  Public transportation is within easy walking distance.

When you’re ready to travel into New York City, you have your choice of walking 1 block to the NJ Light Rail station, 5 blocks to the PATH subway station, or to the end of the pier to catch the NY Waterway Ferry to Pier 11 at the foot of Wall Street.

  Gray Line Bus Tours.

If you’d rather take a tour bus around the city, the bus will pick you up at the RV Park and take you into Manhattan. Gray Line Bus Tours are an excellent way to travel around and learn about New York City and there are several tour packages available.

  Circle Line Cruise.

Another good way to see New York City is from the water, and Circle Line Cruise has 1- ½ hour, 2 hour, and 3 hour cruises available. The 3 hour cruise circumnavigates Manhattan Island offering excellent views of the city, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island.

  The Empire State Building.

There are landmarks everywhere in New York City including the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, Trump tower, Central Park, and Wall Street.

  Macy's

Maybe you want to do some shopping. There are excellent shops, boutiques and stores in New York City including Saks 5th Avenue and Macy’s.

Radio City Music Hall.

If you want to take in a show, there are plenty to choose from around the city, including Broadway and Radio City Music Hall productions.

  The new Yankee Stadium.

How about a sporting event? Take in a hockey game or basketball at Madison Square Garden or catch the subway over to the Bronx to see the Yankees at their new stadium.

  Times Square.

After the sun sets there's plenty of nightlife around to satisfy anyone. A trip to Time's Square after dark is an adventure in modern technology and lighting. And no matter if you end your day early in the evening or early the next morning, the best part is, your home away from home awaits you across the Hudson at the Liberty Harbor RV Park.

Tips & Warnings

• Not only are Gray Line Bus Tours a good way to see the city but the buses run all day and evening and you can get off the bus anywhere it stops and then catch another bus later.
• Decide when you want to go and make your reservations eary because sites are limited at the RV Park and they fill up fast especially in the warmer months of the year.
• Please be advised that on Friday and Saturday nights, The Sandbar Nightclub runs events with special guest performers. The nightclub operates until 2:30 AM and music can be overheard in the RV Parking Area.

All photographs by Craig Dresser