M
Michael M.
Scout
ScoutTurkey Swamp Park
Water/power at the campsite, and and centrally located dump station. Lots of trees and nice separation of sites
Camping near Freehold, NJ
2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Camping opportunities around Freehold, New Jersey range from established campgrounds to full-service RV resorts within a 20-mile radius. Turkey Swamp Park, a county park with 2,283 acres and a 17-acre lake, offers pull-through sites with good vegetation for privacy. Several mixed-use campgrounds like Pine Cone Resort and Butterfly Camping Resort provide tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations. Most camping areas in the region operate seasonally, with the majority open from April through October or November, catering to visitors seeking outdoor recreation options near the Jersey Shore.
Access to camping areas varies by property, with most established campgrounds offering paved or packed sand roads. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during summer months when facilities fill quickly. As one visitor noted, "None of the roads are paved. All are packed sand. We could tell it rained recently because of the muddy tracks." Many campgrounds near Freehold provide water and electric hookups, with some offering full sewer connections for RVs. Visitors should prepare for variable weather conditions, as summer temperatures can be hot and humid while spring and fall bring cooler temperatures and occasional rainfall that may affect site conditions.
The camping experience in this region often features wooded sites with partial privacy. Turkey Swamp Park receives high praise from visitors for its natural setting and amenities. A camper described it as having "a rustic retro quality to the place. I adored the campsites and I didn't see any really bad ones." Butterfly Camping Resort stands out for its family-friendly atmosphere, with reviewers mentioning its "large playground and lots of activities for kids." Most tent and RV sites in the region include picnic tables and fire rings, with many campgrounds providing additional amenities like swimming pools, fishing lakes, and hiking trails. The proximity to urban areas means most campgrounds maintain reliable cell service, though visitors seeking a more remote experience may need to venture further into rural areas of New Jersey.
Best Campgrounds near Freehold (73)
1. Turkey Swamp Park
"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!"
"Turkey Swamp is a county park located in Monmouth County, NJ. This beautiful park has some of the nicest campsites in a wooded area."
Check Availabilityfrom $42 - $79 / night
2. Allaire State Park - TEMPORARILY CLOSED
"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
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $200 / night
4. Butterfly Camping Resort
"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! "
Check Availabilityfrom $64 - $78 / night
6. Tip Tam Camping Resort
"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."
7. Timberland Lake Campground
"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."
8. Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area
"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."
"Sites are walk-in (only about¼ mile) and carts are available to haul gear. Two water spigots and bathrooms with flush toilets are also on-premise. No electric, hook-ups, or showers."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 - $50 / night
9. Adventure Bound Camping (Tall Pines)
"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. NWS Earle RV Park
"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."
Drive Time
- 32 min from Trenton, NJ
- 51 min from Philadelphia, PA
- 56 min from New York, NY
- 1 hr 13 min from Atlantic City, NJ
Recent Camping Photos near Freehold, NJ
167 Photos of 73 Freehold Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Turkey Swamp ParkJ
Inn the WoodsN
Pleasant Valley LavenderE
Allaire State Park - TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Adventure Bound Camping (Tall Pines)
Tip Tam Camping Resort
Butterfly Camping Resort
Cheesequake State Park CampgroundK
Timberland Lake Campground
Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area
Staten Island — Gateway National Recreation Area - CLOSED for 2025
Brendan Byrne State ForestL
Recent Reviews near Freehold, NJ
494 Reviews of 73 Freehold Campgrounds
Stuart K.
