Equestrian camping near Avon-by-the-Sea, New Jersey requires advance planning due to limited dedicated facilities. The coastal region features sandy terrain with elevations ranging from sea level to about 60 feet across nearby state forests and parks. Summer temperatures average 80-85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions with temperatures between 55-75°F.
What to do
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park maintains an archery range with hay barrels for target practice. "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels," notes camper Patrick M. at Turkey Swamp Park.
Mountain biking: The trail system at Allaire State Park offers diverse biking terrain from beginner to advanced. "Mountain Biking from easy, paved trails to several miles of single track with everything in between," writes Beau B., who appreciates the variety of cycling options.
Paddling activities: Turkey Swamp Park features a lake with rental options during summer months. "There is a lake with a boat dock and a small boardwalk. Kayaking/Canoeing, fishing, and swimming. In summer, canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental," explains camper Lee D.
Winter activities: Several parks maintain winter camping options with specific seasonal activities. "Get a cabin in the winter and going for a snowy hike is wondrful there," recommends Patrick M. about Allaire State Park, while another visitor notes you can "ice skate on the lake in the winter" at Turkey Swamp Park.
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural setting and privacy at Turkey Swamp Park. "Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy. A lantern hook, picnic table, and fire ring complete each site," describes Lee D.
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and shower facilities receive consistent positive reviews at Brendan Byrne State Forest. "The bathrooms and showers here were in really good condition, well cleaned and stocked, and was pleasant to use!" mentions Dorian P. at Brendan Byrne State Forest.
Secluded atmosphere: The remote location of some campgrounds creates a peaceful environment. "You have to drive a good amount of distance to get into the campground and that is something I really enjoyed! Made me feel super secluded and disconnected from the outside!" shares Dorian P.
Pine Barrens environment: The unique ecosystem draws nature enthusiasts. "It's in the great NJ pine barrens. This place is fantastic! The smells, the sounds, the wildlife. Love it," explains Benjamin K., highlighting the sensory experience of camping in this distinctive region.
What you should know
Limited equestrian access: None of the campgrounds within 30 miles of Avon-by-the-Sea provide dedicated horse corrals or stalls. Horseback riders need to contact park offices directly for special accommodation requests.
Tick prevention essential: Ticks are prevalent in wooded areas near Avon-by-the-Sea. "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," warns Laura Y. at Turkey Swamp Park.
Dirt access roads: Some campgrounds have unpaved entry routes. "As soon as you turn off the main road to the park, all roads are dirt, which was a bit surprising. They were well-maintained and in dry weather, not a problem, but probably not if it was rainy," notes Lee D.
Fire restrictions: Campgrounds enforce specific fire regulations. "Only weird rule I saw was that fires can only go from 6pm till 7am which was odd but wasn't a deal breaker," mentions Dorian P. about Brendan Byrne State Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playgrounds: Turkey Swamp Park offers age-appropriate play areas for children. "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office," notes Lee D., providing options to keep younger campers entertained.
Seasonal bug considerations: Plan family trips with insect activity in mind. "We went camping with our 2- and 3-year-old kids. We were worried about bugs, but we didn't even use mosquito repellent and didn't get a single bite!" shares Jaewook P. at Turkey Swamp Park, suggesting late summer may have fewer insects.
Cabin options for beginners: First-time campers with children might prefer cabins over tents. "I've stayed in the cabins here a couple times. Love the area lots to do hiking fishing nature walks, something for everyone. Cabins are no frills yet very nice no electricity they are equipi with 4 bunks a LG picnic table and a wood stove for heat," explains Erik M. about Allaire State Park.
Weekend facility rules: Understand check-in/check-out policies that may affect family plans. "Enjoyed my time there for the weekend. Didn't like that there was a checkout time and there was no reservation for that day," notes Jay M. at Allaire State Park.
Tips from RVers
RV site specifics: Turkey Swamp Park provides all pull-through sites with utilities. "This campground has all pull-through sites. Nicely wooded with water and electric. Be sure to bring extra hose because the water spigot is a distance from the electric," advises Jean T. at Turkey Swamp Park.
Urban RV option: For those wanting to combine camping with NYC visits, Liberty Harbor RV Park offers a unique alternative. "This is a great spot with views of Manhattan, Statue of Liberty, etc. Expect to pay pretty good to be gear, but from here you can pretty much easily get anywhere in NYC," explains John G. at Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Site selection strategy: Choose corner spots when available for more space. "Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room. If it's packed, your neighbor with be within inches of your rig," recommends Keith and Tia S. for urban RV parking.
