Turkey Swamp Park cabins near Fair Haven, New Jersey provide rustic accommodations in a forested setting about 25 minutes west of the coast. The park's three cabins operate seasonally from April through mid-November with specific amenities for campers seeking basic shelter. Some local cabin facilities require advance preparation due to limited electricity and water access.
What to do
Water activities at the lake: Turkey Swamp Park features a small lake with boating options during summer months. "Kayaking, Canoeing. The list goes on. I've been here a few times, every time I'm here I barely touch my phone," notes Tylen L. about the recreational opportunities available.
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park maintains an archery range for visitors looking for land-based recreation. "There is an archery range and a council ring (campfire)," describes Lee D., who visited the park in late April when the campground was only about 20% occupied.
Winter recreation: Some parks in the region offer seasonal activities not available during peak summer months. "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," says Patrick M. about winter recreational options.
Hiking opportunities: Several short trails provide nature exploration near cabin rentals. As one visitor noted, "Several short (longest one is 2.5 miles) 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."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Butterfly Camping Resort offers cabin accommodations with natural separation between sites. "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," explains Caitlin F., who visited for a weekend getaway.
Clean facilities: Many visitors appreciate well-maintained bathroom and shower facilities. "The bathrooms and showers are clean and well maintained," according to Katheryn N., who described Turkey Swamp as having "sites in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest."
Family-friendly activities: Multiple campgrounds offer structured programming for children. "There was tons of stuff to do. There's a pond to fish, trails to walk/bike, basketball, sand volleyball, the list goes on and on. Both nights we were there, there were events being put on (a tractor ride, kickball, and a pool movie night)," describes one recent visitor.
What you should know
Bug protection needed: Ticks and other insects can be problematic, particularly in wooded cabin areas. "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," cautions Laura Y. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Weather considerations: Rain can impact campground conditions significantly. "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," notes one camper who stayed at Turkey Swamp.
Seasonal closures: Several cabin rental facilities near Fair Haven operate only during specific months. "The campground was only about 20% occupied when we were there at the end of April, so our stay was a quiet one," explains a visitor, highlighting the lower occupancy during shoulder seasons.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly grounds: Timberland Lake Campground provides various amenities for children of different ages. "We went to timberland lake last fall. it happened to be the Halloween weekend which was full of excellent activities from pumpkin painting to piñatas and tricker treating. Lake was beautiful," reports Ann Marie M.
Bug-free experiences possible: Despite concerns about insects in wooded settings, timing can make a difference. "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," shares Jaewook P. about their Turkey Swamp experience.
Playground access: Most cabin rental facilities include play equipment for children. "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office," notes Lee D., providing specific details about amenity locations at Turkey Swamp Park.
Tips from RVers
Water hookup preparations: Pine Cone Resort and similar facilities have specific utility configurations. "Bring a LONG water hose," advises Shawn, highlighting an often overlooked preparation detail for those staying at sites with hookups.
Site conditions vary: Many campgrounds in the region have natural ground surfaces rather than improved pads. "Sand sites... Tight site & hard to get in/out for big rigs," reports Beth R. about one nearby campground, emphasizing the importance of understanding site composition before arrival.
Electrical service limitations: Some cabin and campsite facilities have restricted power options. "I reserved and paid for a premium site which listed 50-amp service and a concrete pad. Nope. Only 30-amp service and no concrete pad," shares Matt S. about a disappointing experience at a nearby campground.
