Best Campgrounds near Colts Neck, NJ

Camping options near Colts Neck, New Jersey range from established campgrounds to resort-style facilities within a 30-minute drive. Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold Township provides tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations with electric hookups and water access on a 17-acre lake. The NWS Earle RV Park in Colts Neck itself offers military camping facilities, while Allaire State Park and Cheesequake State Park provide additional public land camping alternatives. Most campgrounds in the region feature mixed-use sites that accommodate both tent and RV campers, with several offering cabin rentals for those seeking more comfortable accommodations.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability in central New Jersey, with many campgrounds operating from April through November. Turkey Swamp Park operates from April 1 to November 15, while Cheesequake State Park maintains a similar season from April 1 to October 31. Several private campgrounds like Pine Cone Resort and Butterfly Camping Resort offer amenities including electric hookups, water access, and sanitary facilities. Most sites require advance reservations, especially during summer weekends when facilities reach capacity. One camper noted, "This was our first trip to Butterfly and we will be back! Large playground and lots of activities for the kids. Site was large, and had trees and shrubs separating the sites."

Waterfront access represents a common feature at highly-rated campgrounds in the region. Turkey Swamp Park receives consistently positive reviews for its lake access, with one visitor sharing, "The lake has fishing and boat rentals. No gas motors. There's no swimming at the lake." Campers frequently mention the wooded settings that provide privacy between sites at facilities like Butterfly Camping Resort. While highway noise can be an issue at some locations like Cheesequake State Park due to its proximity to the Garden State Parkway, most campgrounds offer sufficient tree cover and separation between sites. Family-friendly amenities are common, with many campgrounds featuring playgrounds, swimming pools, and organized activities, particularly at private resorts like Butterfly Camping Resort and Pine Cone Resort.

Best Camping Sites Near Colts Neck, New Jersey (56)

    1. Turkey Swamp Park

    29 Reviews
    Freehold, NJ
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (732) 462-7286

    $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"

    2. Allaire State Park - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    18 Reviews
    Allenwood, NJ
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (732) 938-2371

    "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."

    3. Cheesequake State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Matawan, NJ
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (732) 566-2161

    $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."

    4. Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area

    19 Reviews
    Atlantic Highlands, NJ
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (347) 630-1124

    $30 - $50 / 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."

    5. Pine Cone Resort

    7 Reviews
    Freehold, NJ
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (732) 462-2230

    "No hiking trails. No pond or lake for fishing. 50 per night"

    6. Butterfly Camping Resort

    10 Reviews
    Toms River, NJ
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (732) 928-2107

    $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! "

    7. Tip Tam Camping Resort

    9 Reviews
    Toms River, NJ
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (732) 363-4036

    "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."

    8. Timberland Lake Campground

    12 Reviews
    Cream Ridge, NJ
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (732) 928-0500

    "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."

    9. Pleasant Valley Lavender

    1 Review
    Aberdeen, NJ
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (732) 740-4832

    $35 - $50 / night

    "So pleasant to sleep near the blooming fields. Campsite is tucked in the woods with. Tent camping in peace and quiet with easy access to major roads and highways to explore central NJ"

    10. NWS Earle RV Park

    1 Review
    Colts Neck, NJ
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (732) 866-2448

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Colts Neck, NJ

407 Reviews of 56 Colts Neck Campgrounds


  • Gennifer K.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Sea Pirate Campground

    Lots to do

    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. Bathrooms were very clean and well maintained. They had several activities and sent text reminders of what was going on

  • S
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Turkey Swamp Park

    Private wooded sites

    Nice, remote, private. Some sites unlevel. Bring a LONG water hose. Nice lake. Showers and washers and dryers.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Liberty Harbor RV Park

    Functional with excellent access to the City

    Very plain & functional, no frills but right on the harbor & on the very edge of Jersey City, close to a ferry & the train that takes u across to New York City. Shopping & restraunts are right next door. We brought scooters & had a great stay! Plus you can see the Statue of Liberty from there!

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Batona — Wharton State Forest

    Good spot to sleep

    The camp road was kinda hard to get around direction wise you couldn’t tell what was a road and what was a campsite. It was Saturday night and only two other campers but one was a huge group but thankfully not too loud. Two pit toilets that was pretty bad shape but we are used to disperse camping without toilets so we didn’t complain.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Washington Crossing State Park - TEMP CLOSED FOR 2024

    History and Camping with Revolutionary Limits

    Washington Crossing Historic Park, straddling Pennsylvania and New Jersey along the Delaware River, is one of those rare places where you can literally camp in history. The Pennsylvania side is all about historic buildings, museums and picnic spots, while the New Jersey side (Washington Crossing State Park) offers organized group tent camping. This isn’t the place for a cushy RV getaway or individual tenters looking to sneak in for the night, but rather a structured, group-style camping steeped in Revolutionary War atmosphere. First impressions? More Boy Scout jamboree than weekend getaway, but if you’re here for camaraderie and heritage, you’ve hit the mark.