LegendWashington Crossing State Park - TEMP CLOSED FOR 2024
Revolutionary History near Delaware River
Nestled along the picturesque Delaware River in beautiful Bucks County, Washington Crossing Historic Park is one of those destinations where American history practically jumps out from behind every tree. This sprawling, beautifully preserved historic park commemorates George Washington's daring Christmas night crossing of the Delaware in 1776, with charming colonial buildings, expansive green spaces, shaded walking paths and lovely riverfront scenery. Divided into Upper and Lower sections, the park offers plenty to explore, from historic homesteads and interpretive exhibits to scenic picnic areas and the impressive Bowman's Hill Tower. Unfortunately, while the park delivers a wonderful outdoor experience, traditional overnight camping isn't part of the equation unless your a Boy Scout or accompanying one of their troops.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spectacular Revolutionary War history at the very site of Washington's legendary Delaware River crossing; (2) Beautifully maintained grounds featuring mature trees, open lawns and scenic riverfront views; (3) Fascinating colonial-era buildings, historic demonstrations and educational exhibits that bring America's founding history to life; (4) Wonderful recreational opportunities, including walking, cycling, fishing, kayaking and picnicking; and (5) Convenient proximity to charming New Hope, the Delaware Canal towpath and Bowman's Hill Tower, offering plenty of opportunities to extend your adventure.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) No conventional public tent or RV camping, with overnight group camping restricted to organized Scout groups by prior arrangement; (2) No dedicated RV campsites, electrical hookups, water connections or dump station; (3) Park grounds generally close at sunset, limiting opportunities to linger into the evening; (4) Some historic buildings and attractions require admission fees or operate on limited schedules; and (5) Periodic restoration projects and special events can restrict access to certain areas, while the historic Washington Crossing Bridge's three-ton weight limit makes it unsuitable for larger RVs.
Happy Camping!
- Stuart K.Legend
Lowe's - W Windsor
Upscale Parking Paradise at This Home Fixer-Upper
Located just off US Route 1 in the upscale Princeton area, this spacious Lowe's serves up a surprisingly pleasant patch of pavement for weary road warriors looking to catch some shut-eye. Set back roughly 80 yards from the highway, this big blue home improvement retailer offers a generously sized parking lot with relatively manageable traffic, good maneuverability and a quieter atmosphere than you might expect from such a busy suburban retail corridor. The western and southern edges of the lot are particularly appealing for an overnight stay, and with Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several other retailers nearby, convenience certainly isn't in short supply. Better yet, the store management was friendly and accommodating when we called ahead to arrange our overnight visit.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spacious, paved parking lot with plenty of room to maneuver larger rigs; (2) Convenient access to US Route 1 and nearby I-95; (3) Western and southern parking areas offer quieter spots away from the busiest customer traffic; (4) Excellent nearby conveniences, including Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several dining options; and (5) Friendly store management that welcomed our overnight stay, plus surprisingly good opportunities for outdoor recreation nearby.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) Some daytime retail traffic and occasional road noise, although nothing terribly disruptive; (2) No RV hookups, dump station or dedicated overnight camping facilities; (3) Parking areas closest to the store can become crowded during business hours; (4) Limited greenery and little of the scenery you'd expect from a traditional campground; and (5) While the overnight experience was excellent, this is still a commercial parking lot rather than a destination for an extended stay.
Happy Overnighting!
Maria Mercedes M.LegendRound Valley State Park Campground
Peaceful Wilderness Escape for Adventurous Families
There's something wonderfully special about escaping into nature where the only sounds are rustling leaves, birds singing and the gentle movement of water along the shoreline. Nestled among the wooded hills surrounding the beautiful Round Valley Reservoir, this rustic SP campground offers families a chance to disconnect from everyday distractions and enjoy a little wilderness adventure together. Unlike traditional campgrounds, the campsites are accessible only by hiking or boating, so getting anywhere here requires some planning and a willingness to travel light. Once you've arrived, you'll find secluded, wooded campsites with picnic tables, fire rings and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Amenities are basic, with pit toilets and no showers, but the beautiful reservoir, scenic hiking trails, fishing and kayaking opportunities more than make up for the lack of modern conveniences. Our kids loved exploring the woods, spotting wildlife and gathering around a crackling campfire at night to share stories beneath the stars. For families comfortable with the hike, I'd recommend choosing one of the campsites along the reservoir shoreline for the lovely water views and peaceful surroundings. Just remember that swimming is limited to the park's designated beach area. Round Valley isn't your typical family campground, but for adventurous families who enjoy hiking, camping under the stars and making wonderful memories together, it's a beautiful place to experience nature at its finest!
- bbob J.
GuideAtsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest
Pine Barrens New Jersey
This campground is part of the Wharton State Forest and has several campgrounds in the area. Great wooded sites right on a lake. Pretty good separation between sites with good tree separation between sites. Some road noise not overly affecting site.
