Road Trips Starting from Jersey City, NJ
Best National Parks Near Jersey City, NJ
While there aren’t any national parks in New Jersey, there are some relatively close to Jersey City if you are willing to make the trip. For example, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the United States, and it can be found 438 miles away in northwestern Ohio. This park, which is known for its collection of over 100 natural waterfalls, offers over 125 miles of hiking trails for you to explore. While at the park, be sure to check out the Canal Exploration Center and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad too.
Shenandoah National Park is found in Virginia, about 291 miles southwest of Jersey City. This park is 196,000 acres large, and it is home to 101 miles of the famous Appalachian Trail. Activities that are popular at the park include climbing to the top of Old Rag Mountain, exploring the multiple visitor centers, and hiking easy trails such as Fort Windham Rocks Trail and Millers Head Trail.
New River Gorge National Park is one of the youngest national parks in the U.S., but it features a gorge that was carved out by flowing water that ran for thousands of years. At this park, which is about 517 miles from Jersey City, visitors can explore 70,000 acres of forested land, and photographers frequently come to the park in the fall to get pictures of the foliage. Popular hiking trails at the park include Long Point Trail, Endless Wall Trail, and Canyon Rim Overlook Boardwalk.
Popular State Parks Near Jersey City, NJ
Cheesequake State Park is only 32 miles from downtown Jersey City, and it features over 1,600 acres of land. The park is known for its crabbing, fishing, and boating opportunities on Hook Creek Lake, but there are also five hiking trails to use year-round since, in the winter, snowshoeing is a popular activity along the paths. Picnic sites are scattered throughout the park for you to use, and there is a primitive campground that is RV-friendly.
New York’s Harriman State Park is a must-see for hikers since it offers over 200 miles of trails. This park also boasts over 30 bodies of water and two public beaches, so swimming, boating, and fishing are popular activities too. During the winter, visitors may come to the park to go ice fishing, ice skating, and cross-country skiing. You will find this amazing park just 39 miles from Jersey City.
Sitting on the western side of New York’s Hudson River is Bear Mountain State Park, which is 53 miles from Jersey City. This park is home to the oldest area of the Appalachian Trail and Bear Mountain, which rises to 1,289 feet. Highlights of this park include a small zoo, a historic carousel, and a multi-use trail system open for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Must-see Monuments and Landmarks Near Jersey City, NJ
Perhaps one of the world’s most recognizable statues is Lady Liberty, found at the Statue of Liberty National Monument. This monument, found only 2 miles from downtown Jersey City, is located on Liberty Island, which can be accessed via ferry from either New York or New Jersey. The statue itself dates back to 1886, and the monument also features a history museum.
Castle Clinton National Monument is found 5 miles from Jersey City, and it’s a unique location that spent time as a military training facility, entertainment complex, and even aquarium over the years. Dating back to 1812, this site was originally constructed as a base for American soldiers to defend New York from British invaders. Today, visitors can tour the monument with a park ranger to learn more about its historic significance.
The Federal Hall National Memorial in New York is located 5 miles away from Jersey City, and it commemorates the place where President Washington took his first oath of office. The building of the memorial is also known as the first federal executive office of the U.S., and today it houses artifacts such as those used in Washington’s inauguration. Anytime you visit the memorial, start your tour in the visitor information center to better understand the events that took place there.
RVshare’s Top Picks for Nearby RV Parks & Campgrounds
Liberty Harbor Marina and RV Park is found on Marin Boulevard within Jersey City, and this is a campground that has a front-seat view of the New York City skyline. This campground is also gated for guest security, and it features 62 campsites with partial hookups. From this campground, guests can walk to multiple ferry and railway stations or book a bus to head to Manhattan right from the location’s entrance.
Another campground found right in Jersey City is Sun Air Lakeside Campground, which is located on Halligan Drive. This campground is nestled in a heavily wooded area, and it offers 110 campsites with 30-amp hookups. Amenities of the campground include drinking water, a dump station, and modern showers.
Fla-Net Park is a campground found 43 miles from Jersey City in the town of Flanders, New Jersey. At this location, you can enjoy full hookups, showers, and good cell reception, plus pets are allowed. A playground is found within the campground, and there is a pond for catch-and-release fishing.
RV Dump Stations Near Jersey City, NJ
The Liberty Harbor Marina and RV Park offers dump services for RVs year-round right in Jersey City. The dump station is free to use for camp guests, but those passing through can also use it for a small fee.
Middletown Sewerage Authority in Belford, 40 miles from Jersey City, is another option for RV dumping. At this location, visitors can use the dump station for free on weekdays year-round.
Long Beach in New York is home to Nickerson Beach Campground, which offers a dump station to all visitors. Those who stay at the campground may use the dump services for free, and others may do so for a small fee. You can find this dump station about 44 miles north of Jersey City.
