Camping options near Clark, New Jersey span from county parks to state forests across central and northern New Jersey. Most campsites sit at low elevations under 500 feet, with terrain transitioning from coastal plains to the rolling hills of the Watchung Mountains. Summer temperatures average 70-85°F while spring and fall camping seasons bring cooler 50-65°F conditions with occasional rain that affects the sandy soil common at regional campgrounds.
What to do
Boating and paddling activities: Turkey Swamp Park provides a 17-acre lake where visitors can rent kayaks, canoes, paddle boats and rowboats during summer months. According to Tylen L., "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."
Hiking opportunities: Stokes State Forest offers 21 marked trails covering over 63 miles, including 12 miles of the Appalachian Trail. A camper noted, "There are trail heads near the campsites and longer trails, including access to the Appalachian Trail within a short 10-15 minute drive."
Water recreation: Spruce Run Recreation Area provides multiple water activities at its reservoir. Frank J. shares, "Boats/Kayaks can be rented" and another camper mentions the "life guarded swimming area" that's available during summer months.
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Turkey Swamp Park receives praise for its layout and natural setting. Katheryn N. notes, "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."
Lakefront camping: Ocquittunk campground offers waterside sites that campers particularly enjoy. One review states, "We stayed at site #T007 is was a short walk from the car to the site, but so worth it for many reasons. The site itself is huge and we were able to position our tent facing the lake, it was beautiful!"
Access to nature: While horse campgrounds near Clark, New Jersey are limited, the regular campgrounds offer abundant wildlife experiences. At Mountainview Campground, a camper noted: "This is a smallish campground with many seasonal spots and some rental spots. Our spot was #27 and pretty spacious... Overall it was a nice stay and served our purpose. We don't need frills like a pool so we enjoyed it and would go again."
What you should know
Bathroom conditions vary: Facility quality differs significantly between campgrounds. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, one camper reported, "The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting. I thought with COVID they were cleaning them more, but for the entire weekend, someone's #2 remained all over the toilet, floor, and corner wall."
Insects and wildlife: Several parks report significant tick populations. A camper at Turkey Swamp Park warned, "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."
Noise levels: Traffic noise affects some otherwise peaceful locations. At Spruce Run, a reviewer noted, "The only con to this campground is it's proximity to the highway. You can hear 78, especially at night once the campground settles down."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Turkey Swamp Park provides multiple play areas for children. Dan W. shares, "Centralized playground for the kids with bathrooms and showers next door. Staff was awesome! Attentive and outgoing."
Budget-friendly options: For families seeking equestrian-oriented camping near Clark, exploring day-use options at regional parks might be necessary. While specialized horse campgrounds are limited, Mohican Outdoor Center offers group camping that can accommodate families. A camper describes, "The Group Campsite was really big. It had 5-6 platforms, privys, big fire ring, a grill, a beatbox, a large pavilion w/picnic tables and a real full sized bathroom only 100 yards away."
Safety considerations: Parents should be aware of natural hazards. Stokes State Forest requires proper food storage practices as noted by a camper: "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Liberty Harbor RV Park, location within the campground matters significantly. One RVer advises, "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."
Water and hookup planning: When seeking RV-friendly options near Clark, including potential equestrian facilities, prepare for limited hookups. At Turkey Swamp Park, a camper mentions, "Bring a LONG water hose" due to the distance between hookups and parking spots at some sites.
Road conditions: Many campgrounds have unpaved access roads. Lee D. observed at Turkey Swamp Park, "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."
Guide
