The past year has inspired a lot of families to load everybody into an RV and hit the road. Are you RV curious? We found RV sites near NYC where you can pull up, hook up and chill out. Some parks are super kid-friendly with tons of activities and facilities for little ones, others are more about taking in nature in a more remote spot. (Still: most have wifi.) Read on to see the best places for RV camping with kids near New York City!
Hudson Valley, Dutchess County : Mirror Lake Retreat
Located in the Hudson Valley about two hours from NYC, Mirror Lake was founded in 1966, but has been updated for today's campers. On site activities include boating, hiking, Gaga, archery, axe-throwing, movie night, bonfires and much more! Area attractions include the Culinary Institute of America, the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, lots of hiking trails in state parks, the Vanderbilt Mansion and the Hyde Park Drive-in a RV sites come with a picnic table and fire pit and start at $60/night. You can also rent a fully-equipped RV for $185.
64 White Dr.
Milan, NY
845-758-8764
Online: mirrorlakeretreat.org
The Catskills, Lake George: Lake George RV Park
Lake George is a hopping place for family vacations, so between this RV park and the area itself, you'll never run out of things to do! At the park, there's every kind of sport (including pickleball!), indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, a small waterpark, pool tables and gaming lodge, a pond for fishing, paved bike trails, etc., etc. (The bike trails connect to the town bike trails if you can't get enough.) There's programming galore here, and when you want to leave, attractions include Great Escape and Splashwater
Kingdom, the Painted Pony Championship Rodeo, wineries, outlets, and more. You can even hop a trolley to go into Lake George Village. Another bonus: the mascot for this place is a giant marshmallow!
74 State Route 149
Lake George, NY
518-792-3775
Online: lakegeorgervpark.com
Sussex County, NJ : The Great Divide Campground
The Great Divide is about as family-friendly as you can get, with a schedule of activities, an Olympic-size pool, communal fire pits, a pavilion and lots of kids running around. They'll even deliver ice and firewood to your camp site. (You can glamp in a cabin here, or camp in a tent, too.) Not too far from NYC, it's also near the Delaware Water Gap and Harriman State Park.
68 Philips Rd.
Newton, NJ
973-383-4076
Online: campthegreatdivide.com
Finger Lakes: Letchworth State Park
One of our favorite state parks on New York, Letchworth State Park, near the Finger Lakes region of the state is known as the "Grand Canyon of the East" thanks to its deep ravines and high cliffs. And on this coast, you get waterfalls, too. Its a stunning park with miles of hiking trails, a nature center, pool, and on site historic inn and restaurant. It's dog-friendly (max two pets) and you can drive in and pitch camp for as little as $27. See full camping rules for 2021 here.
One Letchworth State Park
Castile, NY
1-800-456-2267
Online: newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com
Lancaster County: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park
For an RV camp with a theme park flair, head to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park. Located on 63 acres in Quarryville, Pennsylvania (and next to a 100-acre county park), Jellystone is packed with activities to keep the kids busy. In addition to the Yogi Bear Water Zone water park and pools, jumping pillows, mini golf, fishing and sports of all kinds, the park offers diversions like escape rooms, lazer tag, gem mining, an arcade, a scavenger hunt and more. (Some activities require an extra fee.) Plus: every week has a theme (Color Wars, Wildlife Weekend, Christmas in July) with special programming. You can see 2021's themes here. Need more? You're in Amish Country, Hershey Park and Strasberg Railroad are close by, to name just a few out-of-park excursions. The season runs from April 8 – November 7, with peak season June 11 – August 22. (Some activities may only be available during peak season.) RV sites start at $54 a night, and most are dog-friendly.
340 Blackburn Rd.
717-610-4505
Quarryville, PA
Online: jellystonepa.com
Norfolk County, MA: Normandy Farms Family Camping Resort
Located conveniently between Boston and Cape Cod (but in a quiet woodland setting), Normandy Farms has been around since 1971 and is known for being family-friendly and clean. (They say they're "New England's Luxury Camping Destination.") Facilities include an air-conditioned 20,000-square-foot lodge with an arcade, wellness center, indoor pool and jacuzzi; playgrounds; a bike park; hiking and biking trails, sport fields and courts; a creative arts center and dog park. Choose from a dizzyingly-large list of activities that includes a fishing derby, bingo, dance parties, arts and crafts, singalongs for little ones, card tournaments, afternoon tea and axe-throwing. New England Patriots and Red Sox fans take note: both Gillette Stadium and Fenway Park are close by. And yes, you can even book a massage here! Premium campsites go for $70-$132 depending on the day of the week.
72 West St.
Foxboro, MA
866-673-2767
Online: normandyfarms.com
Camp Hatteras RV Resort and Campground
You don't have to be in the woods to be in an RV Park! About eight hours from NYC, Camp Hatteras RV Resort and Campground uses the phrase "Life on a Sandbar" to describe the camping experience here. It offers the only oceanfront to soundfront camping in North Carolina, and as you can see, the views and beach access are incredible. In addition to beach activities galore, Camp Hatteras offers miniature golf, tennis, basketball, shuffleboard and a new dog park! Rates start at $77/night through May 27 and $94/night from May 28 to September 5.
24798 NC Hwy 12
Waves, NC
252-987-2777
Online: camphatteras.com
—Mimi O’Connor
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