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Camping opportunities around Highland Park, New Jersey range from established state parks to private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The area features several notable options including Cheesequake State Park Campground with its forested setting and Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold Township, which offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Round Valley State Park Campground provides more primitive camping experiences accessible by boat or hiking trail. The region includes a mix of public and private facilities, with most campgrounds providing basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to drinking water.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from April through October or November. Summer weekends frequently reach capacity, especially at water-adjacent sites. "Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold was my favorite campground on our trip! There's a rustic retro quality to the place. I adored the campsites and didn't see any really bad ones," noted one visitor. Reservations are strongly recommended during peak season. Many campgrounds feature electrical hookups and water access, though amenities vary significantly between public and private facilities. Several campgrounds enforce strict rules regarding alcohol consumption, generator use, and quiet hours, with state parks generally prohibiting alcohol on premises.
Campers report varying experiences with site privacy and noise levels. The established campgrounds near Highland Park typically feature wooded sites that provide some separation between neighbors, though complete seclusion is rare. Several private campgrounds like Pine Cone Resort and Timberland Lake offer additional amenities including swimming pools, playgrounds, and organized activities. Water features represent a significant draw, with fishing opportunities available at Turkey Swamp Park's 17-acre lake and at Round Valley Recreation Area. Proximity to the Garden State Parkway means traffic noise affects some campgrounds, particularly at Cheesequake State Park, which one reviewer described as "fairly well protected from highway noise, [though] you're still going to hear it at least a little."
"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."
from $200 / night
Check Availability"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!"
"Electrical and water are at the outer edge of each site so you might want an extension cord and/or hose."
from $42 - $79 / night
Check Availability"The crystal-clear water is home to huge lake trout and the forests are bursting with wildlife. The sunsets across the lake are to die for."
"Once you get to the campground trail it’s pretty easy going on asphalt surface."
"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."
from $30 - $50 / night
Check Availability"This is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC. It's basically a parking lot with a dump station. Not much else. Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room."
"Basicly a parking lot, but the location can't be beat. 2 ferries that run to Manhattan. Path train is a 12 minute walk away that will take you yyo manhatten."
from $145 - $180 / night
Check Availability"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"
from $35 - $50 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"Despite being conveniently located right off US1 and just 15 to 20 minutes west of I95 – as this retailer is located in a fairly normal-paced suburban location, you are going to like that yes, while there"
ScoutAs 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.
GuideTwo night stay, large loud parties make it hard to enjoy but once most of them left it was nice to walk down to the river. Bath house with toilets and showers, not all lights working. No swimming access but boat access and trails for hiking.
TravelerWe’ve been to Camp Taylor twice now for tent camping: September 2021 and May 2023. We stayed at the rustic tent sites both times, and there was room for 2 cars and 2 tents. Depending on how you want your setup, there are some that are more secluded and others that are close together and would be great for group camping.
The staff are all lovely and take the time to explain the rules both in-person at check-in and on the forms they provide at the time of booking. They are not hiding how seriously they take rules like quiet hours, and it will keep campers like me coming back. If you are respectful of the folks around you and especially during the posted quiet hours, you will have no problems.
The office and shop keep supply of snacks, firewood, and gifts. There are flush toilets mapped in spots of the tent sites (SUCH a pleasant surprise! I was expecting a porta-potty or vault toilet), and hot showers are available at the same complex as the office.
ScoutI spent 4 days and 3 nights with my 6th grade Girl Scouts. We were at sites 23 and 24 which worked out great because they back up against each other. The bathrooms were super clean and well maintained. There are outlets at the bathroom building by the sink to charge any electronics. The playground is adequate and the field is big for playing. There are many things to do close by too like the observatory, Round Valley beach, Grounds for Art, etc. We all really enjoyed ourselves and plan on returning.
ScoutStayed three nights in a tent and enjoyed it very much. Sites have electrical hookups, shared water connections, large picnic table, and fire ring with adjustable grate. Electrical and water are at the outer edge of each site so you might want an extension cord and/or hose. Bathrooms are clean; showers have separate stalls but they’re clustered together (not the most private). There are hiking and biking trails, a lake, and archery park. Staff are friendly. Office is open through 9pm, and firewood, ice, and bait for fishing are available. Site C3 is in an okay spot; it’s close to the bathroom and laundry room, but also right next to the playground. We were able to visit the beach; easy 25 minute drive to Asbury Park.
RangerThis is an A.T. shelter and campsite. First come, first served. Privy was nice. Flat tentsites for 6 or more. Good for Hammocking also.
RangerI've visited the MOC a bunch of times, and have taken training classes here also. There are campsites for tent camping, cabin stays where you can rent a whole cabin or rent a bunk in a cabin with others. There is a store as well as food options. It's a great place to visit whether you grab a meal, a bunk, or just take a hike. The Appalachian Trail crosses through here also.
