Best Campgrounds near Cream Ridge, NJ

Central New Jersey's Cream Ridge area features a variety of established campgrounds within a 30-minute drive radius. Timberland Lake Campground, located directly in Cream Ridge, operates from March through December with full hookup sites for RVs and tent camping areas. Nearby Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold Township offers a more rustic county park camping experience with pull-through sites surrounded by forest vegetation for privacy. The region balances private resort-style campgrounds like Butterfly Camping Resort in Jackson with more natural settings at Brendan Byrne State Forest, which remains open year-round for primitive camping experiences. Most facilities accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several offering cabin rentals for those seeking additional comfort.

Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with the primary camping season running April through October. Sandy soil conditions are common throughout the region, creating potential challenges during rainy periods. As one camper noted about Turkey Swamp Park, "The sites are all pullthrough with lots of vegetation for privacy, but none of the roads are paved - all packed sand. We could tell it rained recently because of the muddy tracks." Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holiday periods when facilities reach capacity. Cell service varies by location but tends to be adequate in most developed campgrounds, while more remote forest sites may have limited connectivity.

Visitors frequently mention the family-friendly atmosphere at many Cream Ridge area campgrounds. Swimming pools are common amenities at private campgrounds, while fishing opportunities exist at several locations including Turkey Swamp Park's 17-acre lake. "This was my favorite campground on our trip! There's a rustic retro quality to the place," reported one Turkey Swamp visitor. Campers at Butterfly Camping Resort praised the "large playground and lots of activities for kids" along with "trees and shrubs separating the sites" for privacy. The region's campgrounds typically provide standard amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and shower facilities, though quality and maintenance levels vary by location. The proximity to both Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore makes the area popular for weekend getaways.

Best Camping Sites Near Cream Ridge, New Jersey (95)

    1. Turkey Swamp Park

    28 Reviews
    Freehold, NJ
    12 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. Timberland Lake Campground

    12 Reviews
    Cream Ridge, NJ
    3 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."

    3. Butterfly Camping Resort

    10 Reviews
    Toms River, NJ
    12 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! "

    4. Brendan Byrne State Forest

    18 Reviews
    Chatsworth, NJ
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (609) 726-1191

    $3 - $60 / night

    "Campsite decent size, but some don't have clear boundaries to neighbors, and sometimes not optimally configured (e.g., the site next door's fire pit was placed on the edge of its site/right next to my"

    "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!"

    5. Tip Tam Camping Resort

    9 Reviews
    Toms River, NJ
    13 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."

    6. Allaire State Park - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    18 Reviews
    Allenwood, NJ
    20 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."

    7. Indian Rock RV Resort and Campground

    3 Reviews
    Cream Ridge, NJ
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (732) 928-0034

    $78 - $98 / night

    "We had a bad luck of the draw being next to a very loud, inebriated family with unruly dogs but luckily they only were there the one night."

    "Unfortunately, the bathhouse near our site had no hot water, but they were working on it, so I’m sure it won’t be for long. Well stocked store. It was our very first camping day."

    8. Pine Cone Resort

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

    "No hiking trails. No pond or lake for fishing.

    $50 per night"

    9. Adventure Bound Camping (Tall Pines)

    3 Reviews
    Roosevelt, NJ
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (856) 451-7479

    "My 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."

    10. Military Park Fort Dix Range 14 Camp

    1 Review
    New Egypt, NJ
    9 miles
    +1 (609) 562-6667

    $20 / night

    "We 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."

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Recent Reviews near Cream Ridge, NJ

596 Reviews of 95 Cream Ridge Campgrounds


  • Jessica V.
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Tohickon Family Campground

    Great weekend spot

    We went with friends for a weekend. Both families have little kids and it was a great spot with a playground, construction digging area, and a bunch of activities for the kids to do. We went in September so the pool was closed but it looked like a nice size. Full hook ups which was great! Also they have a nice stream that everyone went fishing at. They are building some new sites at the end of the property.

  • 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.

