RV Park Review – Liberty Harbor RV Park, NJ (NYC)
It’s basically an expensive parking lot, but it’s in an AWESOME location to explore New York City.
NOTE/ Review updated as of last stay Oct, 2017
Link to park here: Liberty Harbor RV Park, NJ
Link to map location here: Liberty Harbor RV Park, NJ
- Site quality = 1.5/5
Not much to rave about in site quality here. The park is basically is a large blacktop/dirt parking area with sites squeezed in side-by-side. No privacy or separation (we could almost touch our neighbors), no real “sitting area” and only a few picnic tables around. Also some sites are rather unlevel. You do get electric/water hookups but no sewer. The majority of sites (48 sites) have 50 Amp, while a small number of sites along the west edge (even sites C02-C28, 14 sites total) only offer 30 Amps. Price is $90/night for all, with surcharging for holidays. I would say row-end sites are slightly nicer than in-between sites since you get no neighbors on one side, and also 50 Amp sites are slightly longer/wider than 30 Amp sites, but otherwise there is really not much difference in quality throughout the park.
Note/ Although it is not advertised on their website this park DOES offer dry camping in their overflow/dry storage section for $65/night (plus tax). The dry sites don’t seem to be reservable on-line so call ahead for this. Plus they do offer a 7-stay discount (stay 6 nights, get 7th free). There is also a separate, small tent-only camping area (12 sites only) for $55/night. - Facilities = 4/5
Decent facilities here. Large showers and flush toilets, all kept spotlessly clean. Showers are rather dated, but there is a separate bench for your stuff and the water was warm and pleasant. - Amenities = 1.5/5
Nothing much to speak of in regards to amenities here. The park does have a nice laundry room with several large, modern machines ($3 to wash, $2.50 to dry) and there is a dump station on-site, but no other real amenities to speak of. - Location = 5/5
Location is what this campground is ALL about. You are RIGHT across the waterway from New York City and everything there is to see and do in that awesome city. There is a commuter ferry that leaves literally right next to the RV park and gets into the Financial District in 12 mins. Plus there is another ferry only~10 mins walk away which goes into the West side of the City (and takes dogs!). You are also walking distance to downtown Jersey City (coffee, food, groceries etc.) and the PATH (rail into the City). Plus there are CitiBike rentals all around. Honestly as a base to discover NYC I don’t think it gets much better than this. - Pet friendliness = 5/5
Honestly this is an awesome place for doggie once you explore around. There’s not much to speak of in camp, but once you get outside there are TONS of places to take your dog (Jersey is surprisingly dog-friendly!).There is a nice, easy walkway along the waterway just next to the RV Park, plus you can literally walk for miles if you go across the pedestrian bridge to Liberty State Park. You can also walk doggie east to Warren Street Pier and either take him/her into town on the dog-friendly ferry or walk a little further to Morris Canal Park where you’ll find an “unofficial” off-leash park where other owners take their dogs everyday. Also a few dog-friendly eateries in the area including Legal Grounds (breakfast, coffee) and the fabulous Departed Soles Brewpub.
Overall rating = 3.4
BONUS ALERT = Park just across the waterway from NYC!!
Video Overview: Want to see & hear it on film? Check out our ~6 minute video overview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAg2rfK_KUk
Summary: You know what they say about big cities right? Location, location, location! And that’s definitely what this RV Park is all about. It’s a super basic park, nothing much more than a blacktop parking lot with side-by-side sites so close you might well be able to touch your neighbor. And for a pricey $90/night the only hookups you’ll get are water/electric (50 Amp or 30 Amp). Nothing much else exciting in camp either. There’s a nice laundromat, dump station, and good warm showers, but that’s about it and the sites themselves are neither manicured nor particularly scenic. But what you DO get is location, and honestly for exploring New York City it doesn’t get any better than this. You are literally right next to a commuter ferry that takes you into the Pier 11/Wall Street (in only 12 minutes!), or a quick 10 mins walk to either a dog-friendly Ferry (Liberty Landing Ferries) at Warren Street, or the PATH (Jersey Rail system) at Grove Street both of which will let you explore pretty much every corner of the city you could imagine. Plus you’re biking distance to the ferry for Ellis Island & The Statue of Liberty. On top of this Jersey City is a sweet little neighborhood which is surprisingly dog-friendly too. We were able to walk doggie for miles in next-door Liberty State Park, we found an “unofficial” off-leash park just down the street at Morris Canal Park and we found two awesome dog-friendly eateries -> Legal Grounds Coffee (superb coffee & bagels) and Departed Soles Brewpub. Who would’ve thunk? Plus there are tons of other eateries and a great little grocery store (P & K Market), all walking distance from the RV park, in the area too. Overall we totally enjoyed our stay here, despite the cramped quarters and $$$. We got to explore the city everyday (with our paws too) and loved being so close to everything there is to see and do in The Big Apple. If this park were located anywhere else we would never stay here, but we loved the location so much we’d come back here in a heartbeat.
Note/ If you’re planning to come here DO book ahead since the park seems to fill up quickly even in the off-season.
Extra Info: Free on-site WiFi which actually worked so-so. Stable cell signal (3 bars Verizon LTE, 1 bar ATT LTE). Sites cost a $90/night. You can also dry-camp for $65/night. Click THIS page for detailed site costs.
