When most people think about camping, they picture nature and solitude. Far away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, but that’s not always the case. If you’re looking for a cost-effective vacation for your family, driving your RV can save you a lot of money on hotel rooms and airfare. Generally, most people opt to stay outside of major cities, but there are a few where you can stay right in the middle of the action. We’ll take you through some of the best urban camping spots in the U.S. and give some tips to urban camp in a major city.
New York City
When you picture New York City, you would never imagine being able to stay anywhere near there in your RV. If you’re thinking about taking your family on a vacation to the Big Apple, the cost of flights and hotel rooms can add up quickly. Luckily, Liberty Harbor RV Park, is just across the river from Manhattan in Jersey City. At $100 a night or $600 for the week, it’s more expensive than most RV parks. But overall, it is way less expensive than a hotel room (or multiple hotel rooms.)
Plus, it’s conveniently located near the train that takes you straight into NYC. Leave your rig and your car at the RV park and head into the city for a day full of exploring and adventure. You can even see the Statue of Liberty from the park. How’s that for a NYC camping experience? (BONUS: they even have a couple of tent camping spots!)
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is famous for its picture-perfect beaches (and traffic). Who would want to drive their RV into that mess? Luckily, Dockweiler RV Park is conveniently located off the 405 freeway and is easy to get to. The park offers full hookups with gorgeous views of the ocean and free fire pits right on the beach. Located directly under LAX, the noise levels from the planes are a little intense, but you can’t beat the location!
To get away from the hustle and bustle of the city (and the airport), head up to Malibu. You can stay at Malibu Beach RV Park for more stunning views.
Las Vegas
Who knew that you could actually park your RV right on the Las Vegas strip? Casinos are usually a great place to check for camping opportunities in major cities and Circus Circus has its own RV spots. However, we only recommend staying at Circus Circus for a night or two. The security isn’t very good and they do have some theft issues.
If you stay about 20 minutes outside the city, there are many RV parks that are safe to leave your rig for all day (and night) adventures in Las Vegas. We stayed at Hitchin’ Post RV Park for an entire month and couldn’t beat the low monthly cost!
Washington D.C.
The closest place to park your rig in D.C. is about 30 minutes north of the city, at Cherry Hill Park. Our nation’s capital is a treasure trove of historic buildings and museums. What better way to see all the sights, than with a tour? The park offers tours and a shuttle that leave right from the campground. It is also conveniently located to the metro that will take you straight into the city. The park also comes chock full of amenities, so visiting Cherry Hill is an experience all in itself.
Chicago
You can’t beat the location and price of Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center. It doesn’t get better than staying in the city for $35 a night with a short walk to the beach and minutes to the heart of downtown. However, the spaces come with zero hookups and you’re basically camping in a truck yard parking lot. If your rig is self contained and you are able to do a little urban boondocking, it’s the perfect place to spend a couple days exploring Chicago.
Now go rent an RV today and head into the big city to explore!