- DDiane M.Scout
Brendan Byrne State Forest
Just ok
Restrooms are filthy with mold and mildew.
Water puddled on the restroom floor.really gross.
Cabin was mostly clean. The windows were full of dirt and bugs on the tracks.mattresses were terrible.The fireplace was nice. Kitchen was clean.
Can t wait to move on to a cleaner park.
Edwin R.ScoutCheesequake State Park Campground
Park uses county cops to shut down park by 9pm.
On Friday, September 4, 2026, I rented a trailer and brought my family to Cheesequake State Park to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary over the extended Labor Day weekend. Around 9:20 PM—well before the park's designated 10:00 PM quiet hours—we were sitting inside our canopy, playing Jenga, and listening to low background music. Two officers from the Matawan Police Department approached our campsite. They were polite and courteous, simply offering a standard reminder to wrap things up by 10:00 PM. Before they could leave, however, a third, senior officer intervened. Wanting to"show them how it's done," he made the two polite officers return and stand by to watch as he demonstrated how to aggressively harass campers. Flashlight in hand, the senior officer approached with an immediate hostile attitude, treating us like criminals as he demanded to know who rented the site. He began reiterating rules and claimed we had too many vehicles. We had three cars, one belonging to my brother-in-law's girlfriend, who was visiting with her daughter. She had paid the$10 visitor fee at the main office and was instructed by staff to obtain the gate access code from us, the primary renters, if she got locked in. No staff member ever informed her of an 8:00 PM visitor departure deadline, leading us to reasonably assume visitors were permitted until quiet hours began at 10:00 PM. The officer rudely snapped that she had been given wrong information. The senior officer then used profanity in front of three small children, aggressively telling her to ("get her shit and get the fuck out!") in that manner or use profanity, the officer went from hostile to furious. He angrily declared that these were official violations and threatened that he could be issuing us tickets instead. Desperately searching for anything and everything to throw at us, he demanded that we turn off our idling car—which was supplying power to our campsite—and instructed us to make sure the campfire was doused before shutting down for the night. He then proceeded to shine his flashlight into our private setup—including our canopy, tents, and the inside of our trailer—searching for any other possible violation while the two polite officers were forced to watch. What was supposed to be a special 10th wedding anniversary celebration with my family was completely ruined by a senior officer misusing his authority to put on an unnecessary display of intimidation. Worse than just ruining our night, he spent that evening teaching those two police officers how to be bad cops. He corrupted two officers in real time, demonstrating firsthand exactly why most people have lost faith in the police force. The next day we was ready for them. We turned off our lights and quietly by the fire while they went next door to harass an asian family that had just set up camp and had their leds lights on.
Adeline M.GuideBrendan Byrne State Forest
Beautiful campground, loud campers
Beautiful campground but made the mistake of going on a holiday weekend, the campgrounds next to us were screaming and blasting music all day and throughout the night so we ended up leaving early. A beautiful campground when there aren’t noisy capers ruining it.
Kelvin R.ScoutTohickon Valley County Park
First time camping
As far as experience it was good. The main issue was the campsite where we were was uneven and caused many of the sleeping arrangements that we had to be not level. This seems to be a specific issue to the group campsite number two as when we went inwards it seemed like everything else was much better.
Guide to Freehold
Camping options near Freehold, New Jersey range from wooded county parks to private resorts with diverse amenities. The region sits in New Jersey's coastal plain at elevations between 50-250 feet, characterized by sandy soil and mixed hardwood forests. Most campgrounds in the area operate on dirt or sand surfaces rather than paved sites, which affects site conditions especially after rainfall.
What to do
Archery practice at Turkey Swamp Park: The park offers designated archery facilities for visitors to practice their skills. According to Dan W., "Plenty to do over a 2 night stay. Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking. Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from."
Wildlife viewing near Safari borders: Timberland Lake Campground provides unique wildlife viewing opportunities due to its location. One visitor noted, "Very close to Six Flags Great adventure. You can hear the lions in the morning. There is a road that goes between the campground and the Safari you can drive, walk, or bicycle down and see the animals!"
Mountain biking at Allaire State Park: The park offers trails for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced riders. A reviewer explained, "Mountain Biking from easy, paved trails to several miles of single track with everything in between. Working village and antique train are available most of the year."
