Belmar is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that New Jersey camping has to offer. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Belmar and user-submitted reviews.
"Lots of walking paths surround the park & you are also close to Belmar, Point Pleasant, Manasquan (all fun shore towns)."
"Nice state park with trails nearby."
$42 - $79 / night
" We stayed in New Jersey for our 5th campground on the East Coast: Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold. This is a County park.
Near some Revolutionary War battlefields.
I really liked this park!"
"Heavily wooded and supremely quiet, it’s located not far from anywhere you’d want to be. 30 minutes to the shore. Every site is a pull-through, large and spacious with great woodland views. 30amp and"
$30 - $150 / night
"Once you are there, you can walk right across the street to a bayside inlet and sandy shore that is not highly trafficked because no one can park there except those using the campground."
"Rangers at the entrance regulate admittance thus, providing a safe environment within the confines of the base."
"It feels like you're camping out in a field with mostly sand around. But having said that, I'd still recommend it for all of the positive they do have."
"Just from walking around I saw the two pools, an RC track, bocci, shuffle and board. They did have organized activities set up as well."
$64 - $78 / night
"Fishing lake is on the smaller side, but people were catching fish. Definitely in our top 5 New Jersey Campgrounds."
"4½ Stars Quick Weekend Getaway
We stayed at Butterfly Camping Resort in Jackson, New Jersey, for a 2-night weekend in late-August. We’re so glad we did! "
"No hiking trails. No pond or lake for fishing.
$50 per night"
$200 / night
"I stayed at Cheesequake at the beginning of August and had a very positive experience."
"This park is on the list of 50 top NJ Hikes, and it has a few great trails. The trails range from easy to moderate with quite a few lookout locations."
$45 / night
"In our opinion this is the best site because you have an unobstructed view of Stockton Lake & the horizon over the ocean."
"Small campground W/ 8 spaces in the main area and 7 in an adjacent area. All spaces are level concrete With fill hookups and attached concrete patio."
"They do their own haunted walk through that is just awesome! Everyone decorates. They have a dj every Saturday! Plenty of activities for the kids. They have cool raffles!"
"As a kid - close to 6 flags where we had season passes... it was Jellystone yogi bear at the time.
Very close to 6 flags great adventure."
ScoutWe 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!
ScoutMy first time solo camping and it couldn’t have gone better. The staff there are top notch. Clean site. So much to do. Couldn’t recommend enough.
ScoutOverall we enjoyed our stay. I will say that the rules of the campsites are ambiguous on the website and when we first arrived were unaware that if using an RV in a tent site you are not allowed to add another tent to the site. There is a two tent limit per site despite the site allowing up to 6 people. We ended up needing to purchase another site which was thankfully open for us to use, however I would have purchased it next to our original site had I known about the limitations.
Otherwise, the stay was pleasant. The bathrooms were clean and the staff was friendly. They do patrol the sites with a police presence in the evening.
ScoutVery helpful staff and wonderful atmosphere. We were made to feel very welcome and well taken care of. Couldn’t ask for any better. The showers are basic but far from the worst I’ve experienced, clean and stocked. Limited store supply selection but Wawa is a 15 minute drive and Walmart is roughly the same so that’s good enough for me. Pool is well taken care of and the lake is nice. Mosquitoes are bad but that’s to be expected being near water of any kind so can’t complain too much it is what it is. Overall a nice spot to stop for some time away from the hustle and bustle of life.
ScoutMy wife and I, residing near the Commodore Barry, sought a brief respite. Our thirteen-year-old son was unable to join us, so we proceeded without him. We secured site 53, a deluxe site offering ample space for our 29VBUD and Ram. The site was level and meticulously maintained, as were the dirt roads. The atmosphere was tranquil and relaxing. Numerous children and abundant activities kept them engaged. Our son truly missed a delightful experience. We departed on Sunday, but the serene ambiance almost prompted us to extend our stay. The sounds of families creating memories enhanced our enjoyment. We certainly plan to return when our grandson is older.
RangerWe stayed here in November-December to do some exploring around Jersey. Not a lot going on at the fam camp. Clean and gravel. Lots of military training nearby but overall a quiet stay. On the beaten path but a bit further into the trees so you’re not hearing so much road noise.
TravelerGreat campground! Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest. There are tent and RV sites and you are allowed to have a tent on the site with an RV at no extra charge. The bathrooms and showers are clean and well maintained. There is pretty lake with good fishing and they sell bait at the Ranger office. There are lots of trails and the packed dirt roads are nice for bike riding. There are playgrounds and picnic areas as well. This is a lovely campground.
LegendGranted, you’re in Princeton, yeah, that place known for that one certain university, so of course the expectations are going to be high, right? So, no doubt that this Lowes is pretty awesome, well, insofar as parking lots go that is. While there’s a variety of different sized Lowes that you’ll come across, this particular big blue box retailer serves up a fairly decent sized parking patio here for your overnight paved parking pleasure. Despite being conveniently located right off US1 and just 15 to 20 minutes west of I95 – as this retailer is located in a fairly normal-paced suburban location, you are going to like that yes, while there’s no doubt traffic, it’s all manageable. Despite being located right off US1, this Lowes sits back by about 80 yards so the locale doesn’t pick up all of the highway passerby traffic noise.
