Cabin camping options near Belmar, New Jersey range from rustic accommodations to more comfortable units with varying amenities. Allaire State Park's cabins provide a no-frills experience with four bunks, a picnic table, and wood stove for heat but no electricity. Butterfly Camping Resort offers cabin rentals that accommodate families seeking more developed facilities while maintaining an outdoor camping experience. Most cabin facilities in the region operate seasonally, with availability limited primarily to the warmer months from April through October.
What to do
Fishing at multiple locations: Turkey Swamp Park features a stocked fishing lake where visitors can try their luck. "They sell bait at the Ranger office," notes Katheryn N. The park also offers boat rentals in summer months, with one visitor stating, "Kayaking/Canoeing, fishing, and swimming. Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from."
Archery opportunities: Turkey Swamp Park maintains an archery range for visitors interested in target practice. "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels," advises Patrick M. This makes for a unique outdoor activity not commonly found at other campgrounds in the region.
Winter activities: For those considering off-season visits, some parks offer winter recreation. "Ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods," mentions a Turkey Swamp Park visitor. At Allaire State Park, winter camping provides a different experience. "Getting a cabin in the winter and going for a snowy hike is wondrful there," reports Patrick M.
What campers like
Beach proximity: Many camping areas provide relatively easy access to shore destinations. At Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area, "Ocean is close with lifeguards. Good fishing and pleasant people. Boat from New York City," writes Stanley S. Another camper at Allaire State Park mentions, "A really nice bike ride to Ocean Grove and other beach towns."
Wooded settings: Unlike some developed campgrounds, several parks maintain natural forest environments. At Butterfly Camping Resort, "The campground was very well taken care of. The sites had good tree coverage and we didn't feel like we were right on top of the next site," reports Caitlin F. Another visitor notes that Timberland Lake "has a pretty lake, a bridge and is very woodsy, not just a camper parking lot like some other campgrounds."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds receiving positive reviews typically maintain good sanitation standards. One camper at Turkey Swamp Park noted, "The campground was super clean too. It was perfect!" Another visitor commented on "Very clean. Soap and paper towels are provided" in the bathhouse.
What you should know
Road noise concerns: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby highways. At Cheesequake State Park, "The Parkway is right there so its not a nice quiet place." Another visitor noted, "Close to the parkway, constant road noise."
Ticks and insects: The region's wooded environments host active tick populations. At Turkey Swamp Park, one camper 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." At Allaire State Park, a visitor warned, "Ticks galore."
Variable campsite quality: Site conditions can differ significantly between and within campgrounds. At Pine Cone Resort, "Camp sites are close together with no privacy but decent sized. You get a table, fire ring without a grill, water, electric, and enough room for a large cabin tent or a few small tents." At Timberland, one camper noted, "Small camp site. Fire ring seemed to be an old truck rim (no grill, but they'll sell you one 🙄). Old beat up picnic table in the weeds."
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Timberland Lake Campground provides numerous organized events for children. "We LOVE camping here in the fall!! 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." Another visitor confirmed, "Plenty to do over a 2 night stay. Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking."
Pool considerations: Swimming pools are available at several campgrounds but may have capacity limitations. At Timberland Lake, "Due to covid restrictions the pool was limited to 71 people at a time and was plenty crowded! I'd hate to see it at full capacity!" Butterfly Camping Resort visitors noted, "The pool was nice but very cold!!!!"
Playground accessibility: When selecting a site, consider proximity to play areas. At Turkey Swamp Park, there are "age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office." Butterfly Camping Resort also features "a big playground and lots of activities for the kids."
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: RV campers should note hookup placements which can affect setup. At NWS Earle RV Park, "Power is at the far back & sewage is in the middle (left to right). A longer camper will be parked over the sewage connection." At Turkey Swamp Park, one visitor advised to "bring a LONG water hose."
Site surface materials: Be prepared for the predominant ground covering at your campground. Timberland Lake Campground has "sand for all pull-throughs. They do offer full hookups that include cable if you have the outdoor wire." One RVer noted their biggest issue was "Sand... so hard even with rugs to pull out of trailer."
Limited sewer connections: Not all parks offer full hookups. Cheesequake State Park provides electric hookups but no water or sewer at sites. A visitor noted, "Since none of the sites have sewers you have to use them [bathrooms]." At Turkey Swamp, however, "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest."