  • Erik W.
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Boulder Woods Campground

    Amazing campground with helpful staff and disc golf course

    The name says it all. It has boulders and woods.  The spots are tight to get into but the staff will offer to park your camper using your vehicle. I let them park mine and I'm really glad I did.  It was super tight.  Gorgeous place though.  They also have a disc golf course and they rent and sell discs.  That's where we fell in love with disc golf.

    We stayed there in August 2017.

  • M
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Holly Acres RV Park

    Nice campground

    The sites are on the smallish side, but the staff is super nice and the facilities are maintained and clean

  • Jesse G.
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Brendan Byrne State Forest

    Clean, Friendly but Unclear and Arbitrary Rules

    Overall 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.

  • T
    Jun. 21, 2025

    Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake

    VERY FRIENDLY AND ACCOMMODATING STAFF

    Very 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.

  • Howard P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2025

    Adventure Bound Camping (Tall Pines)

    Beautiful and family oriented

    My 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.


Guide to Cream Ridge

Camping near Cream Ridge, New Jersey, offers a mix of outdoor fun and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a lively campground, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Fishing and boating: Many campgrounds, like Turkey Swamp Park, have lakes where you can fish and rent boats. One visitor mentioned, "The lake has fishing & boat rentals. No gas motors."
  • Hiking: Trails are available at places like Brendan Byrne State Forest, where you can enjoy nature walks. A camper noted, "There’s a 12-13 mile loop with a nice lake area about 3/4 of the way through that is really nice."
  • Playgrounds and activities: Campgrounds such as Wading Pines Camping Resort offer playgrounds and organized activities. A reviewer shared, "The place was clean, and there was no garbage around."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One visitor at Bass River State Forest said, "The campground was clean and well maintained."
  • Friendly staff: Many campers mention the helpfulness of the staff. A review for Baker's Acres Campground stated, "The staff was GREAT! Very polite, courteous and helpful!"
  • Family-friendly atmosphere: Campgrounds like Timberland Lake Campground are known for being great for families. A camper noted, "Plenty of activities for kids with park area and pool."

What you should know:

  • Noise levels: Some campgrounds are near roads, which can lead to noise. A camper at Atsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest mentioned, "There is also a fair amount of plane traffic from a small local airport."
  • Limited cell service: Many areas have poor cell reception. A visitor at Brendan Byrne State Forest noted, "There is little to no signal inside the park."
  • Seasonal campers: Some campgrounds, like Wading Pines Camping Resort, have many seasonal sites, which can make it feel crowded. One review said, "It resembled a trailer park, but one without any rules governing the appearance or cleanliness."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Look for amenities: Choose campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. A family at Baker's Acres Campground enjoyed the "large play area and had a blast on the hayride."
  • Plan for bugs: Summer camping can mean bugs. A camper at Bass River State Forest warned, "There were many bugs and many of them got in my tent."
  • Check for activities: Look for campgrounds that offer organized events. A visitor at Timberland Lake Campground mentioned, "They do their own haunted walk through that is just awesome!"

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Some campgrounds have tight spaces for larger RVs. A review for Wading Pines Camping Resort noted, "The campground spots were right on top of one another."
  • Bring your own equipment: Many campgrounds allow golf carts or bikes for easier navigation. A camper at Timberland Lake Campground said, "They do also offer golf cart rental for those wanting to explore the park."
  • Be prepared for sandy sites: Some campgrounds have sandy ground, which can be messy. A visitor at Timberland Lake Campground mentioned, "The sand for all pull-throughs... so hard even with rugs to pull out of trailer."

Camping near Cream Ridge, New Jersey, has something for everyone. Whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure, you'll find a spot that fits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Cream Ridge, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, Cream Ridge, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 95 campgrounds and RV parks near Cream Ridge, NJ and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Cream Ridge, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cream Ridge, NJ is Turkey Swamp Park with a 4.4-star rating from 28 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cream Ridge, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Cream Ridge, NJ.