Review Detail

We really enjoyed this campground, which is a converted mobile home park. The utilities are in very strange places as a result. If you want to use the 50 amp service, be sure to bring a long 50 amp cord as the electricity connection is at the end of the pad. Also, bring a long sewer hose and be prepared to crawl under your RV to connect it. We were told that the utilities would be moved soon to a more standard location. On the plus side, the pads are concrete and HUGE! There are no showers, bathrooms or laundry rooms in the campground, so plan accordingly. (Showers are available at the gym locker room, but bring some flip flops as it doesn't appear that the showers are cleaned often.) There is a laundry facility on base available Monday-Friday only-- see MWR for details. The campground itself is beautiful, located in a wooded area with lots of shade. The gym is a short walk and is first-rate (with the exception of the locker room-- see comment above.) There is a playground and very nice skateboard park if you have children/grandchildren with you. Darlene at MWR (who is the POC for the campground) is wonderful and friendly. She gave us maps, made restaurant recommendations, and was in general very helpful. The MWR office is co-located with the gym, internet cafe and mini-shopette (a 3-minute walk from the campground). There is a nice selection of DVDs for rent and a small library. The part of the base where the campground is located is very small-- no Commissary, BX, post office, etc. (The working part of the base is located at the dock several miles away.) We often felt like we were in a Stephen King novel as we walked through the deserted base. The chapel is no longer in use, so don't let the posted service times (on yellowed paper) fool you. There is an Army post nearby (about 15-20 minute drive with BX, Commissary, etc.) The primary reason we stayed here was to explore New York City. The train station is an easy 10-15 minute drive (Little Silver station), and we spent only $4.75 per person (one-way, military or senior rate) to travel straight to Penn Station on Manhattan Island (close to the Empire State Building). The trip takes about an hour. You can also take a ferry to Manhattan--the ferry service also offers a military discount, but it's a little pricier than the train. The town of Colt's Neck (outside the base) is charming. The Orchard store has the most wonderful produce and bakery. There is a NASCAR race track nearby and a horse racing track (we did not visit either). The highlight of our trip was exploring the Jersey shore in Point Pleasant (30 minute drive) where we walked the boardwalk, rode the rides and ate saltwater taffy. As an alternative to the RV park, you might consider the houses for rent on base. We didn't see them, but were told by several people that they're extremely nice. The price is determined by rank/pay, but considering the proximity to New York, it would be a very econoimical vacation for a family. One thing we did find irritating was the permanent residents-- active duty couples/families taking up 5 of the 8 available sites. We were told that they would be moved to sites across the road that are currently under construction so that all 8 spots will be available by the end of Summer 2006. We will definitely stay at this quiet, peaceful campground again.