Ice skating in winter months: Some parks offer seasonal activities beyond the typical camping season. As Patrick M. mentions about Turkey Swamp Park, "We go every year. It has everything the outdoorsman could ask for. Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels. Ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods."
What campers like
Spacious pull-through sites: Many campers appreciate the generous site dimensions at certain campgrounds. Jean T. notes, "This campground has all pull-through sites. Nicely wooded with water and electric. Be sure to bring extra hose because the water spigot is a distance from the electric. Sites are level and well maintained."
Halloween festivities: Fall camping is popular for special events. Jessica D. says about Timberland Lake Campground, "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."
Family activities at Butterfly Resort: Families appreciate the range of organized activities. As Caitlin F. explains, "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. There was tons of stuff to do. There's a pond to fish, trails to walk/bike, basketball, sand volleyball, the list goes on."
Natural setting with wildlife: Some campground areas offer unique wildlife experiences. JAEWOOK P. mentioned about Turkey Swamp Park, "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."
What you should know
Sandy soil conditions: Most campgrounds in the area have sand-based sites which affects camping comfort. One camper at Butterfly Camping Resort mentioned, "Sites are sand and dirt, so be prepared for that. Absolutely no WiFi signal at all. Most campers are seasonal and typical rude NJ ppl."
Tick awareness: Some wooded areas have tick concerns during warmer months. A visitor warned, "I 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."
Road noise: Proximity to highways affects sound levels at some campgrounds. A reviewer at Cheesequake State Park noted, "Like the title says, its ok. I think it would make a better day trip, family BBQ location. The Parkway is right there so its not a nice quiet place."
Early activity start times: Some campgrounds come alive early in the morning. Bill V. at Tip Tam Camping Resort observed, "The only downside I saw was people here are up way too early. 7am place was already loud. 7:45am a propane truck pulled in to fill the propane and was extremely loud. 8am people with leaf blowers and chopping wood. Don't expect to sleep past 7:30am."
Tips for camping with families
Pedal car activities: Tip Tam Camping Resort offers unique transportation options for children. As Jenn M. noted, "The place was fun.. they have peddle cars and playgrounds. They deliver wood to your site by the truck full! Nice little store and staff are all friendly."
Pool movie nights: Some campgrounds offer special evening entertainment. Caitlin F. mentioned, "Both nights we were there, there were events being put on (a tractor ride, kickball, and a pool movie night). There was also a dog park which was very nice!"
Winter cabin options: Consider off-season camping in cabins for a different experience. Patrick M. from Allaire State Park shared, "This may be my favorite spot. I have stayed in all the spots they offer, yurt, cabin and the pull up sites. Getting a cabin in the winter and going for a snowy hike is wonderful there."
Dog-friendly amenities: Pet owners appreciate designated areas for their animals. Caitlin F. mentioned, "There was also a dog park which was very nice! The staff was extremely kind and helpful and took great care of us! Overall I highly recommend this campground, very family friendly."
Tips from RVers
Utility location challenges: Setup may require extra equipment based on hookup placements. Jean T. advises, "Be sure to bring extra hose because the water spigot is a distance from the electric. Sites are level and well maintained."
Sand management strategies: RVers should prepare for sandy conditions. Matt S. noted, "There were two observations I'd categorize as 'no park is perfect.' The site was sandy. The whole place is sandy. This is messy, especially after a bit of rain(which we had), and makes it a constant challenge to keep the sand out of the RV."
Site selection importance: Choosing the right site affects comfort throughout your stay. Lee D. mentions about Sandy Hook Gateway, "The site was clean and accommodating. Great way to escape the city for a night if you can't make it upstate!"
Seasonal decoration opportunities: RV sites provide space for holiday decorations during special event weekends. Jessica D. observed, "They do their own haunted walk through that is just awesome! Everyone decorates. They have a dj every Saturday!"
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Freehold, NJ?
What camping is available near Freehold, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Freehold, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 73 campgrounds and RV parks near Freehold, NJ and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Freehold, NJ?
Which is the most popular campground near Freehold, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Freehold, NJ is Turkey Swamp Park with a 4.5-star rating from 33 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Freehold, NJ?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Freehold, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Freehold, NJ.
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