    Facilities are deliberately minimal. On the Pennsylvania side, camping is limited to a handful of Scout-designated sites with portable toilets, no running water and zero frills. Across the river in New Jersey, the official group camping area provides open tent-only sites with no hookups, no pets and strict quiet hours. Think old-school camping: fire rings, pit toilets and a heavy dose of ‘leave no trace’ ethos. Reservations are required, permits are non-negotiable and the max stay tops out at 14 nights. What you do get is a wide, peaceful forest setting with plenty of space for tents, youth groups or scout troops along with the kind of simplicity that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

    Beyond the tent pads, the surrounding parks are rich with history and outdoor options. On the Pennsylvania side, you’ll find the visitor center, historic McConkey’s Ferry Inn, Bowman’s Hill Tower, and interpretive programs that bring the Revolutionary War era to life. Picnic areas and a boat launch offer ways to enjoy the Delaware River. In New Jersey, miles of wooded trails lead you through rolling hills and historic landscapes, perfect for hiking and birdwatching. It’s a spot where history buffs, scouts and nature seekers can all find common ground.

    Insider Tips? Here’s a handful: (1) The best group sites are the ones tucked furthest from the trailhead as (surprise, surprise) they’re quieter and offer more privacy; (2) Stock up before arriving, as there are no supply stores inside the park, so head on over to nearby Weis Markets in Langhorne or ShopRite in Fairless Hills, both of which are on the PA-side; (3) Be sure to bring all your own water as none is available onsite; (4) Kayakers should launch from the Pennsylvania side’s boat access for an iconic paddle on the Delaware River; (5) Visit the park’s historic reenactments, especially the Christmas Day Crossing event as it’s easily the most memorable history lesson you’ll ever get outdoors; and (6) When you’re done camping, fuel up at It’s Nutts Restaurant on the Jersey side in Titusville for classic diner-style comfort food or Francisco’s on the River for Italian fare with Delaware River views.

    Happy Camping!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Liberty Harbor RV Park

    friendly staff at the office

    Gave us a welcome folder with lots of helpful info, can walk to get food up the street, short drive to Liberty Park where we got out and walked at night to admire the city skyline and Statue of Liberty at night. They have hook ups and big laundry room.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Round Valley State Park Campground

    Get Your Hard-Core Hiking In To Enjoy This CG

    Located just south of I78 and near the small hamlets of Clinton and Lebanon, what I love most about Round Valley SP is the fact that it has its very own eponymous fresh water reservoir, which spanning some 2,350 acres and is 180 feed deep in the middle, this body of water provides a solid amount of upside for anyone wanting to kayak, canoe or swim. One of the greatest assets at this particular SP CG are the wonderful rangers who keep this place in such tip-top condition year-round. From the North Picnic Area, Bray’s Hill Preserve and Round Valley Beachhead to the East Picnic Area, Round Valley Farm on the eastern side of the reservoir as well as Round Valley Rec Area, there’s a lot to explore at this SP.

    One interesting fact about this place– believe it or not– it is the only NJ SP that actually offers up true wilderness camping(a.k.a. primitive), which can only be accessed by hiking 3 to 6 miles– or if you come with your own boat, you can access by water– and can be found on the SE corner of the reservoir. There is a second area nearby called Spruce Run Recreation Area that can be accessed by driving to this location, which is on the other side of I78 NW of Round Valley SP. That said, if you’re looking to camp here at Round Valley, I highly recommend you boat in as the hiking path is incredibly difficult to manage without hauling all of your camping gear, so coming in with a ton of gear is even more difficult/ prohibitive.

    When you finally do arrive to this primitive CG immersed in NJ’s thick wild foliage, you’ll experience waterfront bliss with a crystalline bevy of trout-infused reservoir water, and you won’t get much in the way of amenities, apart from a few random water pumps and some rocks piled in a circle that, um, I guess makes up a fire ring. While there are backwoods-style bathroom pits, these are very ill-managed and you’ll come across the‘stank’ well before actually even arriving here, so we just didn’t use them. There’s picnic tables, but the one we had was in pretty rough condition. The thing I found odd about the place is that after hiking so far in to get to this location, you’re not allowed to swim in the reservoir, which kind of defeats the entire point IMHO. That said, the views are amazing and because there’s nothing else in these parts, you will experience true peace in nature.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few:(1) Whether hiking or kayaking to this CG, you will want to bring as little with you as possible– packing too much to come here just isn’t worth the work;(2) We found parking in the Southern Lot to be perfectly fine and while we were initially worried about leaving our vehicle parked there for a few nights, we were reassured by the park rangers who patrol the lot constantly;(3) While the water in the reservoir may look crystal clear, it is not crystal clean and I would STRONGLY encourage anyone who thinks that it is OK to drink from the reservoir to at least use a Life Straw to ensure they don’t get sick;(4) I have hiked throughout the entire US and consider myself somewhere between a moderate to skilled hiker and I found these trails challenging and uneven, so while the hike we made was only 3 miles, it was not easy and I would be worried about someone breaking an ankle getting to this CG– so at a minimum, ensure you are wearing proper hiking boots. Seriously, for what this SP puts you through to access this CG one really needs to question why they’re being charged anything at all in the first place.