Excellent! Thank for you review, we now know where to stay when we visit NYC. We have stayed in NJ and driven into the city before, long drive in, around to find a parking lot and long drive back. Next trip we’ll follow your lead. How was the noise at night?
Thank again for the video.
Noise levels were fine. There was some construction going on during the day, but evenings were wonderfully quiet.
Nina
We had a fun time there. You are quite correct in your evaluation. We spent four nights and had a great time. Right up the steer from LH, the is a good steakhouse, downstairs in a typical brownstone. Edward’s was obviously a home town favorite. They offered a fixed price ($40), three course meal with a nice steak. They also had good appetizers. We had a real nice evening. About a five minute walk from your front door. http://edwardssteakhouse.com/
Nice! We walked by that spot several times, but I didn’t know they offered such an affordable 3-course meal. Great tip thanks!
Nina
How was the feeling of safety? Being that close to the city – was it fenced? Guarded?
Security was good. The park is fenced and there is security during the day. I felt very safe here.
Nina
Agree with all your comments.
When we were there it rained quite a bit. Parts of the tent area had a couple of inches of water. I was really glad I wasn’t in one of those tents!
The tent area looked pretty dreary, but for $55/night this close to NYC I guess it’s a deal? I was surprised how full it was while we were there.
Nina
Who knew that one of the best ways to enjoy Manhattan is from an RV park just on the other side of the Hudson. A new law was passed in NYC to try to curtail Airbnb, so RVing maybe the best way to go. At least your won’t be annoying your property tax paying neighbors.
Love your enthusiasm and your video!
I believe the Airbnb law only applies to the NYC side of the Hudson, at least for now. Jersey City still allows them and we found tons of listings near the RV Park that were not all that crazy (in the $90-$150/night range). If you don’t have pets I think Airbnb is still a possibility on this side.
Nina
Very helpful! Thanks for the detail.
If we ever decide to visit NY in the RV, this will be the place. Funny how easy it is to overlook the negatives when you have such a great convenience factor. Looks like you had a great time, in between worrying about Taggart, of course.
Totally. This is BY FAR the most expensive RV Park we have EVER stayed at, and quite easily one of the most basic too. Yet the location of the park made it palatable. It was such a great spot to explore the city.
Nina
What an awesome review Nina! I’m currently planning my first major US road trip and will be in New York in May. Since I will be towing my Airstream, all the road/bridge restrictions and tolls scared me off from staying at Liberty Harbor. For now, I’ve decided to stay in Florida, NY and take a train in….this might sway me to to get over my fear of the unknown though! I also want to take a minute to let you know how much I appreciate all the work you put into your blog. You’ve great content! PS I so enjoyed listening to you and Paul on Heath Padgett’s podcast. You two rock 🙂
Thanks! And glad you enjoyed the Podcast too (it was our very first one!). Good travels to you!
Nina
Descriptive review. RV’s offer a “home on wheels” with all the controlled conveniences; but variable locations and neighbors. Hotels offer perfect locations/amenities; but highly variable rooms, meals, etc.
Applaud Paul for driving into Jersey. Nice review.
My wife and I stayed there last November for our honeymoon. It was an awesome stay. We had a really great time visiting the city. The cost was cheap compared to staying in a hotel in NYC. Plus the staff there where awesome.
Totally agree. The staff was great with us too. We shipped our mail and a few packages to the park. They held everything for us, and also gave us great tips on public transport and stuff to do and see in the area.
Nina
How much was the ferry to cross the Hudson River to get to NYC? Just asking as I stayed in a different campground multiple times. Mine wasn’t pet friendly for your purposes.
It was $7 per person. You could buy a 10-pack crossing for $55 (I believe), but the individual tickets were $7 a piece. Dogs travel free.
Nina
Nice podcast. I enjoy following you guys. Maybe In a few years I’ll be full timing it.
Thx for all the info.
Joe G
Good description of park. We were there in late August of 2015. Hot humid. And frustrating part was the 50 amp service kept blowing. Manager came out and apologized, reset the breaker and went back in his a/c cool office. Then circuit blew again. Over and over. It was happening to most of the sites. Expect the same if you arrive in the heat of the summer.
Just read your review of the RV park. I read you often, but never commented before. This is good info about the RV park. Heading to NYC in about a week, and feeling a little overwhelmed about what to do once we get there, so this is a good start. Considering a bus tour, but so many. How does one pick? Anyway…I’m writing this comment because I note you say you are in Schoodic Peninsula, ME today. We were there today too! Staying at the KOA in Bar Harbor.
For what to do in the city, check out my previous post (just before this one, click the “previous post” link at the bottom of the page to access it) on what we did. I tried to pick the top 5 items and condense them into a post. I think it’ll be helpful! We didn’t do a specific bus tour, but I’d recommend the hop-on, hop-off type. It’ll give you the flexibility to see a lot of different spots at your own pace.
We just left Schoodic a few days ago (I’m late updating our position) but how we loved it!! Enjoy the nature and those amazing fall colors!
Nina
Do you have specific driving directions for a 40′ DP pulling a truck into the city? That’s what we’re worried about the most…….getting to the park!
You can look on our travel map (either 2016 or 2017), or consult the website for the park. They have the best instructions for getting there. Basically you want to stay on the New Jersey Turnpike all the way around, go across the Newark Bay Bridge and then take the exit at Christopher Columbus Drive. If still in doubt, then call the park.
Nina