Before arriving here, we called Customer Service and spoke with a very friendly lady called Jai-isha, who connected us with the store manager, Amanda, who confirmed it was OK for us to spend the night at this particular Lowes location. So while I don’t think anyone would have any problems just rocking up here for a quick overnighter, you might want to call ahead or stop in first.
While there was definitely an abundance of parked cars as you enter from the west side, this is the least populated area of this parking corral, as well as the southern perimeter, which is a dash bit slower, less populated and therefor quieter. If that somewhat frequently trafficked retail arena doesn’t dissuade you from parking here at this home fixer upper, then you’ll be treated to a small smattering of additional retail options such as Mattress Firm (just in case you needed a new one for your RV), Trader Joes if you need to stock up on groceries, Starbucks to get jacked up on caffeine for that road trip you’re about to take as well The Container Store in the event that you need any kind of packing materials. While these stores add to the traffic pool, you’ll discover its altogether not terribly congested.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Should you be RVing with your four-legged friends with you, then you’ll be in luck as just due north of here you’ll discover a nice patch of nature called Institute Woods (seems ironic, right?) that offers 589 acres of nicely manicured woods, farmland, wetlands and paths for you and your pet to stretch your legs – but be sure to check out the wooden bridge that spans the stream; (2) When you grow tired of trying to conjure up that next meal from the remains of what is in your onboard mini-fridge or you just want to try out some local fare, then just across the street you’ll find The Princetonian Diner otherwise there’s some fast food joints like Wendy’s and Jersey Mike’s Subs or further down US1 in either direction you have comfort casual chains like Buffalo Wild Wings and P.F. Changs; (3) If you have a canoe or kayak and want to dip the beak of your vessel into some fresh water, then head due northeast to Carnegie Lake where you can not only get some decent oaring in, but drop a line or two as well to grab a nice dinner of blue gill; and (4) Looking for a fun diversion for the kiddos? Then head on over to Stumpy’s Hatchet House for some really great axe-wielding competitions!
While scoring criteria may vary from one person to the next, here are the 5 most important criteria that informed my rating of this overnight location: convenience (EZ on- and off-access), safety & security, quality (of facilities), peace & quiet and amenities (either on-site or nearby). Here’s how I ranked this particular overnight spot:
Convenience: 5
Safety & Security: 5
Quality: 5
Peace & Quiet: 4
Amenities: 4
Overall, I scored this location a 5.
Happy Overnighting!
ScoutI was so excited when we got here. The sites are spacious and it’s really beautiful. But 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. I could not enjoy myself after having 3 biting me at one time. My husband had just come out of the shower and found 2 on him( not yet attached). Also the bathroom s don’t have shelves and the showers are not very convenient. You have to come out practically naked to get your towel. And since none of the sites have sewers you have to use them.
Camping near Belmar, New Jersey, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Belmar, New Jersey, offers a variety of experiences, from serene nature to family-friendly activities. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping areas near Belmar, NJ?
Several quality camping options are available within 30-45 minutes of Belmar. Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold offers a peaceful county park experience with spacious sites, a 17-acre lake, and hiking trails about 25 minutes from Belmar. For those seeking military history alongside camping, Allaire State Park provides tent sites, group gathering areas, and a historical village with blacksmith demonstrations just 20 minutes inland. Additional options in the region include Pine Cone Resort near Freehold and Timberland Lake Campground in Cream Ridge, both offering family-friendly environments within reasonable driving distance of Belmar's beaches.
Are there seasonal restrictions for camping in the Belmar area?
Camping in the Belmar area generally follows seasonal patterns typical of the Jersey Shore region. Most private campgrounds like Sea Pirate Campground in West Creek operate from early spring through late fall, with peak season running Memorial Day through Labor Day. Public facilities such as Atsion Family Camp in Wharton State Forest may have more limited seasonal availability, typically opening in April and closing in October. Winter camping options are significantly reduced, with most facilities closing or offering limited services. Always check with specific campgrounds for their exact operating dates, as these can vary from year to year based on weather conditions and maintenance schedules.
What amenities are available at camping sites close to Belmar?
Campgrounds near Belmar offer various amenities to enhance your stay. Butterfly Camping Resort in Jackson provides large, shaded sites with 50-amp electric, water, sewer, and cable hookups. The resort features a fishing lake, playground, and organized activities for children. At Baker's Acres Campground in Little Egg Harbor, you'll find level back-in sites with full hookups including 50-amp electric service, water, sewer, and cable connections that can accommodate larger RVs. Many campgrounds in the region also offer clean bathrooms, shower facilities, and convenient access to area attractions.
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