TravelerBeautiful park and very peaceful. Rangers are super friendly. This is exactly what camping should be.
Scouti stumbled on this searching for something almost immediately off the interstate, but with little-to-no booking available for a reasonable price elsewhere local. we detoured about 25 minutes to get here, and it is just incredible. the scenery is gorgeous, they have a camp store with oodles of stuff, there’s a huge playground, and the camping areas are dispersed well and offer beautiful scenic privacy. i wish i could make this place my home. amenities are well taken care of, they have showers in the bathroom, as well as an on-site laundry facility. they have complimentary wifi, which i appreciate with AT&T. signal is slim to none without it. overall, 5/5 stars from my family.
Camping sites near Highland Park, New Jersey range from primitive wilderness camping to family-friendly grounds with modern amenities. The region sits within the Atlantic Coastal Plain, characterized by relatively flat terrain with elevations rarely exceeding 300 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions between 50-75°F.
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park features an archery range with hay barrels for target practice. "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," notes one visitor to Turkey Swamp Park.
Urban exploration: Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island offers unique abandoned buildings for guided exploration. "There is abandoned buildings here and you can do urban exploring... There are rangers taking you on a trek and exploring the abandoned building," explains a camper at Staten Island — Gateway National Recreation Area, just across from New Jersey.
Mountain biking: Varied trail options from paved paths to challenging single track exist at Allaire State Park. "Lots to do in the area! 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," shares a reviewer at Allaire State Park.
Primitive hiking: Round Valley Recreation Area offers challenging trails leading to wilderness camping. "It's a pretty strenuous hike, but you'll be rewarded for the effort! If you get a site on the water, you can take a boat across to your site," describes a visitor at Round Valley State Park Campground.
Lake activities: Many campgrounds feature fishing and boating opportunities on site. "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," remarks a visitor about Turkey Swamp Park.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathroom facilities matter to campers. "Bath/Shower House: Very clean. Soap and paper towels are provided. The only thing missing were hooks or shelves for toiletries but there was a large bench that could be used," details a recent visitor at Timberland Lake Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Some campgrounds offer unique animal encounters. "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!" explains a camper at Timberland Lake Campground.
Urban proximity: Easy access to New York City appeals to many visitors. "This is a great spot with views of Manhattan, Statue of Liberty, etc. Expect to pay pretty good to be here, but from here you can pretty much easily get anywhere in NYC," reports a camper at Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Wilderness camping requirements: Round Valley requires significant effort to access camping areas. "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... ensure you are wearing proper hiking boots," cautions a visitor at Round Valley State Park Campground.
Seasonal pest concerns: Ticks can be problematic at some locations. "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," warns a camper at Turkey Swamp Park.
Road noise: Highway proximity affects several campgrounds. "The Parkway is right there so it's not a nice quiet place," notes one camper about Cheesequake State Park Campground. Another mentions: "We camped here once because it was easy for part of our family to get to from NYC... you will be able to hear traffic noises."
Urban camping realities: City-adjacent sites offer convenience but different experiences. "This is not your usual forest camp sites, however there are some beautiful views, and it is located in the middle of staten island. When it comes to getting to the usual american camping experience, this is not the place for you," explains a visitor at Staten Island Gateway.
Best child-friendly activities: Some campgrounds specifically cater to children with planned events. "We went camping here last fall. It happened to be the Halloween weekend which was full of excellent activities from pumpkin painting to piñatas and tricker treating," shares a parent who visited Timberland Lake Campground.
Campground playgrounds: Multiple play areas accommodate different age groups. "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office," notes a camper at Turkey Swamp Park.
Beach proximity: Allaire State Park offers easy bicycle access to coastal towns. "Did a weekend bikepacking trip from New Brunswick to Allaire. Big sites that you can hear the highway from. A really nice bike ride to Ocean Grove and other beach towns," explains a camper at Allaire State Park.
Bug-free seasons: Some parks report minimal pest issues during certain times. "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," reports a family that visited Pleasant Valley Lavender in spring.
Site dimensions: Expect varied site sizes across campgrounds. "Sites in Loops B-E all have pull-thru driveways. Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy," reports an RVer at Turkey Swamp Park.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "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 a camper about Turkey Swamp Park.
Hookup limitations: Availability varies significantly between parks. "There is a dump station and laundry facility with brand-new washers and dryers (however, you need to pay using an app on your phone)," mentions a visitor about Turkey Swamp Park.
Urban RV considerations: City-adjacent options offer unique opportunities but come with tradeoffs. "This is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC. It's basically a parking lot with a dump station. Not much else. Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room," advises an RVer about Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Highland Park, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Highland Park, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 93 campgrounds and RV parks near Highland Park, NJ and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Highland Park, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Highland Park, NJ is Cheesequake State Park Campground with a 3.7-star rating from 20 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Highland Park, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Highland Park, NJ.
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