Cheesequake State Park Campground sits approximately 2 miles from the Garden State Parkway between Matawan and Old Bridge Township. The campground occupies a unique ecological area where northern and southern New Jersey plant species overlap. Temperatures typically range from 50-85°F during camping season with moderate rainfall. Most sites remain open from April through October, with varying noise levels based on proximity to nearby highways.
What to do
Hiking near campsites: The trail system at Cheesequake State Park Campground offers options suitable for first-time campers with several lookout locations. "The trails range from easy to moderate with quite a few lookout locations. The elevation of the trails is not too strenuous," notes one visitor who appreciated the accessible terrain.
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park maintains an archery range with hay barrels for target practice near its wooded campsites. A regular visitor recommends "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels" as part of the outdoor experience, noting the facility has "everything the outdoorsman could ask for."
Winter activities: Several campgrounds maintain winter access for seasonal activities when conditions permit. At Turkey Swamp Park, visitors can "ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods," making it suitable for year-round outdoor recreation despite seasonal closures at some facilities.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Beaver Pond Campground offers sites that feel more secluded than others in the region. "The biggest positive about Beaver Pond is how spread out it was. You definitely feel like you have your own space and are not camping on top of your neighbor," reports one camper who appreciated the privacy.
Platform tent sites: Several parks offer raised platforms for tent camping, providing practical benefits in wet conditions. At Beaver Pond, "Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained or if you are expecting rain during your stay," notes a visitor who found this feature particularly useful.
Communal facilities: Dish washing stations and other shared amenities make extended stays more comfortable at many parks. One Beaver Pond camper particularly enjoyed "the communal sink which made it very convenient and easy to wash dishes and fill up water."
What you should know
Bear activity: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation and other wooded campgrounds have active wildlife including bears. Most sites display warning signs and require proper food storage. "There are a lot of bear warnings here so that gave us a bit of pause with our three little boys," notes one family that visited the reservation.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects sound levels at certain campgrounds. At Cheesequake, campers report "the Parkway is right there so its not a nice quiet place," while another notes "the parkway runs through/over the park, you will be able to hear traffic noises."
Seasonal insect challenges: Ticks and other insects can be prevalent at wooded sites, particularly in spring and early summer. One camper at Turkey Swamp Park reported, "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2. That was so crazy because we were just sitting by our camper."
Tips for camping with families
First-timer friendly options: Round Valley State Park Campground offers camping that introduces children to more rustic experiences while maintaining basic amenities. Its wilderness-oriented setup provides "a great place to start with getting into backpacking and enjoying nature," according to an experienced visitor.
Playground access: Multiple dog friendly campgrounds near Avenel include playground facilities to keep children occupied. Cheesequake State Park is described as "a great site for those who are not avid campers. It's close to town if you forget something and it has all the facilities you may need, bathroom, shower, etc."
Off-season advantages: Visiting midweek or during shoulder seasons provides a quieter experience for families with young children. At Beaver Pond, "during summer weekends the grounds fill up and can be quite noisy, but mid-week during the off-season it was great," reports a visitor who stayed in September.
Tips from RVers
RV site selection: At Liberty Harbor RV Park, location advantages come with space limitations. "Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room. If it's packed, your neighbor will be within inches of your rig," advises a regular visitor to this Jersey City facility.
Urban access considerations: Liberty Harbor RV Park requires careful navigation to avoid tolls when arriving with larger vehicles. One RVer advises, "Getting in and out of the city is an adventure. Stay right off the highway to avoid the $30 tunnel toll. Follow RV life pro and not Waze."
Hookup access: At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, water connection distances can be significant. However, campers note that "Website lists water hook ups at long distances but they have hose reels to help with that. Our site (15) said 75' however the 50' hose reel made it to our rv connection."
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