Turkey Swamp Park sits amid the pine barrens of eastern New Jersey, approximately 15 miles from Beachwood. Winter visitors can access seasonal ice skating when the lake freezes, while summer campers enjoy kayaking and canoeing on the 17-acre lake. The park's camping loops feature dirt roads and spacious sites suitable for tent camping and RVs, with sites remaining open from April through mid-November.
What to do
Ice skating in winter: Turkey Swamp Park offers unique seasonal activities for winter glamping enthusiasts. "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," notes Patrick M. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Kayaking on Wading River: Campers can launch kayaks directly from certain sites at Wharton State Forest. "Our site was right on Wading River and we launched our kayaks right at the site! Our tent has a full view of the sky and at night it was like a planetarium as we admired the sky from our cots," shares Dina S. about Atsion Family Camp.
Tubing experiences: Seasonal campers can enjoy river tubing directly from the campground. "The river is right there to go tubing or kayaking. Playground is cool. They allow golfcarts which is a plus in my book," explains Arnold M. about Wading Pines Camping Resort.
Visit Tuckerton Seaport: Historical maritime attractions within short driving distance provide educational options. "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," writes Gennifer K. about Sea Pirate Campground.
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Turkey Swamp Park offers large, private campsites surrounded by trees. "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest. Sites are tent and RV sites and you are allowed to have a tent on the site with an RV at no extra charge," reports Katheryn N.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and showers. "The bathrooms were clean and the staff was friendly. They do patrol the sites with a police presence in the evening," notes Jesse G. about Brendan Byrne State Forest.
Heated swimming pools: Some glamping resorts offer extended swimming seasons with heated pools. "The heated swimming pool was large and the water crystal clear. The store was stocked with typical essentials like supplies, fire wood, and snacks," shares Matt S. from Sea Pirate Campground.
Pine Barrens seclusion: Brendan Byrne State Forest offers true isolation from urban environments. "First off, I will start by saying 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," reports Dorian P.
What you should know
Tick awareness: Some wooded areas have significant tick populations during warmer months. "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. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Sandy sites: Many campgrounds feature sandy soil common to the Pine Barrens region. "Campsite came with fire pit, large picnic bench, and lamp stand. Plenty of parking space. Good tree coverage. Only one bathroom, bit of a walk but clean and many ammenities available within," notes Graham D. about Allaire State Park.
Water pressure variations: Some campgrounds experience utility fluctuations during peak times. "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," reports Matt S. about Sea Pirate Campground.
Campfire restrictions: Some parks limit fire usage to specific hours. "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
Off-season camping with young children: Less crowded conditions can make glamping with toddlers easier. "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," shares Jaewook P. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Look for Halloween activities: Several campgrounds offer special October programming. "We came the weekend before the real Halloween, and the grounds were pretty deserted. We rented a golf cart and did some of the activities like painting and playing bingo. We took a hayride around the park, which was fun," notes Nicole S. about Timberland Lake Campground.
Check for playground proximity: Campsite selection can significantly impact family experiences. "There is a centralized playground for the kids with bathrooms and showers next door. Staff was awesome! Attentive and outgoing," explains Dan W. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Consider cabin options: Winter camping with families works better in structured accommodations. "I have stayed in all the spots they offer, yurt, cabin and the pull up sites. Getting a cabin in the winter and going for a snowy hike is wonderful there," recommends Patrick M. about Allaire State Park.
Tips from RVers
Water hose length: Some campgrounds require longer-than-standard water connections. "Nice, remote, private. Some sites unlevel. Bring a LONG water hose. Nice lake. Showers and washers and dryers," advises Shawn about Turkey Swamp Park.
Road conditions: Pine Barrens access roads can be challenging for larger rigs. "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," cautions Lee D.
Dump station availability: Most campgrounds offer dump stations rather than full hookups. "The campsite runs along a local road that doesn't get much traffic, but you'll definitely hear cars going by at 50 mph. Across the street from the entrance is a home that sells sundries and firewood," notes Steve from Atsion Family Camp.