    Happy Camping!

  • J
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Turkey Swamp Park

    Fantastic camping ground

    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!

  • Scott K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Bass River State Forest

    Fantastic Experience

    My 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.


Guide to Colts Neck

Tent and RV camping sites can be found throughout Monmouth County with several options within a 30-minute drive of Colts Neck. The area features sandy soil common in the coastal plain region, with elevations generally below 100 feet above sea level. Central New Jersey's camping season typically runs from early spring through late fall, with most locations closing during winter months.

What to do

Hiking trails and nature walks: Turkey Swamp Park offers several short hiking trails with the longest measuring 2.5 miles. "There are several short hiking trails that are fairly well-marked but can be a bit confusing at times. Some sections of the trails were muddy due to swamps and bogs but passable," notes Lee D.

Water activities: Multiple campgrounds provide fishing and boating options. At Turkey Swamp Park, "Kayaking/Canoeing, fishing, and swimming. In the summer, canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental," according to a camper. Another visitor mentioned, "The lake has fishing and boat rentals. No gas motors."

Winter recreation: Some parks remain open for winter activities. At Allaire State Park, Patrick M. recommends "Getting a cabin in the winter and going for a snowy hike is wonderful there." Another camper noted you can "ice skate on the lake in the winter" at Turkey Swamp Park.

What campers like

Spacious, private campsites: Many campsites in the area provide good separation between neighbors. At Turkey Swamp Park, "Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy. A lantern hook, picnic table, and fire ring complete each site," according to one camper.

Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities are frequently mentioned. Butterfly Camping Resort received praise for having "some of the cleanest bath houses I've seen at a campground." Another camper noted the campground is "very well taken care of."

Nature immersion without isolation: Camping near Colts Neck offers a balance of wooded settings with convenient access to amenities. "This is a wooded campground with potholes that can swallow a small trailer," warns one camper about Timberland Lake Campground, while another praises it for being "very woodsy, not just a camper parking lot like some other campgrounds."

What you should know

Tick awareness: Ticks can be a problem in central New Jersey woodlands. One camper at Turkey Swamp Park 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."

Highway noise: Several campgrounds are situated near major roadways. At Cheesequake State Park Campground, "the Parkway runs through/over the park, you will be able to hear traffic noises," according to Katrina Z. Another camper described it as "Urban Camping in crazy town."

Sandy soil conditions: The regional terrain includes sandy sites that can be challenging. At Timberland Lake Campground, one RVer noted their "biggest issue is the sand for all pull-throughs" and that it's "so hard even with rugs to pull out of trailer."

Tips for camping with families

Playgrounds and organized activities: Family-friendly amenities are abundant. Pine Cone Resort offers "playground, pool, big open fields, horseshoes, basketball hoop," according to Jesse C. Butterfly Camping Resort provides "tons of activities for the kids" including "a tractor ride, kickball, and a pool movie night."

Halloween camping events: Fall camping offers special activities for children. At Timberland Lake Campground, one camper shared, "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!"

Beach proximity: For families wanting to combine camping with beach trips, locations like Sandy Hook provide convenient access. "Ocean is close with lifeguards," notes one camper. From Allaire State Park, Dan X. mentioned "A really nice bike ride to Ocean Grove and other beach towns."

Tips from RVers

Hookup considerations: Electric and water connections vary between campgrounds. At Tip Tam Camping Resort, Aaron E. stayed on "site 38. It was a really nice size, and the kids could fish right off the dock on the back." Another RVer at Turkey Swamp Park advised to "Bring a LONG water hose."

Seasonal differences: Weather conditions impact RV camping comfort. At Cheesequake State Park, an RVer mentioned staying "in a travel trailer. Longish bike ride or shortish drive to the main park." Winter camping options are limited, but some parks like Allaire State Park remain open year-round with "cabins a couple times. Love the area lots to do hiking fishing nature walks."

Military options: Active duty and retired military personnel can access NWS Earle RV Park in Colts Neck. "Small campground with 8 spaces in the main area and 7 in an adjacent area. All spaces are level concrete with full hookups and attached concrete patio," reports Jeffrey.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Colts Neck, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, Colts Neck, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 56 campgrounds and RV parks near Colts Neck, NJ and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Colts Neck, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Colts Neck, NJ is Turkey Swamp Park with a 4.4-star rating from 29 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Colts Neck, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Colts Neck, NJ.