Turkey Swamp Park and Allaire State Park offer fully-equipped cabins and yurts near Island Heights, New Jersey. Located within 30 miles of Island Heights, these state-managed properties provide campsites with access to water spigots, shower facilities, and fishing areas for visitors seeking outdoor accommodations without sacrificing basic amenities. Most properties maintain seasonal operation from April through November, though Brendan Byrne State Forest remains accessible year-round with winter cabin options available by reservation.
What to do
Lake activities at Turkey Swamp Park: The 64-site campground features a lake with boat rentals during summer months. "Turkey Swamp is a great spot, a lot of different things to do. Fishing, Tent Camp, Van Camping, Open Field, BBQ, Kayaking, Canoeing. The list goes on. I've been here a few times, every time I'm here I barely touch my phone," writes Tylen L. on Turkey Swamp Park.
Winter activities in Pine Barrens: Cold-weather camping offers unique experiences when crowds thin out. "This may be my favorite spot. I have stayed in all the spots they offer, yurt, cabin and the pull up sites. It is well maintained with numerous trails to hike. Getting a cabin in the winter and going for a snowy hike is wonderful there," notes Patrick M. about Allaire State Park.
Archery and ice skating: Several parks maintain seasonal recreational facilities beyond standard hiking trails. "We go every year. It has everything the outdoorsman could ask for. Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels. Ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods," explains Patrick M. about Turkey Swamp Park.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campgrounds in the region offer secluded settings despite proximity to urban areas. "Nice, remote, private. Some sites unlevel. Bring a LONG water hose. Nice lake. Showers and washers and dryers," reports Shawn about Turkey Swamp Park.
Kayak access from campsites: Waterfront camping permits direct water entry at select locations. "Campsite G014 was awesome! It was a great location, closest site to the water with beautiful views. Super convenient if you're a Kayaker, you can launch right off that spot. It's a huge site, away from other sites," shares Brianna P. about Atsion Family Camp.
Pine Barrens atmosphere: The region's unique ecosystem creates distinctive camping conditions. "It's far away from traffic noise. You can't hear any cars or any other noise from civilization at all. It's at least 10 miles away from anything more than a single house in the woods. 5 miles away from the main road. It just makes for better camping," explains Benjamin K. about Brendan Byrne State Forest.
What you should know
Limited hookups at state parks: Most state-operated campgrounds provide basic services only. "We stayed in the cabins here a couple times. Cabins are no frills yet very nice no electricity they are equipped with 4 bunks a LG picnic table and a wood stove for heat. Also a nice porch fire ring and a charcoal grill," explains Erik M. about Allaire State Park.
Insects can be problematic: The coastal location and forested setting attract seasonal pests. "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. I have been RVing for 2-3 years and this is the first time this many ticks ambushed us," warns LAURA Y. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Water pressure fluctuations: Utilities may experience service variations during peak usage. "We had a problem with our site: extremely low water pressure, often below 20 PSI. It was so low at times, that we couldn't take showers or flush the toilet. At some times, it was a bearable 40 PSI," reports Matt S. about Sea Pirate Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for organized activities: Some campgrounds provide structured entertainment for younger guests. "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! The campground was super clean too. It was perfect!" shares JAEWOOK P. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Choose campgrounds with playground access: Play areas provide recreation options for children. "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office," notes Lee D. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Consider weekend-specific events: Many glamping sites near Island Heights coordinate special activities during peak season. "The park was great. Very close to local sites like Tuckerton Seaport. Lots of activities on site including fishing, a heated pool, hot tub, and a couple of playgrounds. They had several activities and sent text reminders of what was going on," explains Gennifer K. about Sea Pirate Campground.
Tips from RVers
Prepare for sandy sites: Many coastal New Jersey campgrounds have natural sand surfaces. "My only minor negatives were that the firewood sold in the store was so wet it wouldn't light and they charge an additional $5 if you want it delivered to your site. And our site was really sandy and dirty which created a bit of a mess, especially after some rain, but it is the Jersey shore," notes Matt S. about Sea Pirate Campground.
Check site specifications carefully: Site amenities may differ from online descriptions. "I reserved and paid-in-full for a premium site which listed 50-amp service and a concrete pad. Nope. Only 30-amp service and no concrete pad. When I called the office, assuming there must've been a mistake, I was told by two different staff members that their website is 'wonky,'" cautions Matt S. about Adventure Bound Camping.
Consider off-season visits: Shoulder season camping offers reduced crowds and rates. "Did a weekend bikepacking trip from New Brunswick to Allaire. Big sites that you can hear the highway from. A really nice bike ride to Ocean Grove and other beach towns. There are outlets in the bathroom and someone put a fullass drip coffee machine in one of the sinks. I did not refuse a fresh cup of brew," shares Dan X. about Allaire State Park.
